Destination news: November 2009
Published: October 31, 2009
International
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) named Hong Kong Polytechnic University as its newest Global Training Center. Over the next two years, MPI anticipates adding 15 educational institutions to its network of training facilities.
Beginning May 1, 2010, American Airlines will offer daily nonstop flights from New York (JFK) to Madrid, Spain (MAD).
Starting Dec. 17, Continental Airlines will offer nonstop service from New York/Newark, N.J. Liberty Airport (EWR) to Tremblant International Airport (YTM) in Mont Tremblant, Canada. The airline is planning a total of 53 flights through March 28, 2010.
Chile
The Sonesta Hotel Calama opened with 148 guest rooms and 2,625 square feet of meeting space. The business class hotel also has a casino and a restaurant.
National
Arizona
Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino opened in Chandler with 242 guest rooms, 12,000 square feet of meeting space and a 100,000-sq. ft. Vegas-style casino.
The Prescott Resort and Conference Center in Prescott completed a multi-million dollar renovation of its 160 guest rooms and 16,000 square feet of meeting space.
California
The 1910 Hotel Shattuck Plaza in Berkeley reopened after a $10 million renovation with 199 guest rooms and 10,000 square feet of meeting space. The renovation preserved the hotel’s original architectural design, and added modern amenities and green features.
The Addison restaurant at the Grand Del Mar hotel in San Diego won Wine Spectator’s 2009 Grand Award, the highest honor a restaurant wine list can receive.
The Hotel Indigo San Diego opened in the historic Gaslamp Quarter with 210 guest rooms and 6,200 square feet of meeting space.
Georgia
The Atlanta-based Jameson Inn hotel brand ranked No. 1 in customer service for the first half of 2009 on the Market Metrix Hospitality Index. The hotel brand has ranked at the top of its class in customer satisfaction nationally for more than five consecutive years.
The St. Regis Atlanta’s American bistro Paces 88 was named one of the country’s 20 Best New Restaurants in 2009 by Esquire magazine.
Louisiana
New Orleans placed No. 1 in the overall categories of Nightlife and Food and Dining in Travel + Leisure’s 2009 America’s Favorite Cities survey. The Crescent City also topped the charts in sub-categories as a favorite for Wild Weekends, Best Stylish Boutique Hotels, Cocktail Hour, Singles Bar Scene, Live Music Concerts and Bands, Antique and Vintage Shopping and more.
New Jersey
One Atlantic, a non-casino event venue in Atlantic City, is expected to open in December with more than 10,000 square feet of ballroom-style event space. The venue has multiple rooms, all with ocean views, including its 1,000-person main event space, the Atlantic Room.
North Carolina
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel in Cherokee now serves wine and beer in its restaurants and lounge, and through room service. The property is currently undergoing a $633 million expansion project that will double the size of it casino floor (195,000 square feet) and includes the addition of 532 new guest rooms, a 3,000 seat events center and a 16,000-sq. ft. spa.
Oklahoma
The Ford Center in Oklahoma City reopened after completing renovations. Improvements includes new terrace suites, two new clubs overlooking its 19,000-seat arena, upgraded interiors and enhanced audio-visual production facilities.
Oregon
The Allison Inn and Spa opened in Newberg with 85 guest rooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space.
Pennsylvania
The 432-room Doubletree Philadelphia completed the second phase of its $13.1 million renovation. The property has 27,000 square feet of meeting space, including a new 4,200-sq. ft. convention center. Renovations are expected to wrap up by January.
South Carolina
The Mount Pleasant Visitor Center at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park (near Charleston) opened a new event venue: the Cooper River Room. The space can accommodate up to 150 people, has a catering kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Cooper River.
Washington
The Hyatt Regency Bellevue reopened after completing a $185 million expansion with 733 guest rooms and more than 60,000 square feet of meeting space.
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