The Meritage in Napa is one of many Golden State hotels to unveil renovations this year
It’s been a busy year so far in California and that’s right on the heels of a bustling 2011. Up and down the coast, meetings hotels are shaking out the dust and unveiling new additions and upgrades, many specifically designed to lure group business to the Golden West.
Northern California
The Grand Hyatt San Francisco has just completed a multi-phase, $70-million renovation, which included a $14-million upgrade to its meetings facilities. An expansive new Grand Foyer now provides an additional 5,700 square feet of flexible meeting space, bringing the property’s total to 27,000 square feet of function space.
In late 2011 the JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square unveiled the 2,025-square-foot Pacific Conference Center, bringing the 337-room property’s total meeting space to 13,230 square feet.
The 277-room Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco renovated its meeting and event space at the end of last year, including the 7,000-square-foot Veranda Ballroom. The redesigned space clocks in at 15,000 square feet and features upgraded A/V equipment and new furniture.
Last December, the 1,908-room Hilton San Francisco Union Square began a $51-million renovation, updating the 550 guest rooms located in the property’s original building and adding the 13,500-square-foot Golden Gate Ballroom. Additionally, 31 of the meeting rooms will be expanded, bringing the property’s total function space up to 134,500 square feet. The renovations are on track to be completed later this month.
The 313-room Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf is wrapping up a $1-million renovation of its more than 19,000 square feet of function space. New decor pays tribute to the colors and images of the San Francisco Bay, and the renovation also includes new fireplaces and wall sconces, custom hand-blown glass chandeliers, and a shimmering fountain.
Farther afield, the Oakland Convention Center has begun an $8-million renovation, that will include upgraded energy management systems, which are aimed at attaining LEED Silver certification for the 64,000-square-foot facility.
Last month the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa finished a $40-million expansion project that brought its grand total of rooms to 322 and added 12,500 square feet of event space, including a new ballroom. The resort offers more than 50,000 square feet of total meeting space comprising two ballrooms, two boardrooms, and several outdoor spaces, as well as the one-of-a-kind 3,992-square foot Estate Cave, a vast underground wine-tasting venue that seats up to 240 guests.
The 141-room Avia Napa Hotel in downtown Napa is undergoing renovations before reopening later this summer as the Andaz Napa. The property will be soon be able to accommodate groups of up to 130 in one of three venues.
The San Jose Convention Center is undergoing a massive expansion, which will add 125,000 square feet of flexible space, including a 35,000-square-foot ballroom, by fall 2013. The renovations will bring the facility’s total event space up to approximately 550,000 square feet.
Downtown San Jose’s 171-room Sainte Claire Hotel will become a Westin Hotel at the end of the year. The property boasts more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space, complimentary wireless Internet access, and a 24-hour business center. The hotel is currently renovating its guest rooms and public spaces.
Southern California
Last October the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in Los Angeles completed renovations of its 1,354 guest rooms and suites as well as its 110,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
In March 2011, the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza, located in downtown Los Angeles, completed a $15-million renovation of its 453 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of meeting space. Updates include new carpet, airwalls, and boardrooms.
The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills has recently completed a $33-million renovation that included updates to all 285 guest rooms and suites and its ballroom. The refreshed guest rooms pay tribute to 1940s Hollywood, with mirrored wall paneling and Chinoiserie headboards.
Further south, the Hyatt Regency Long Beach unveiled a $30-million renovation of its 528 rooms and suites. The property has 22,000 square feet of meeting space.
The 469-room Westin Long Beach has renovated half of its guest rooms and will wrap up work on the remaining rooms next February, at which time renovations to the property’s more than 51,000 square feet of meeting space will begin.
Not to be outdone by its neighbors, the 311-room Long Beach Marriott recently renovated its ground-floor public space to the tune of $10 million. The property also added 1,700 square feet of courtyard event space, bringing its total meeting and event space to 10,000 square feet.
Palm Springs welcomed the trendy Saguaro Palm Springs in February. The 245-room Joie de Vivre hotel was designed with the colorful, vibrant spirit of the southwest in mind. The property features almost 7,500 square feet of meeting space, as well as the 2,400-square-foot Jacincto Lawn and Tinto, a new restaurant run by celebrity chef Jose Garces.
In March, the 368-room Hotel del Coronado finished an $8-
million renovation of the rooms and suites in its 124-year-old original building. New furnishings are made of natural materials like wool, leather, and hardwoods. The property features 65,000 square feet of event space.
The 439-room Loews Coronado Bay Resort has begun resort-wide renovations. The lobby will be updated and additions will include a floating bar. Renovations are expected to be completed in December. The hotel has over 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space.