Illinois
The Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center unveiled its newest restaurant, B. The new 167-seat dining outlet focuses on farm-to-table cuisine with an emphasis on local, fresh and seasonal ingredients, many which Executive Chef Sean Patrick Curry sources from the property’s 2,000-square-foot Chef’s Garden as well as Midwestern farms and purveyors. The 386-room property offers 42,500 square feet of meeting space, including 36 meeting rooms and a 13,400 square-foot ballroom.
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago completed phase one of a multiphase renovation with several enhancements, including a brand-new Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, redesigned guest room corridors and an upgraded fitness center. The 2,600-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge is located on the 15th floor and has views of the Water Tower, Magnificent Mile and Lake Michigan. There will be a dedicated Club Concierge Team and opportunities such as exclusive access to Chicago’s culture and cuisine through local wine and brewery partnerships. The 434-room hotel offers 25,000 square feet of meeting space, Deca Restaurant and Bar and The Dec, a rooftop lounge and bar.
Minnesota
Embassy Suites Minneapolis Downtown opened in the historic Plymouth Building. The 290-suite hotel is directly linked to the Minneapolis Skywalk System, offering easy access to offices, restaurants, shops, the Target Center and the Minneapolis Convention Center. The hotel, formerly a multiuse office building, underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation and the new design pays homage to the building’s original Beaux-Arts architecture. The property offers 12,600 square feet of meeting space, including the 4,360-square-foot Plymouth Ballroom that can accommodate up to 400 guests.
Missouri
A combined 153-room Courtyard hotel and 108-suite Residence Inn opened in Kansas City. The 10-story property will share an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center and 3,050 square feet of meeting and event space to accommodate functions for up to 300 people. The 153-room Courtyard Kansas City Downtown/Convention Center and the 108-room Residence Inn Kansas City Downtown/Convention Center are located downtown in the Crossroads Art District on the new Kansas City Streetcar route, providing convenient access to the Sprint Center and the Kansas City Convention Center/Bartle Hall as well as the city’s trendy Power & Light District.
Sheraton Suites at Country Club Plaza unveiled a multimillion-dollar renovation. The 257-room hotel now features a new lobby and The Gallery restaurant, upgraded guest rooms and a redesigned Sheraton Club Lounge. In addition, its 2,900 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom that can accommodate 100 guests, was also redesigned with new lighting and furniture.
Wisconsin
Paloma Resort Properties announced the completion of the second phase of extensive renovations to The Ridge Hotel, a 90-acre property formerly known as Geneva Ridge Resort. The hotel’s upgrades include new dining and drinking concepts, remodeled lobby, reception area and public spaces, as well as an enhanced fitness facility. This initial phase of improvements included the addition of a veranda and lounge, a sports bar at the pool overlooking the lake, and the 4,100-square-foot Aspen Ballroom with French doors opening out to the patio. The property’s 10,000 square feet of meeting space also includes a smaller ballroom, two meeting rooms and the outdoor patio and pavilion.