Maryland
Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel & Executive Meeting Center completed the revamp of all of its 315 guest rooms, meeting and event spaces, public areas and fitness center. The renovation also included adding 10,000 square feet of meeting space, so the property now has 35,000 square feet across 25 meeting rooms, including 14 conference rooms, an 8,000-square-foot atrium space for events and on-site parking for up to eight buses. The guest rooms have new carpet and furniture, the lobby now features a freestanding check-in area and the new Pike Cafe has indoor and outdoor seating.
New Jersey
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa will unveil its 18,000-square-foot Central Conference Center in May. The $11 million venue brings the resort’s total event space to 106,000 square feet. The two-story conference center features five meeting rooms, a boardroom and an office all on the lower level and a 6,500-square-foot ballroom on the upper level. Borgata Executive Chef Tom Biglan will manage the culinary program for the center with Executive Pastry Chef Thaddeus DuBois overseeing the pastry program.
Pennsylvania
The 207-room Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown opened in the city’s Federal Reserve Bank building. Many of the historic details of the property have been maintained, such as three cast-aluminum figures located above the first story windows that represent mining, agriculture and commerce and industry. In addition, the former main banking room is now public and dining space, and the former eighth floor firing range was converted into a swimming pool. The two basement bank vaults were converted into meeting rooms, totaling 4,500 square feet of space.
Rhode Island
Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina debuted in the former Hyatt Regency Newport hotel. The resort features 257 guest rooms, multiple event venues and a full-service spa as well as year-round and seasonal food and beverage outlets. Throughout the year, renovations will include a refreshed lobby and room design, a new marina, an expanded pool deck and Pool Club, and the addition of Scarpetta restaurant in May. The property offers 27,000 square feet of indoor meeting space as well as 50,000 square feet of outdoor space.
Washington, D.C.
Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown unveiled a $27 million renovation. Phase I of the refurbishment encompassed all 413 guest rooms, including the Fairmont Gold Floor. The amphitheater was converted into the 2,900-square-foot Kennedy Ballroom, adjacent to the grand ballroom. Overall, the property offers 29,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Phase II of the redesign included the entire lobby, loggia and courtyard garden.