Barceló Hotels & Resorts has acquired the BARCELÓ LA JOLLA DE MISMALOYA HOTEL in Puerto Vallarta. This five-star, all-inclusive hotel features 303 suites with private terraces and spectacular ocean views. The hotel overlooks Mismaloya Bay and is situated in its own tropical garden, minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. The addition brings the number of hotels and resorts that Barceló operates in Mexico to 12.
The 209-room PLAYACAR PALACE, on the Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, debuted in December. Formerly the Hotel Continental Plaza Playacar, it is an all-inclusive, luxury property. At nearby Playacar Spa & Golf Club, guests can play on the 18-hole, par-72 Robert Van Hagge — designed championship course or check out the spa, which has 14 treatment rooms. Playacar Palace has more than 4,600 square feet of subdividable meeting space that can accommodate groups from 32 to 320. Palace Resorts has six all-inclusive properties in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
ASPEN MEADOWS RESORT, Colorado, has 98 guest suites, 12 meeting rooms, and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. A new 23,000-square-foot conference facility with four additional meeting rooms is set to open in early 2007. Also new are Plato's Restaurant and a $2 million renovation to the fitness center scheduled for this year.
The historic HEATHMAN HOTEL in Portland, Ore., has completed a $1.2 million soft goods renovation of its 150 guest rooms. The hotel has introduced the Heathman's Art of Sleep bed menu, offering guests a choice of three beds: European featherbed, European pillowtop, or Tempur-Pedic. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the public spaces and meeting rooms on the hotel's first and second floors.
The WESTIN ST. MAARTEN DAWN BEACH RESORT & SPA is slated to open this fall with 310 guest rooms and suites, situated on the Dutch side of the island, high above one of the island's most pristine beaches. All guest rooms and suites will feature balconies, and amenities will include a full-service spa, a pool with a swim-up bar and whirlpool, and 18 holes of golf at Mullet Bay. The resort will boast more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor flexible meeting and event space, including a 10,000-square-foot ballroom.
Construction has begun on a $40 million, 203-room WESTIN BEALE STREET HOTEL in Memphis, Tenn. Across from FedEx Forum, the hotel will be the first upscale branded hotel to be built in the Memphis metro area in more than 20 years, and is expected to be completed in early 2007. The hotel will offer wireless high-speed Internet access throughout its meeting space, all public areas, and guest rooms.
The 26,000-square-foot Great Hall of the famed BOCA RATON RESORT & CLUB, Florida, completed a multimillion-dollar renovation. The property has a total of 147,000 square feet of conference space, including 34 conference rooms. Boca's amenities include a half-mile stretch of beach, a spa, two 18-hole golf courses, and 30 tennis courts.
THE ORLANDO WORLD CENTER MARRIOTT RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER will break ground this year on an expansion that will result in more than 400,000 square feet of space, making it one of the largest convention facilities in the United States. The expansion will feature the 105,000-square-foot Cypress Ballroom, which will connect to the existing Palms Ballroom to offer more than 160,000 square feet of contiguous, pillar-free space.
THE RENAISSANCE ORLANDO RESORT AT SEAWORLD begins a $20 million renovation this year. Guest rooms will feature 300-thread-count sheets, as well as a flat-panel high-definition television, high-speed connectivity and data ports. The 65,000-square-foot atrium will offer a new lobby bar. Renovations include refurbishment of the 17,325-square-foot ballroom and the 3,362-square-foot ballroom. The Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld offers 185,000 square feet of flexible meeting and function space. An 8,000-square-foot full-service spa facility will open in 2007.
THE HYATT REGENCY WAIKIKI RESORT & SPA, Oahu, completed a $16 million renovation of all 1,230 guest rooms. The resort has a total of 19,000 square feet of function space, 2,050 square feet of pre-function space, and 10,023 square feet of exhibit space.
Outrigger Enterprises Inc. has acquired the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, which will be renamed OHANA WAIKIKI BEACHCOMBER HOTEL. Outrigger plans a major renovation beginning in 2007.
THE SHERATON SEATTLE HOTEL & TOWERS is undergoing a $112 million expansion, which includes creation of the 25-story Union Street Tower. This will give Seattle its first 1,000-plus room hotel (1,253 total). Some 31,000 square feet of meeting space will be added, bringing the total to 75,000 square feet and 47 meeting rooms. The project is estimated to be completed in spring 2007.
THE LANDMARK RESORT, Myrtle Beach, S.C., began a $3 million renovation in September. The resort offers 570 rooms and suites. The Landmark's giant indoor recreation center offers a 300-foot lazy river ride and five whirlpools. The Grand Ballroom can host up to 900 people.