IN LAS VEGAS, Green Valley Ranch, which opened in December 2001, has just started an expansion of a second tower including 290 rooms and 35,000 square feet of meeting space. Plans call for completion of the project in November 2004. The resort, six miles from the Strip, offers panoramic views of the city. It now has 201 rooms, 20,000 square feet of meeting space, and a 55,000-square-foot casino. www.greenvalleyranchresort.com

Loews New Orleans opened in December in the heart of the city's central business district in the former Lykes building. The luxury hotel features 285 guest rooms and suites, which are said to be the largest in the city, and 13,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel's owners also plan to rebuild the Piazza d'Italia, an outdoor area adjacent to the hotel. Once restored, it will reopen to the public and also be available for private evening hotel functions. The Piazza, which can accommodate up to 400 people, has an illuminated fountain as its centerpiece. www.loewshotels.com

A new boutique hotel is scheduled for completion in August in downtown Providence, R.I. The 80-room Hotel Providence will open in a completely renovated historic building, within easy walking distance of the convention center and the Providence Performing Arts Center. It will feature a 2,500-square-foot grand ballroom, more than 2,000 square feet of meeting space, and a 1,500-square-foot terrace. The upscale L'Epicureo Ristorante will move from Federal Hill into the Hotel Providence, with seating for 150.

The 41-story Grand Hyatt Cairo opened in August 2003 on the banks of the Nile on El Roda Island. The hotel has 714 guest rooms and suites, each with a private balcony and river view. The 33,000 square feet of conference and banquet facilities include three ballrooms. www.hyatt.com

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has signed a management agreement with Hotel Excelsior Private Ltd., a member of the Eros Group of India, for a hotel in New Delhi, India. The former Hotel Kanishka has closed for a massive $30 million renovation; it will reopen in December 2004 as the 354-room Shangri-La Hotel, New Delhi. The 17-story hotel is located in the historic government district, 40 minutes from the airport. It will feature three new meeting rooms and a 4,850-square-foot ballroom. www.shangri-la.com

The Omni Hotel at CNN Center opened its $100 million expansion project in November in downtown Atlanta. The 600-room, 28-story North Tower is adjacent to the existing 15-story Omni, which recently underwent a $9 million renovation. The hotel and new tower now offer 1,067 guest rooms, all with complimentary high-speed Internet access, and more than 120,000 square feet of meeting space. omnihotels.com

The Interlaken Inn Resort, located in Connecticut's Berkshires in the town of Lakeville, recently completed a renovation of all facilities, including its century-old original Victorian building. High-speed data, voice, and video transmission is available in all guest and public rooms, as well as poolside and on the inn's private executive golf course. www.InterlakenInn.com

Adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, The Rosen Plaza Hotel recently completed a renovation of all 800 guest rooms. All rooms now feature high-speed Internet access. The hotel has 60,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 26,000-square-foot grand ballroom. www.rosenplaza.com

The 247-room Belleview Biltmore in Clearwater, Fla., just completed a major renovation project, spending an estimated $10 million to update its Beach Club, lobby, 40,000 square feet of meeting space, restaurants, and fitness center. www.BelleviewBiltmore.com

In Scottsdale, Ariz., the 654-room Phoenician completed a major renovation in December. A $1 million golf course enhancement has added new water features and fresh landscaping. www.thephoenician.com

The Doral Desert Princess Resort in Palm Springs, Calif., has just completed a $1.2 million renovation. The resort has 23,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, 27 holes of golf, and 10 tennis courts. www.doralpalmsprings.com