The Renovated Guest rooms at The Peabody Memphis in downtown Memphis, Tenn., are now welcoming guests. When I sat in the lobby of the newly spruced-up hotel, it was apparent just how comfortable this “living room of the South” is, with its overstuffed armchairs and couches to slouch into. The Peabody lobby is elegant, too. The art is beautifully displayed, but nothing's more appealing than the ducks swimming in the fountain.

And the meeting space? It adds up to 80,000 square feet. The grand ballroom alone can accommodate more than 2,000 people. The third floor is a self-contained executive conference center with 12 meeting rooms, and there are 15 opulent conference rooms. A major renovation of the Continental, Venetian, Louis XVI, Forrest rooms, and the boardroom was completed in 2005. www.peabodymemphis.com.