Located on Boylston Street in Boston's Back Bay area, the The Mandarin Oriental, Boston opened its doors on October 6. The 14-story hotel features 136 guest rooms and 12 suites as well as a 16,000-square-foot spa and fitness center. The Mandarin's 10,000 square feet of function space — all located on the second level, with access either by staircase or elevator — can host gatherings of from 12 to 600 attendees. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light. The 4,200-square-foot Oriental Ballroom, which holds up to 600 guests for a reception or 380 for a seated banquet, is paneled with satinwood and trimmed in mahogany. The 1,280-square-foot Bangkok room can accommodate up to 150 people; for smaller groups, the hotel offers the 670-square-foot Beijing room and the 525-square-foot Hong Kong boardroom.

Venue News

Openings

Atlantis, The Palm

The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

The News: This $1.5 billion resort opened in September on The Palm Jumeirah, the smallest of three man-made islands on Dubai's coast. The resort features Aquaventure (a water-themed attraction); fresh and saltwater pools; stretches of beach; a marine habitat; retail boutiques; 17 restaurants, bars, and lounges; a nightclub, a spa and fitness center; and more than 60,000 square feet of meeting and function space. Each of the 1,539 guest rooms and suites in the Royal Towers has private balconies and views of the Arabian Gulf or The Palm Jumeirah. The resort's 20,400-square-foot spa offers treatments derived from the Middle East and the Amazon rain forest. Guests access the resort by a six-lane underwater vehicle tunnel, which surfaces next to the property, or via a monorail that transports guests directly to the resort.

The Broadmoor

Colorado Springs, Colo.

The News: Construction is under way on the Broadmoor Cottages.

Specs: Five eight-unit buildings and one four-unit building with 6,300 square feet per complex. Cottage-style interiors will feature parlors with high beamed ceilings, wood floors, natural stone fireplaces, and custom stone and ceramic baths with heated floors. Accommodations range from single room suites to an eight-bedroom cottage. The project will bring accommodations at the Broadmoor to 744.

Extra: Sited to overlook 18th fairway of the East Course and provide views of Cheyenne Mountain, the cottages will feature expansive verandas with wicker chairs and rockers.

Time Line: Expected to be complete in May 2009

La Costa Resort and Spa

Carlsbad, Calif.

The News: Vista Terrace and the Garden Pools are now available to groups.

Specs: Vista Terrace is an outdoor venue with sweeping views of La Costa's golf courses and the surrounding foothills. It is located off the first level of the La Costa Conference Center. Its 9,500 square feet of space can accommodate up to 800 people.

The new Garden Pools area includes a tiered pool deck, two swimming pools, and two Jacuzzis, and it can be used for receptions or dinner under the stars. La Costa has 610 guest rooms. Its conference center offers 15 rooms, the 8,140-square-foot Poinsettia Ballroom, and the Executive Learning Center.

Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown

Providence, R.I.

The News: This new hotel, in the city's financial district, will open in December.

Specs: 110 guest rooms; as the original home of Old Colony Bank and most recently St. Francis Chapel, the $17 million investment will include restoration of the original 80-year-old building as well as new construction for an 11-story addition. The Hampton will have two meeting rooms of 450 and 440 square feet in area.

News Makers:

• The Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix has named Greg Waters director of sales and marketing, with a focus on groups, meetings, and special events. He brings more than 25 years of experience to the role.

• Loews Hotels has promoted Michael Dominguez to vice president of global sales. Dominguez joined Loews Hotels as the director of marketing for Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in 2005.