Florida
The recently opened DoubleTree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront is located directly on the Riverwalk and offers 293 guest rooms. There is 12,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 4,600-square-foot ballroom and 19 meeting rooms that offer floor-to-ceiling views of the St. John River. The hotel features two restaurants, the new and more casual St. John’s Provision Co., and Ruth’s Chris Steak House, as well as two lounges.
The 156-room Pelican Grand Beach Resort completed an expansion doubling its on-property meeting and event space to 10,150 square feet. The expansion of the Fort Lauderdale property added two oceanfront ballrooms and terraces, as well as two new penthouses. The 1,400-square-foot Atlantic Ballroom can accommodate up to 120 and the Atlantic Terrace is a 2,678-square-foot rooftop space. Also new is the 11th floor, 2,055-square-fooot Ocean View Ballroom and Ocean View Terrace and Gazebo, which can accommodate 150.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is scheduled to reveal property-wide renovations. The upgrades include all 266 guest rooms, the lobby, a new Club Level and Lounge, and all meeting spaces, including the 12,000-square-foot ballroom. The redesign of the ballroom and five meeting rooms was inspired by the Ca’ d’Zan, the Sarasota home of American circus owner John Ringling, and totals 26,000 square feet of indoor space.
North Carolina
Courtyard by Marriott Jacksonville opened in Jacksonville, N.C., in September. The 112-room hotel features the brand’s Refreshing Business lobby, which offers a space for work or social gatherings. There is over 8,200 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom, prefunction space, breakout rooms and a private outdoor area. The property can accommodate over 500 theater-style and almost 400 reception-style.
The 150-room DoubleTree by Hilton Winston Salem-University debuted two miles from Wake Forest University. The hotel, formally independently owned, completed a property-wide renovation prior to opening. All guest rooms, the lobby, the restaurant and bar and meeting facilities were included in the upgrade. There are seven meeting rooms totaling 6,000 square feet. The 3,105-square-foot Serendipity Ballroom can accommodate up to 400.
Texas
Marriott International announced a duel-brand opening in Abilene. The 76-room TownePlace Suites Abilene Northeast and 76-room Courtyard by Marriott Abilene Northeast offer two options in one location with shared amenities. Suited for longer stays, TownePlace Suites offers suites with separate living/working, kitchen and sleeping areas. The Courtyard by Marriott features The Bistro for food and beverage and a touch-screen GoBoard concierge. The properties share 1,100 square feet of meeting space.