CITY BEAT
Monterey, Calif.
New and Updated
The city of Monterey has purchased six trolleys, which are available to conventions for transportation along the city’s historic wharf area. The Monterey Bay Aquarium marked its 20th anniversary this year by unveiling a new $2.5 million shark exhibit. On the hotel front, the 370-room Doubletree Monterey changed its name to Portolo Plaza Hotel on May 1, following a $1.5 million renovation to its public areas. The 341-room Monterey Marriott will finish a renovation of 170 of its guest rooms by year’s end.
Lexington, Ky.
Expansion Wrap-Up
The Lexington Convention Center will unveil a $55 million expansion and renovation project later this month, which will result in 60,000 square feet of exhibit space and 40,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as a 250-seat auditorium. Also in Lexington, the 291-room Campbell House is nearing completion of a $10 million restoration and renovation project.
CO, Vail Valley
The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera reopens this month following a $5
million renovation, including guest room improvements such as
expanded bathrooms and private patios behind new French doors. Also
new is the 11,000-square-foot sun deck. Renovations of the 2,800
square feet of meeting space include new furniture, lighting and
electronics.
MA, Boston
May saw the opening of the long-awaited Onyx Hotel and Ruby Room in
the North Station area. The 112-room property and its adjoining
lounge contribute a sleek design to the burgeoning neighborhood,
along with 460 square feet of high-end meeting space.
MI, Mackinac Island
The 243-room Mission Point Resort opened for the summer
season in May with refurbished meeting facilities. The property
spent the final phase of a three-year, multimillion-dollar
renovation focusing on its conference rooms, which now have deep
colors and dark woods to show for it. Also new to the property’s
38,000 flexible square feet for meetings is wireless Internet.
Prepared for take-off. The former Radisson Airport
Hotel in Columbus, Ohio, was reopened as the 228-room Columbus
Air-port Marriott in June, following a six-month, $11 million
renovation. The property features a newly marble-floored lobby,
redesigned guest rooms and a refurbished 14,000 square feet of
meeting space, including a 7,430-square-foot conference center.
(614) 475-7551; www.columbusairportmarriott.com
MN, Minneapolis
The Twin Cities Airport is now home to the 257-room Crowne
PlazaMinneapolis Airport West, a newly renovated former Holiday Inn
just minutes away from the Mall of America. Aside from its junior
Olympic-size swimming pool and a posh on-site restaurant called
North, the property also offers more than 4,000 square feet of
meeting space, including a ballroom holding up to 375 people.
NY, New York
The elegant 70 Park Avenue will display $19 million of renovations
when it reopens this month. Formerly the Doral Park Avenue, the
baby- and pet-friendly property will provide 1,200 square feet of
meeting space along with an adjacent 74-seat restaurant and a
40-seat lounge.
NJ, Atlantic City
Resorts has upped the ante with its $125 million Rendezvous Tower.
Unveiled this month, the structure adds 479 guest rooms (for a
total of 836) as well as 14,000 square feet of gaming space (for a
total of 100,000). For meetings, the property offers 39,000 square
feet.
OR, Gleneden Beach
After a yearlong makeover, the Salishan Lodge and Golf Resort
reopened in June with repainted guest rooms and a $3 million
upgrade to the golf course. The 105-seat Cedar Tree Restaurant has
been rededicated for meetings, boosting meeting space to more than
13,000 square feet. Expected in late 2004: an all-new
European-style day spa.