Florida
The Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort wrapped a three-year, $140 million renovation project that featured the redesign of all of its guest rooms, a complete transformation of its lobby and a renovation of all of its meeting space. Its 2,267 guest rooms were redesigned to reflect the resort’s water-themed architecture, with technology upgrades that included the addition of more outlets and USB ports for charging devices, as well as new high-definition TVs; the Dolphin Resort lobby now features a geometric ceiling, enhanced lighting and double the amount of seating, with a grand chandelier as the centerpiece; and the resort unveiled a new 2,800-square-foot meeting and event space, Lake View, along with significant upgrades to all of its 332,000 square feet of meeting space and the latest in high-density Wi-Fi for groups of up to 15,000 people.
Simon Property Group plans to open a new 170-room AC Hotels by Marriott property adjacent to its massive Sawgrass Mills complex in Sunrise. The hotel will be the first built in Sunrise in 15 years and AC Hotels by Marriott’s first property in Broward County. The hotel will offer 5,000 square feet of meet space, an arts-inspired decor and a rooftop water feature. Other new hotels in Broward county include the just-opened 290-suite Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach and a 130-room Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale, planned to open in 2020, according to the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel.
North Carolina
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is set to open the 18-story Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel in uptown Charlotte this fall. The 217-room boutique hotel is Kimpton’s first in Charlotte and its second in North Carolina. Surrounded by uptown’s vibrant arts, culture, retail, sports and entertainment, the property will feature a signature ground-floor restaurant and more than 9,000 square feet of meetings and events space, including a 4,000-square-foot ballroom. The hotel’s 1,100-square-foot rooftop bar, offering views of the city and a retractable roof, will serve as an events venue.
Texas
The Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel opened in September. The 304-room, 15-story hotel is within the walkable epicenter of the $3 billion Legacy West urban mixed-use project, a recently opened development that boasts the North American headquarters of Toyota, U.S. headquarters of JC Penney and Frito-Lay, and the regional headquarters of FedEx Office. The property offers 30,000 square feet of conference and meeting space; a state-of-the-art fitness center; three restaurant options; a club level with a lounge; and an amenity deck with a heated pool, cabanas, outdoor bar, grill and event space.