Illinois
Chicago’s The Talbott Hotel closed in January for extensive renovations with a reopening scheduled for May. This is the largest update in the history of the now-Joie de Vivre property, which was built in 1927. New guest rooms will bring the total from 149 to 179 and all public areas, including the lobby and meeting and event spaces, will also be upgraded. A new dining outlet and fitness center will be added to the hotel. Its 1,900 square feet of meeting space includes the Delaware Room, which can accommodate 200 guests.
Four Points by Sheraton Buffalo Grove opened in the northwest Chicago suburb. Amenities include a pool, 24-hour fitness center, business center and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property. The hotel offers 152 guest rooms and 1,280 square feet of meeting space, including the nearly 1,000-square-foot Lake Cook room, which can accommodate 200 guests or be divided into two. There is a full-service restaurant and the hotel’s lounge features the brand’s Best Brews and BBQ, program which offers local beers and seasonal barbecue-style appetizers.
Michigan
The Radisson Hotel Detroit Metro Airport opened after a property-wide renovation. The 272-room hotel has a new sleek and modern look as well as an updated pool, restaurant and fitness center. There is nearly 15,000 square feet of meeting space, including eight rooms and the Great Lakes Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 520 guests or be divided for smaller events. mETRO pOLIS is the casual on-site restaurant and lounge that offers a twist on classic dishes. The property is located near Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and offers complimentary shuttle service and parking.
Minnesota
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Fergus Falls opened and is connected to the Bigwood Event Center. The center offers 12,000 square feet of space for meetings and events, including the 7,200-square-foot Wright Ballroom that can accommodate 600 people or be divided into smaller boardrooms. The hotel features an indoor pool, fitness center and Z103 Bar & Grill, which offers casual food and drink. The hotel will undergo further renovations in 2017.
AJ Capital Partners acquired The Commons Hotel and the property will undergo a conversion into a Graduate Hotel. The eight-story, 304-room property is located at the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. The hotel features 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a fitness center and The Beacon Public House restaurant and bar. The function space includes a 5,200-square-foot ballroom that can accommodate 600 guests or be divided into two smaller spaces. There is also a smaller ballroom, 10 meeting rooms, a boardroom and two patios. The property offers direct indoor access to the university’s McNamara Alumni/Conference Center. The hotel will undergo a renovation that will include updates to all guest rooms, common areas, meeting and event spaces and the lobby. In addition, Graduate Hotels will introduce a new locally centric food and beverage program.
Ohio
Four Points by Sheraton Cleveland Airport, the brand’s first in the city, opened, offering easy access to Progressive Field, FirstEnergy Stadium and the University of Cleveland as well as Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The property features 147 guest rooms and 6,500 square feet of meeting space. There are seven function spaces that can accommodate up to 300 attendees, including the 3,000-square-foot Skyline Ballroom on the hotel’s top floor that can be divided and has an adjacent prefunction space. There is also another ballroom on the property’s main floor along with breakout rooms and a boardroom. Other amenities include an indoor pool, a business center and a full-service restaurant and bar.