Illinois
Doubletree by Hilton Chicago Wood Dale–Elk Grove completed a multimillion-dollar refresh that includes guest rooms, meeting and public space. Art advisors NINE dot ARTS curated works of art, many from local Chicagoland artists, which can be seen throughout the property. The 160-room hotel offers 2,700 square feet of meeting space, an indoor pool, a market and an all-day dining restaurant, The Garden. Groups can use the Garden Patio, Library and Lounge space or one of its six meeting rooms for functions of up to 150 guests.
Michigan
DoubleTree by Hilton Detroit-Novi completed a $3.5 million hotel transformation that included updates to rooms and suites, meeting spaces and its outdoor courtyard. The 148 guest rooms now feature new furniture, bedding and art, as well as upgraded bathrooms. The hotel’s 2,700 square feet of meeting space can accommodate up to 200 people and the outdoor courtyard, equipped with fire pits, furniture and a patio, can also be used for events.
JW Marriott Grand Rapids unveiled its renovated guest rooms and common areas in time for its 10th anniversary in 2017. The 340 rooms were upgraded with new drapes, carpets and wall vinyl. The design features plum and gold tones that complement the “Sister Cities” artwork in each room. Photographer Dan Watts photographed the six sister cities of Grand Rapids to create a collection for both public and private areas of the hotel. The property offers nearly 27,700 square feet of meeting space, including 12 meeting rooms and a 12,320-square-foot ballroom.
Minnesota
Hyatt Place St. Paul/Downtown, the first Hyatt Place in the city, opened in the recently restored Custom House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel offers 149 guest rooms and 2,900 square feet of meeting and function space. Located in the Lowertown neighborhood, the hotel is near Mears Park, CHS Field and Xcel Energy Center and is across from the Union Depot transportation center.
The 116-suite Residence Inn St. Paul Woodbury opened. The property, located 10 minutes from downtown St. Paul and 20 minutes from Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport, offers convenient access to Bielenberg Sports Complex, 3M World Headquarters and the Mall of America. The all-suite hotel features studio, one- and two-bedroom suites, public spaces designed for working and gathering, a market and MIXO, the brand’s lounge space. There is a business library on-site along with a 525-square-foot meeting room. www.marriott.com
Missouri
The St. Louis Union Station Hotel is now part of Curio Collection by Hilton following a $40 million renovation. St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton offers 539 guest rooms in what was once the largest railway terminals in the U.S., and some guest room floors are designed and furnished with a railroad theme. Built in 1894 and converted to a hotel in 1985, the Grand Hall, a lobby lounge area, features 65-foot vaulted ceilings that now have a 3D light show projected nightly. The property has 100,000 square feet of meeting space, including the Midway Hall with 43,000 square feet of exhibit or reception space and a 16,200-square-foot ballroom.
Ohio
Embassy Suites by Hilton Cincinnati–Northeast reveled a property-wide renovation. The 238 suites feature an additional 2,000 square feet and a new design. The hotel now has an open concept with an atrium for guests to gather as well as for events of up to 150 people. There is 6,500 square feet of meeting space, including two boardrooms with built-in media hubs and a redesigned 4,800-square-foot ballroom that can accommodate 500 guests. The property is located in Blue Ash, a business district with convenient access to both attractions and businesses.
Wisconsin
The Grand Geneva Resort & Spa will open new, all-season villas on the property. 29 villas will be added to the Grand Geneva campus, which currently includes 355 guest rooms at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa and 225 suites at Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark, offering over 600 guest accommodations in total. The villas will feature studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, each with a full kitchen, fireplace, washer and dryer and will be located adjacent to the WELL Spa + Salon. Half are scheduled to be available March 2017 and the remaining units will be open by June 2017. The property offers 62,000 square feet of meeting space for groups of up to 1,500.