The Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale, reopen­ed in February after a major revamp. All 433 guest rooms were redone, and an 8,100-square-foot spa was added. The hotel offers a grand total of 32,000 square feet of meeting space. (954) 467-1111; starwoodhotels.com

After two decades of efforts by Broward County tourism officials to land a convention center hotel, last summer financing was approved for a 27-story Hilton-branded property, to be the area's largest hotel. It will be built on 33 acres adjacent to the 600,000-square-foot Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, along the northern border of Port Everglades and 1.5 miles from Greater Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Inter­national Airport. Plans call for an estimated 1,000 rooms, as well as 50,000 square feet of meeting space, a 12,000-square-foot spa, an infinity pool overlooking the water and various options for outdoor dining. The hotel will be constructed to LEED Silver certification standards, and all guest rooms will have a view of the Intercoastal Waterway. The property is slated to open sometime in 2012.