Arizona
The Scottsdale Plaza Resort completed renovations of its standard guest rooms. Bathtubs were replaced by glass-walled showers and vanity and closet areas were expanded. Communal seating and fire pits by the main pool area were also added. The resort is currently undergoing upgrades to its villa, bi-level and patio suites, which include new furniture, artwork and lighting in the living room areas. All renovations are expected to be complete in fall 2016. Overall the property features 404 guest rooms and 40,000 square feet of meeting space, including 21 meeting rooms, 58 meeting suites and three outdoor venues.
California
Harrah’s Resort Southern California began construction on a $14 million expansion that will include the addition of an in-house brewery, SR76, as well as 22 new guest rooms, four meeting rooms, a new dining option, a fresh juice and smoothie bar, a new fitness center and a renovation of the spa. SR76, the first casino and Native American-owned craft brewery in Southern California, is named after State Road 76, which was the original trail the tribe used to migrate to and from the coast. The brewery is expecting to produce 15 to 20 brews throughout the year, with tastings and tours available. The 22 new guest rooms will be wellness-minded, featuring Vitamin C-infused showers, aromatherapy and yoga mats, and other fitness equipment will be available. The four new meeting rooms will add 2,633 square feet of space in the resort’s South Tower and bring the total number of meeting rooms to 25. The on-site event center offers 23,000 square feet of space with seating for 2,200 people.
The Residence Inn at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center debuted with 294 suites. The property is located within walking distance of the Anaheim Convention Center, Disneyland, Downtown Disney and Disney California Adventure. The contemporary suites are designed to feel like home, and each features a full kitchen. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast, a food and beverage market, a full-service bar, a fitness center and laundry facilities, as well as a boardroom for 12 and a business library. The property’s rooftop features a pool, cabanas and fire pits.
Hawaii
The 806-room Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa is undergoing an expansion and update of its Monarchy Ballroom and transformation of a former garden to an outdoor event and social space. The debut of the resort’s expansion, along with a new Regency Club Lounge, is expected for fall 2016. The Monarchy Ballroom will offer over 18,000 square feet with the ability to be divided into seven breakout rooms, and will lead into an open-air prefunction space. An outdoor area will be added and improved lighting and air quality features will help reduce energy usage. The new elevated 9,500-square-foot outdoor event space, the Halona Kai event lawn, will have views of Ka’anapali Beach and the Pacific Ocean, with a capacity for up to 500 guests. The resort currently features over 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space.
Washington
The W Seattle completed a $18 million renovation. Upgrades to its 424 guest rooms and suites marked the end of the property’s multiphase renovation, which included the Living Room, the brand’s version of a lobby, Trace restaurant and meeting spaces. The renovation designs were inspired by the property’s Pacific Northwest location and Native American culture, with wooden lodge poles and tree-ringed flooring in the entry, alongside a DJ booth made from an airplane turbine, a nod to Seattle’s aviation and music history. Also honoring the city’s music scene, the hotel will debut the brand’s first W Sound Suite in North America. The suite will serve as a music studio for recording artists, studio musicians and other hotel guests. The hotel offers 10,000 square feet of meeting space, including 11 meeting rooms and the 4,500-square-foot Great Room.