Stay up to date on the latest venue openings and property renovations, including these found in the South.
Florida
An iconic South Florida property will become an independent resort yet again. Deflagged from the Waldorf-Astoria/Hilton, The Boca Raton will return to its former name later this year after a phase one, $175-million physical transformation is complete.
The resort, which originally opened in 1926 as The Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn, will feature a collection of five hotels, each with its own personality and style. They include the Beach Club, an oceanfront hotel with a Mediterranean dining concept; Bungalows, ideal for extended stays; the Yacht Club, an adults-only, all-suite luxury hotel; Cloister, located in the heart of the property; and Tower, a 27-story tower that serves as a luxury hotel with two- and three-bedroom suites.
A new event and education center has opened in Wynwood, Miami’s arts and culture district. From Constellation Culinary group, the SGWS Wynwood is a 17,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, multipurpose venue with a focus on hospitality and education. It offers four event spaces, including the Mixology Lounge, which features an expansive 30-foot bar and is ideal for a seated or reception-style event, as well as mixology courses.
SGWS Wynwood also offers a Demonstration Kitchen led by Constellation Culinary Group’s culinary team, a Tasting Room and a Founder’s Room for intimate dinners, meetings, wine tastings and more.
The design of the space incorporates the industrial style found throughout Wynwood with warm neutral tones and natural light.
Texas
In August, the 214-room Hilton Garden Inn Austin University Capitol District opened in the heart of downtown Austin. The hotel aims to appeal to today’s modern traveler, with several work and lounge areas that extend onto an outdoor patio, a ground-level bar and restaurant, a second-floor breakfast room and meeting space, and an expansive rooftop deck and dual indoor/outdoor meeting and event space.
Led by Studio 11 Design, the hotel’s design captures the colorful vibe of Austin, with textured wall coverings, artful lighting, curated artwork and eccentric furniture.
In all, the property features more than 4,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, including the 17th floor rooftop terrace that offers plenty of stunning views.
Tennessee
Music City welcomed Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville to its SoBro neighborhood in late July. It’s located two blocks off the iconic Broadway Street and features 252 guest rooms, including 11 suites, and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Cumberland River.
The hotel’s ninth floor holds Nashville’s newest rooftop pool and bar, as well as a fitness center, two lounge areas and meeting rooms with individual outdoor terraces. Planners can work with 7,600 square feet of meeting and event space conveniently located on one floor, including the 2,000-square-foot Mandolin Ballroom.
Blossom Makes Its North American Debut in Houston
Later this year, a new 16-story luxury hotel will debut in Houston. Blossom Hotel Houston, neighboring the Texas Medical Center, offers 267 guest rooms and suites, a rooftop pool and lounge, and more than 9,000 square feet of meeting and event space. This will be the first Blossom property in North America, as its ownership group is based in China.
As a nod to Houston’s Space City nickname, the hotel features a lunar-inspired design and color palettes. The meeting spaces also feature lunar-inspired names as a way to allude to the property’s connection to local aerospace history and its international appeal.
By the end of 2021, Blossom Hotel Houston plans to offer three dining concepts, that include a more casual concept and two fine-dining restaurants each led by Michelin-starred chefs.
Plus, the property is already giving back to the community. During Houston’s damaging winter storms earlier this year, the hotel team, led by owner Charlie Wang, aided employees and the surrounding community by offering Wang’s construction company to fix busted pipes. Wang personally covered the full cost for at least 120 families.
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