Florida
The Grove Resort & Spa, an 878-all-suite property in Orlando, is scheduled to open its first phase in the fall with two- and three-bedroom residential-style guest suites. Part of Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, the resort will feature a waterpark with a surf simulator, a spa and a variety of food and beverage outlets, including the 221-seat, indoor/outdoor restaurant, Valencia. The 6,000 square feet of meeting space includes indoor meeting rooms and poolside, lawn and outdoor venues for groups up to 300 people.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort began a $5 million renovation of its 329,000 square feet of meeting space. The refresh of all the meeting rooms at both the Swan and Dolphin hotels include updated carpet and paint, along with the installation of new technology. The work will occur in phases to not impact group programs and is scheduled to be completed in December. The meeting space remodel is part of the hotel’s multiphase, multiyear $140 million redesign project that also includes the transformation of all 2,267 guest rooms at the resort. In 2015, the Swan guest rooms were completed and the Dolphin Hotel guest rooms are scheduled for completion by the end of 2017. The property is located at Walt Disney World Resort and the 84 meeting rooms include two executive boardrooms, four ballroom options, 110,500 square feet of convention and exhibit space, outdoor function areas, two business centers and complimentary transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.
W Miami, formerly Viceroy Miami, opened at the Icon Brickell, a mixed-use development. The hotel offers 148 guest rooms as well as 38 residential units serviced by the hotel. The property will undergo a renovation to add the brand’s W Living Room on the 50th floor with views of Biscayne Bay and the 50th-floor rooftop will be transformed into a cocktail lounge and pool deck. The hotel features 4,100 square feet of meeting and event space, including the 2,600-square-foot Great Room. Groups will also be able to use the W Living Room for private events.
DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld announced it will add a 40,000-square-foot conference center and event space with indoor and outdoor options. The 1,000-room property, which is within walking distance to the Orange County Convention Center, will be able to accommodate groups up to 2,000. The existing 60,000 square feet of conference center space, which includes 36 meeting rooms and seven outdoor venues, will also be upgraded during the renovation and expansion.
North Carolina
Starwood Hotels & Resorts opened the Aloft Raleigh-Durham Airport Brier Creek. The property is located near the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Research Triangle. The 144-room hotel features SPG Keyless, Starwood’s keyless entry system that allows guests to use their smartphones as a room key. There is 2,000 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate up to 150 people. Live music will be offered at the brand’s W XYZ Bar and a grab-and-go food and beverage area is also on-property.
Texas
The 145-room Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Carrollton and Conference Center opened in May. The hotel offers 19,000 square feet of meeting space, including 11 meeting rooms and 6,000 square feet of prefunction space. The 10,000-square-foot Carrollton Grand Ballroom can accommodate nearly 900 attendees. The new hotel features the brand’s Refreshing Business lobby, equipped with media pods and a selection of different seating areas.