Maryland
The Annapolis Waterfront Hotel is now part of the Autograph Collection. Previously operated as the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront, the 150-room hotel renovated its guest rooms, lobby and public spaces with a nautically inspired design. The 6,560-square-foot patio, which can be tented for events, was also revamped with new fire pits, seating and landscaping. The property features 8,300 square feet of event space, including a 3,850-square-foot ballroom that can accommodate up to 600 reception-style.
DoubleTree by Hilton Laurel opened, located between Washington and Baltimore. The property completed a transformation from the former Holiday Inn Laurel West, including a redesign of the lobby, all 208 guest rooms and meeting spaces. The six-story hotel has a contemporary design and a new restaurant, All American Sports Grille, open for all-day dining. There is 13,000 square feet of meeting space including nine meeting and event rooms. The Maryland Ballroom can accommodate up to 350.
New York
The Renaissance Albany Hotel opened downtown across from the New York State Capitol after a $48 million renovation. The 204-room hotel’s renovations are part of the brand’s new “Wanderlust” design strategy, to help appeal to the millennial business traveler. The hotel will eventually be connected to the Albany Capitol Center, the new convention center planned for the city. The property was once home to the historic DeWitt Clinton Hotel, and historic pieces, like the 12 murals that depict scenes from the Revolutionary War, the Erie Canal and the city’s Dutch history, are featured throughout. There is 8,505 square feet of meeting space, including the 3,400-square-foot DeWitt Ballroom, which can hold 340 people.
The Royal Regency Hotel in Yonkers reopened after a property-wide renovation and brand transformation. The rebranding included a new logo, website and marketing materials. The redesign included the hotel’s 88 guest rooms, five suites, lobby, reception area and meeting and event spaces. The hotel has over 11,300 square feet of meeting space, including the Diamond and Opal Rooms, which combine to total 6,590 square feet and can accommodate up to 700 theater-style and 500 for a banquet.
Ontario
The DoubleTree by Hilton London Ontario opened following a $10 million property-wide renovation of the Hilton London Ontario. The 323-room hotel is the city’s largest convention hotel and is connected to the London Convention Centre. There are 18 meeting rooms, including a ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,200 people. Overall, the property features 30,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel offers a Meetings Simplified by DoubleTree by Hilton package for smaller groups.
Washington, D.C.
Red Lion Hotels Corporation opened Hotel RL Washington DC a few blocks from Dupont Circle and The White House. $2.3 million will be invested into the 99-room hotel to incorporate new technology and to create Steps, a lobby concept with plenty of seating and plug-ins so guests can meet in the space while remaining connected to their devices, creating a coffee house feel. There are two meeting spaces, totaling 1,350 square feet.