New hotel properties, along with multi-million remodel and expansion projects, are making headway across the U.S. as hospitality companies work to meet the demands of corporate event groups forging ahead with in-person gatherings after two years of pent-up demand. Take a look!

New Hotels

Caesars Republic Scottsdale 

After a pandemic-induced delay, above-ground construction has resumed on the new Caesars Republic Scottsdale, an 11-story, 265-room luxury non-gaming hotel scheduled to open in Q1 2024 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Featuring picturesque views of the iconic Camelback Mountain and the surrounding desert landscape, the contemporary property’s architecture and interior design elements will pay homage to Caesars Republic’s swanky Las Vegas roots with the use of thoughtful materials and sleek, modern elements. 

Located in the heart of the “Old Town” area on the north side of Scottsdale Fashion Square, the 147-foot high, 260,000-square-foot hotel will feature five top floor penthouse entertainment suites; 28 luxury wellness suites, each with its own unique offerings and amenities including Peloton stationary bikes; two Italian dining concepts by award-winning celebrity chef, author, philanthropist and TV personality Giada De Laurentis; a seventh-floor elevated pool lounge and restaurant; a top-of-the-line fitness center; and an expansive 13,500-sq.-ft. indoor/outdoor meeting and event space.

The event space includes a 7,000-sq.-ft., column-free ballroom, which is divisible into four sections and capable of hosting banquets of up to 750 guests, and features 34-foot-long sliding glass doors opening onto a 7,000-sq.-ft. outdoor manicured lawn. Additional event spaces will include a dedicated 3,500-sq.-ft. outdoor space on the eighth floor and a 3,700 sq.-ft. meeting space on the second floor.

A partnership between Caesars Entertainment Corporation and Macerich, Caesars Republic Scottdale is owned by national real estate development and property management company HCW, with HCW Hospitality Management serving as its management provider. Event reservations are now open for Q2 2024.

Hilton North Scottsdale at Cavasson 

Also in Scottsdale, the new Hilton North Scottsdale at Cavasson will soon become the city’s newest resort hotel when it opens in December. Owned by Nationwide Realty Investors and managed by Columbus Hospitality Management, the six-story, full-service property will feature 237 elegantly appointed guest rooms, a resort-style swimming pool and trendy dining with views of the stunning McDowell Mountains.

Offering a sophisticated 16,165-square-foot event center suitable for events ranging from small group meetings to large corporate gatherings, weddings and social affairs, the hotel’s expansive event space will include a rooftop venue with stunning mountain and desert views.

Remodels, Updates and Expansions

Victoria Conference Centre

Victoria Conference Centre, the largest conference and meetings venue in Victoria, BC, recently unveiled some aesthetic and technology updates. Besides the addition of new furnishings and hardware, tiling and other updates, the building has been painted and new equipment for hosting virtual and hybrid meetings has been installed.  

Offering more than 77,000 square feet of meeting space, including 21 multi-purpose meeting rooms, a large exhibit hall and a 400-seat lecture theatre, the VCC can host a range of events, from small, intimate gatherings to larger events of up to 2,000 delegates.

With a key focus on reducing its carbon emissions and increasing energy efficiency by implementing real-time energy management systems, installing LED lighting, purchasing renewable natural gas and improving water consumption and waste diversion efforts, the VCC is an ideal place to host eco-friendly meetings and events. In 2021, the building achieved Carbon Neutral Designation by noted corporate sustainability management firms Synergy Enterprises and Offsetters.

Marriott San Antonio Airport Hotel

After a massive, top-to-bottom re-imagining led by The Bricton Group and The Gettys Group Companies, the Marriott San Antonio Airport Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, recently opened to guests on April 14. 

Designed to capture the spirit of San Antonio while leading the revitalization of the city’s airport corridor, the 367-room property is located just four minutes from San Antonio International Airport and is in close proximity to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, River Walk, shopping and dining.

In addition to a newly reconfigured layout, the hotel includes: 

• More than 15,000 square feet of flexible event and meeting space
• A grand ballroom (La Cantera), junior ballroom (Alamo Heights) and 19 flexible meeting spaces ideal for groups of all sizes
• The Pearl Boardroom and Alamo Heights Ballroom, which open up to an outdoor terrace
• A state-of-the-art fitness center
• Communal tables offering plug-and-play technology to work and collaborate
• An outdoor pool terrace for meetings and events
• An elevated lounge for Marriott Bonvoy members
• Signature indoor-outdoor bar, AGAVE 210, featuring signature cocktails and Southwestern-inspired cuisine for lunch and dinner
• The grab-and-go Agave 210 Market
• Top-tier event catering
• A breakfast buffet and more

Featuring natural light throughout, the hotel’s interiors are inspired by interlacing patterns, bright colors and textures from San Antonio’s parks, neighborhoods and the rivers of Texas.

Amway Grand Plaza

The Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, Mich. recently unveiled a two-year $40 million renovation project that included replacing the hotel’s glass exterior with lighter tinted panes for more natural light; floor-to-ceiling windows to provide unobstructed views in guest rooms and the hotel’s Spanish-inspired restaurant, MDRD; new metal cladding; new backlit crown logo signage; and updated balcony rooms.

Featuring 656 designer-decorated guest rooms, seven restaurants and a complete fitness center offering tennis, racquetball, swimming, squash, a whirlpool, weight room and sauna, the four-diamond property is also a popular option for event planners, with its 47,120 square feet of meeting and event space, four elegant ballrooms and 42 technology-rich meeting rooms and conference areas.

Within a short drive from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, the downtown hotel is within walking distance of some of the city’s top attractions, including the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Ah-Nab-Awen Park and the Grand River.

Epicurean Hotel

The award-winning, food-focused Epicurean Hotel, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection Hotels portfolio, is undergoing a $21 million expansion project that will include 51 new guest rooms and suites, a private lobby, meeting space and a rooftop terrace. 

Located in the stylish Hyde Park district of South Tampa, Fla. and directly across from the 137-room main hotel, the four-story expansion – scheduled for completion in the summer of 2023 – will incorporate two restored historic apartment buildings, add two floors of parking and feature a classic white exterior, historic façade and lush landscaping. Public areas will feature a welcoming contrast of warm woods with cool concrete and stainless steel, while the lobby will be adorned with an original artwork installation of wine and champagne corks and a contemporary liquor bottle chandelier.

Besides the new guest rooms consisting of 31 standard king rooms, eight deluxe king rooms, three two-room suites and one junior suite, eight historical apartments will be converted into suites with separate dining and living areas, kitchenette, king bed, sleeper sofa and private balconies. Guest rooms and suites will feature signature butcher block countertops and soft, sophisticated, earth-toned furnishings and finishes, with a dash of culinary-themed touches. Improved technology will also enhance the overall guest experience.

The hotel’s new meeting space will include a 794-square-foot room for up to 50 guests, a 590-sq.-ft. room suitable for up to 39 guests and a 1,138-sq.-ft. rooftop terrace for private events and meetings of up to 130 people, with 44 seated guests.

Have some hotel news to share? Reach out to lpsavas@tsnn.com.

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!