ILLINOIS
The historic 1,544-room Hilton Chicago, located on Michigan Avenue across from Grant Park, announced the completion of a $7 million renovation. The newest revamp enhanced the third-floor meeting spaces and Salon C in the Stevens Meeting Center and was the last step in a $150 million restoration initiative. The renovation brings a full transformation to the Hilton Chicago’s third floor, home to seven separate meeting rooms ideal for small meetings to medium-sized conferences accommodating up to 850 guests. Spanning over 28,000 square feet, Salon C is one of four meeting rooms in the 119,000-square-foot Stevens Meeting Center. In total, the Hilton Chicago offers 234,000 square feet of meeting space.
MICHIGAN
Rendezvous, now open at the Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton in Grand Rapids, is the hotel’s newest culinary destination. The eatery and lounge will transition from day to night, offering an “inviting breakfast experience” in the morning and “a seductive lounge setting” in the evening. Set within the main lobby of the landmark meetings hotel, Rendezvous’ bespoke interior design is said to offer a glamorous yet warm aesthetic with black and gold accent details. Three dark wood communal tables with seating for up to 10 act as the centerpieces for the space and offer a social experience that encourages networking.
OHIO
The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland completed a massive, 18-month transformation of its 206 luxury guest rooms and public spaces, adding a contemporary new elegance to the hotel. The renovation effort was led by Detroit-based developer Bedrock and included the opening of a new restaurant and gathering spot, TURN Bar + Kitchen, and Core, a fitness center built for “the most demanding of road warriors.” The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland contains more than 19,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
The AC Hotel Cincinnati at the Banks opened its doors across from the Great American Ball Park in The Banks development, a mixed-use office, retail and residential space that houses the Cincinnati Reds, the Cincinnati Bengals, GE’s Global Operations Headquarters and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The 171-room hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi and a fitness center. Three meeting spaces with the latest in audiovisual equipment are also available for smaller groups to utilize.
Graduate Columbus is slated to open in spring 2019 in the Short North neighborhood of Columbus. The property, formerly an affordable housing complex and now vacant, will begin renovations in spring 2018 to be converted into a hotel with 171 guest rooms, 4,000 square feet of meeting space, two food and beverage outlets and ground floor retail space. Once finished, the hotel will provide easy access to Ohio State University and downtown Columbus.