Destination news: February 2010
Published: February 1, 2010
International
Belgium
The Crowne Plaza is expected to open by spring with 120 rooms, meeting space for small groups, a spa and a restaurant.
Caribbean
AirTran Airways now offers direct flights to Aruba from Atlanta and Orlando. Rates start at $99 from Orlando and $119 from Atlanta.
United Kingdom
British budget hotel chain Travelodge will open 26 new hotels in Britain this year, bringing the total number of Travelodge hotels in the U.K. to over 400.
National
American Airlines now offers a direct flight between Charleston and Miami.
Arizona
Hospitality Performance Network (HPN) and Meetings International announced a joint venture that will result in the creation of HPN Global, a global site selection and meeting procurement company, headquartered in Scottsdale.
California
The JW Marriott Los Angeles opened as part of the 4 million-sq. ft. L.A. Live entertainment complex. Amenities include 826 guest rooms and 77,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The adjoining 54-story tower is home to the 123-room Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles, which is expected to open this spring.
The 662-room Harrah’s Rincon Casino Resort & Spa in San Diego received the AAA Four Diamond Award for the first time. In addition to a 1,600-slot machine casino, amenities include a spa, golf and 13,500 square feet of meeting and event space.
The Grand Del Mar in San Diego received the AAA Five Diamond Award for the second consecutive year. Amenities include 249 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of event space for up to 600 people.
Florida
The 444-room Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island completed a $22 million expansion of its ballroom, increasing the total available meeting space to 35,000 square feet.
The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa opened with 250 rooms and 32,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space.
Illinois
AVT Event Technologies announced an agreement for AVT to be the sole provider of event technology for Omni properties nationwide.
New York
The Sheraton Brooklyn is expected to open in summer 2010 with 321 rooms and 5,000 square feet of meeting space. There also will be a separate Kosher kitchen for events.
Texas
The Westin Austin at the Domain is expected to open in March with 340 rooms, more than 15,000 square feet of function space, and free high-speed wireless Internet for meeting attendees.
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