IN BOSTON'S LONGWOOD Medical Area, the Conference Center at Harvard Medical School opened its doors for business on September 24. A part of Harvard Medical School's New Research Building, the state-of-the-art facility has 8,500 square feet of meeting space, including an amphitheater that seats 480, seven meeting rooms to accommodate groups of 10 to 130, and a rotunda for special events for up to 160. www.theconfcenter.hms.harvard.edu
The new $47 million Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center opened in September in midtown Atlanta. The GTHCC is part of the $196 million Technology Square development that includes the Global Learning Center, the DuPree College of Management, the Economic Development Institute, and the Georgia Tech Bookstore, plus retail space and restaurants. The eight-story, 252-room center offers 21,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 7,200-square-foot ballroom. The adjacent Global Learning Center has 25,000 square feet of meeting space, including three 75-seat amphitheaters, a 125-seat amphitheater, and a 250-seat amphitheater. www.gatechhotel.com
Westin's first “Heavenly Spa” will be debuting at The Westin Maui in spring 2004. The $4 million, 13,000-square-foot Spa Helani will feature 17 treatment rooms, including two massage rooms for couples; a workout facility with separate men's and women's changing areas, each with steam room and saunas; and an ocean-view lounge and yoga studio. The Westin Maui is located on 12 oceanfront acres directly on Kaanapali Beach. Each of the 758 guest rooms has been newly renovated. www.starwood.com
The Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay, on Great Exuma in the Out Islands of The Bahamas, opened its doors on November 24. The resort features a 32,406-square-foot spa, an 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman, a full-service marina, and 183 guest rooms. The 13,406 square feet of indoor meeting space can accommodate 366. www.fourseasons.com
The 2,031-room Moon Palace Golf Resort & Spa in Cancun, Mexico, will open a 19,469-square-foot spa at the clubhouse of the new Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Moon Palace. There will be 30 treatment rooms, and facilities will include whirlpool, herbal steam room, dry sauna, pressure showers, and hydro reflexology. The spa is slated to open by the end of this year. www.palaceresorts.com