CITY BEAT 8-1-2003

Meetings & Conventions: Newsline newsline.gif (8042 bytes) CITY BEATAnchorage
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BOOM IN HOTEL ROOMS
Stargazers and nature-lovers who flock to rugged Alaska have never had more places to stay, particularly in this city. The 125-room Hilton Garden Inn opened recently in the city’s business district. The new property comes on the heels of the 109-room Dimond Center Hotel, which opened last summer. At least five more hotels are planned for the near future, boosting the city’s room count to more than 6,000.

Huntsville, Ala.
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NEW HOTEL GOING UP
Home to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville will have a new star in its hotel portfolio. John Q. Hammons is building a $40 million, 300-room Embassy Suites Hotel, to be connected to the Von Braun Center. A grand opening for the property is set for fall 2005. Meanwhile, this month the 290-room Huntsville Marriott wraps up nearly $2 million in renovations of guest rooms and meeting space. And, in October, the city unveils its new visitors center.