California
San Francisco’s Westin St. Francis completed a renovation of 50,000 square feet of meeting and event space in both its Landmark and Tower buildings. The renovation of 30 meeting spaces included the 10,600-square-foot Grand Ballroom and the Colonial Room, which features classic Italian murals, candelabras and gold-leafed columns separating opera balconies. The 1,195-room hotel opened in 1904 on Union Square and the Edwardian and Art Deco-era patterns and motifs found within the architecture of the spaces helped inspire the new design.
Viceroy Hotel Group announced the opening of Hotel Zeppelin San Francisco in spring 2016. The historic building is located downtown two blocks from Union Square in the heart of the city’s theater district. The design of the hotel is inspired by San Franciscan artists, writers, poets and musicians. The hotel will feature a game lounge and offer a cafe curated by Bulldog Coffee, serving Bay Area favorites such as Sightglass Coffee, Dynamo Donuts and provisions from Jane bakery. The196-room property, formerly the Prescott Hotel, will have 3,000 square feet of meeting space over three rooms.
Colorado
The Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center is expected to open in spring 2016. The 249-room hotel is located adjacent to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, a hub for medical research and development, and offers easy access to Denver International Airport. The hotel and conference center is certified under the International Association of Conference Centres and offers over 30,000 square feet of meeting space and a full-service restaurant and lounge with a large outdoor patio.
Hawaii
The Aston Aloha Beach Hotel on Kauai is undergoing a major renovation as it prepares for a reopening as the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay in spring 2016. Improvements are being made to its 216 guest rooms, lobby, 5,000 square feet of meeting space, exteriors, fitness center, indoor pool and 24-hour business center. The property is located beachfront, next to the Wailua River and nearby Kapaa town and the airport in Lihue. The meeting space includes three meeting rooms and The Palms Deck, which offers outdoor seating. The 4,140-square-foot Kuhio Ballroom can host 350 attendees.
Nevada
Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Convention Center completed its expansion with the opening of the 70,000-square-foot Oceanside Ballroom. The expansion included 350,000 square feet of new exhibit space, a 20,000-square-foot foyer and underground parking. In total, the property’s convention center now offers more than 2 million square feet. High-density Wi-Fi has been added to the new space to accommodate more users. The system’s benefits include the convenience of a one-time log-in for attendees during their stay and seamless connectivity throughout the property from the convention center and public indoor and outdoor spaces to guest rooms. The sprawling Strip-located resort offers three hotels: the 3,211-room Mandalay Bay, the 424-room Four Seasons Hotel and the all-suite Delano Las Vegas.
New Mexico
The Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Albuquerque Airport opened with 91 guest rooms. The hotel offers 1,605 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate up to 70 and features the brand’s Perfect Mix Lobby and an indoor pool. The property is located five miles from the Albuquerque Convention Center and Kirkland Air Force Base, and near the University of New Mexico and downtown Albuquerque.
Washington
Loews Hotels & Resorts purchased the 120-room Hotel 1000, located in downtown Seattle near Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum and the historic Pioneer Square. The property features 6,000 square feet of meeting space, including the nearly 1,900-square-foot Great Room which can hold 200 guests and the outdoor terrace which is available year-round. The Front Room and Corner Room, both about 1,300 square feet, overlook the lobby’s blown glass chandelier. The Library, Parlor Room and Boardroom offers space for smaller gatherings.