At the time the legendary Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was opened by Laurance S. Rockefeller, in 1965, the $15 million property was the most expensive hotel ever built in Hawaii. It was the Mauna Kea that created the concept of understated elegance now common among luxury beach resorts.

After being forced to close its doors in December 2006 due to earthquake damage, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel underwent a $150 million refurbishment and reopened last December. The property features expanded guest rooms, new restaurants, a new Mandara spa, oceanside tennis courts, and an extensive makeover of its 36-hole, championship golf course, complete with a new clubhouse. The total room count has been reduced from 310 to 258, and the property boasts more than 64,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. The largest meeting room is 1,989 square feet. The official grand reopening is set for March 25 to 29.

Venue Updates: New/Expanded Facilities

Westin Verasa, Napa

Napa, Calif

The News: The new 180-suite Westin Verasa opened last September in Napa Valley.

Specs: Among the hotel's features are an outdoor pool, hot tub, 24-hour fitness center, and 12,000 square feet of conference and event space.

Extra: The hotel also offers two bocce courts, and easy access to river walking paths.

InterContinental Chicago O'Hare

The News: The new hotel opened last September one mile from Chicago O'Hare International Airport and 13 miles from downtown Chicago.

Specs: 556 guest rooms and 30,000 square feet of meeting space, featuring two ballrooms, 5,700 square feet of pre-function space, and six breakout rooms

Extra: The hotel will add 23,000 square feet of meeting space to the property in spring 2009.

Westin Jersey City Newport

Jersey City, N.J.

The News: The Westin Jersey City Newport to open just 15 minutes from Manhattan

Specs: The hotel will feature 429 guest rooms and 20,500 square feet of meeting space, including 30 meeting rooms. The Newport Grand Ballroom offers more than 10,000 square feet of space and can accommodate up to 1,450 guests.

Timeline: The hotel opens this month.

Gansevoort Turks & Caicos

Turks and Caicos

The News: Gansevoort Turks & Caicos, a Wymara property, opens in March 2009.

Specs: The 91-room property will offer an indoor/outdoor Exhale Spa with private rejuvenation garden, Bagatelle Restaurant and beach bar, fitness center, complimentary high-speed Internet access, conference facilities, and 24-hour concierge service.

Extra: Providenciales Airport, less than 15 minutes from the property, offers direct flights several times a day from Miami, New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, London, Toronto, and Montreal.

Lorien Hotel & Spa

Alexandria, Va.

The News: Kimpton Hotels' newest property opens this month near Washington, D.C.

Specs: The Lorien Hotel & Spa features 107 guest rooms and suites, more than 3,500 square feet of meeting and event space, a full-service spa and fitness center, and three culinary venues helmed by celebrated chef Robert Wiedmaier.

Hilton Cancun Golf Resort & Spa

Cancun, Mexico

The News: The resort will add a 5,665-square-foot ballroom to its oceanfront convention center.

Specs: The $3 million project will also include an oceanfront patio and the Atrium Bar, a new lounge in the center of the hotel's lobby. The resort features 426 guest rooms with high-speed wireless Internet access; a championship golf course; a spa; and 36,000 square feet of oceanfront convention center space.

Timeline: The ballroom project is expected to be complete in August 2009.

Hyatt Regency Tempe

Tempe, Ariz.

The News: A 14-story, 240-room Hyatt Regency hotel to be built

Specs: The hotel will feature a 4,000-square-foot spa and 13,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 5,000-square-foot ballroom.

Timeline: Groundbreaking begins in summer 2009, with completion in spring 2011.

Setai San Diego

San Diego, Calif.

The News: The new 184-room luxury hotel located in downtown San Diego's financial district opened its doors in December.

Specs: The property features a spa, restaurant, Grand Penthouse, rooftop pool and deck, recording studio, private screening room, and 20,000 square feet of event and meeting space.

Extra: The hotel is a short walk from both the San Diego Convention Center and Petco Park.

Four Seasons Hotel Seattle

The News: The 21-story hotel and condominium tower opened in November on Seattle's downtown waterfront.

Specs: The hotel features a spa, 10,560 square feet of meeting space, six meeting rooms, and ART Restaurant and Lounge.

Extra: The rooftop terrace features the city's only heated, outdoor, infinity-edge swimming pool.

Omphoy Ocean Resort

Palm Beach, Fla.

The News: New, upscale beachfront hotel to open

Specs: 134 guest rooms and suites, 5,000 square feet of flexible meeting space for groups of up to 125.

Extra: The hotel is scheduled to open in April 2009.

News Makers:

• Deborah Cavanagh was appointed national sales manager at the Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key in Fla. Cavanagh was previously director of group sales at the Millennium Hotel St. Louis, Mo.

• The Westin Boston Waterfront has named Greg Clark director of sales and marketing. Clark was previously director of sales and marketing at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers.