$125 Million Dollar Renovation to DC Hotel

Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C. is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for being the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee. During the 2008 real estate problem, the property fell into foreclosure. Euro Capital purchased the hotel at an auction and has poured 125 million dollars into the property. They are expecting this luxurious property to be reopened in summer of 2015. They have designed it to be more accommodating to meetings with a 17,000 square foot meeting space, 7,000 square foot ballroom, and a rooftop bar.  To sign up for updates on the hotel, please visit: http://thewatergatehotel.com/

3 Favorite International Hotels Decorated for the Holidays

As we had posted our 3 favorite American hotels decorated for the Holidays, we have now decided on our three favorite International hotels decorated for the festivities.

1.       Hotel d’Angleterre, Copenhagen

This magnificent hotel looks like you are staying in your own fairytale. It is decorated with more than 50,000 lights each Christmas. Huge crowds come each year to watch the unveiling of the lights along with watching a performance of the Royal Danish Life Guards. For more information please visit: http://www.dangleterre.dk/#nf

2.       The Peninsula Hong Kong

This luxury hotel is the oldest in all of Hong Kong. They accentuate the Christmas cheer by fully decorating the complete inside and outside of the hotel. They make the guests feel as though they are having a real Christmas night by placing twinkling lights, large snowflakes hanging from the sky, and numerous other traditional European Christmas decorations. For more information please visit: http://hongkong.peninsula.com/en/special-offers/christmas-market

3.       Four Seasons  George V, Paris

This hotel redefines luxury in the City of Light. With a 1 million pound floristry budget and the guidance of creative director Jeff Leatham, they have created magnificent holiday decorations for all of their guests to enjoy. For more information please visit: http://www.fourseasons.com/p

aris/

3 Best Hotels for the Holidays in America

With the holidays coming up right around the corner, we wanted to share with you our 3 favorite hotels for the Holidays in America.

      1.    The Coeur d’Alene Resort

This beautiful hotel located in Idaho hosts a holiday light show filled with over 1.5 million lights located on the water. Their “signature "Journey to the North Pole" Holiday Lake Cruise visits Santa’s North Pole Toy Workshop where America's Tallest Floating Christmas Tree towers above the lake with thousands of twinkling lights. This season, Santa's elves have a special fireworks show waiting for each visit to the North Pole.” For more information please visit: http://www.cdaresort.com/discover/activities/holiday-light-show

2.     Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

The five-star Scottsdale Hotel holds its annual Christmas at the Princess event. This event includes a 6,000 square foot Desert Ice Holiday Rink, a four-story Christmas tree with 67,000 lights, 3D light shows, Train rides, Christmas Carousel, and much more. This enchanting hotel will make your holiday wishes come true. For more information please visit: http://www.fairmont.com/scottsdale/

   

      3.   Waldorf-Astoria

This luxurious hotel located in the heart of New York City decorates the entirety of the hotel for the holidays. They will deliver a Christmas Tree to your room, hang personalized stocking prior to your arrival, and will have carolers ensuring you are receiving all of the holiday cheer. For more information please visit: http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/

Marriott Opening a New Hotel in March 2015

JW Marriott Hotel and Resort is opening a beautiful new hotel in Venice, Italy in March of 2015. The hotel will have 266 rooms located in a refurbished historic building. It is located on 16 acres with beautiful gardens all over. There will be 14 beautiful meeting rooms making this a great place to hold your next event. For more information please visit: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/vcejw-jw-marriott-venice-resort-and-spa/

Hotel Renovation in DC

Embassy Suites located in Washington DC just completed their 10.5 million dollar renovation that began in June. Jeff Brainard, the hotels area manager stated that “We’re delighted with the new sophisticated feel and are eager to showcase our upgraded setting “. This hotel is located and the Chevy Chase Pavilion and is now perfect for business stays attracting guests with their modern design and ideal location. For most information please visit: http://www.embassysuitesdcmetro.com/

Don’t Let Constant Business Travel Jeopardize your Work.

In today’s work environment, employees are having to travel all around the world to attend business meetings. Sometimes flights can vary from 2 hours to 26 hours, creating a major impact on the work that you can accomplish. However, you do not need to let a flight keep you from completing your work load. USA today compiled a list of 6 recommendations to ensure you complete all of your needed tasks. For more information please visit: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sponsor-story/emirates/2014/11/03/emirates-business-flight-tips/18403169/

• Set a schedule: Devote some time on the plane to sleeping, some for entertainment and eating, and some for your workload. Formally create a schedule so you know when to move on to the next activity.
• Power up: Ensure that you come on to the flight prepared with everything that you will need to complete your workload. Make sure that you come with your computer charged and in case the Wi-Fi is not working on board you can complete other tasks outside of the internet. It will ultimately make your workload less hectic in case you run into problems.
• Bring supplies: Come prepared with snacks, noise canceling headphones, pens and paper, and any additional supplies you will need to stay motivated.
• Relax, recharge: Devote time to reading a book. This will relax your brain and refresh your body to begin the workload again shortly.
• Get some shut-eye: This is most important on those long flights. Come prepared with an eye-mask, headphones, and a neck pillow to ensure the utmost comfort.

Haunted Hotel

Happy Halloween! In celebration of the holiday, we wanted to share some of our favorite Haunted Hotels around America.

Stanley Hotel- Colorado

This hotel is known for the well-known novel by Steven King, The Shining. It has been featured as one of the nations most haunted hotels. You can purchase a Ghost Adventure Package where you are  “guaranteed 4th Floor room, a K2 Meter per reservation, a glow-in-the-dark Stanley Hotel squishy ghost per person, a REDRUM mug per person.” For more information visit: http://www.stanleyhotel.com/specials/ghost-adventure-package

      The Myrtels Plantation- Louisiana

This plantation is known for its Haunted physique. It is said to have 10 murders in this hotel since the 1770’s. One can stay at the hotel or simply take a tour where you will experience the numerous ghosts living on the property as well as view the blood stains, cold spots, and more that simply will not disappear. For more information visit: http://www.myrtlesplantation.com/history.php

      The Jerome Grand Hotel- Arizona

Jeromes Grand Hotel is located in Arizonia’s largest ghost town. One can choose to stay at the hotel or simply just complete their tour. During the tour you will be provided an  “EMT meter, IR thermometer and digital camera to help us document the spirits, orbs, ghost sightings, and haunted happenings at what may be one of the 10 most haunted places in America.” For more information please visit: http://www.jeromegrandhotel.com/index.html

A Must-See Starwood Hotel

Starwood Hotels &  Resorts opened The Castle Hotel in Dalian, China. This hotel has 292 beautiful guest rooms and suites offering excellent views of  the Xinghai Bay and Yellow Sea. It is located steps away from Xinghai Square. As stated on the hotels website it is “designed to align with its majestic environment, the hotel’s captivating amenities include the enchanting Kaiser SPA, a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, and indoor swimming pool. “ This hotel is in a perfect location, and a pleasant stay for business meetings as Dalian is the largest city square in Asia. For more information visit: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3557

Marriott’s Renaissance Hotel has $50 Million in Renovations

The Marriott recently renovated the former bank space, Cincinnati Bartlett Building to be the Marriott Renaissance Hotel. They received $50 million dollars for renovation that was privately funded. This 323 room hotel kept the same architecture and preserved much of the banks gems. There are 8 meeting rooms with the maximum capacity holding 700 people. This hotel is located in downtown Cincinnati. For more information please visit: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/fact-sheet/travel/cvgbr-renaissance-cincinnati-downtown-hotel/

Fort Lauderdale Conrad Hotel Renovations

By the summer of 2015, the previous Trump Fort Lauderdale Hotel will be reopened as the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Hotel & Beach Residences with 30 million dollars’ worth of renovations. This hotel is perfect for businesses with its 8 meeting rooms having sea views and oceanfront breakout areas. We encourage you to make a weekend getaway or hold your next business meeting during the summer of 2015. For more information check out: http://conradhotels3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/conrad-fort-lauderdale-FLLCICI/gallery/index.html

LaSalle Hotel Completes Renovations in the Park Central Hotel New York

                As you may assume, because New York City is such a large business travel location, hotels have numerous competitors. Park Central Hotel in New York just completed a 934 room renovation and was separated in to two unique properties. One property has 761-rooms with a conference center holding the traditional New York ambience. The other property has a separate entrance becoming an elegant boutique hotel. This hotel, named The WestHouse was recently awarded one of six Small Luxury Hotels of the World. For more information: http://nyrej.com/73680

Park Central Hotel

The WestHouse

High End Luxury Meeting Florida Theme Park

On August 1, 2014, Orlando welcomed its newest resort sitting on five acres overlooking a lake.  The Four Seasons Resort Orlando boasts 443 luxury sleeping rooms and 37,750 sq ft of meeting space for functions.  It has all the luxuries of a full service resort including a signature spa and a Tom Fazio designed golf course opening next month.

Largest Expansion of Meeting Space in Resort History

The Loews Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, Florida opened in March 2014 offering 1,800 guest rooms, a 10-lane bowling alley, 10,000 sq ft pool and lazy river.  By fall 2015, it will have completed the largest meeting space expansion in its history to offer more than 140,000 sq ft of flexible function space.  

China’s Business Travel Will Exceed the United States by 2016

                By 2016, China’s business travel is expected to exceed the United States. In 2000 business travel spending was quoted at 32 billion a year. During 2013 Chinas mainland business travel spending was projected at 225 billion dollars have a 16.2 growth percentage. Although in the last year, the United States spent 274 billion dollars on business travel, it has a growth of only 1.1 percent annually since 2000. According to Michael McCormick, Executive Director of GBTA “This report underscores that China, along with the other BRIC countries of Brazil, Russia and India are leveraging their business travel expenditures into more economic opportunities”. 

                                      For more information:http://www.cnbc.com/id/101873704#.

Radisson Hotel Portland Oregon Hotel Renovation

Look out for the Radisson Hotel in Portland, Oregon as it just finished its three year, multi-million dollar project. The renovations took place all throughout the hotel including the fitness center, lobby, business center, meeting areas, and much more. Becky Fields, the general manager, states that “Our focus has been to enhance the guest experience in all areas of the hotel. We are confident our guests will enjoy the updated look and feel of our hotel from the moment they walk in the door”. Because it is located just minutes away from the Portland International Hotel, this location is perfect for short business meetings. Listed below are pictures of the new renovations. For more information: http://www.radisson.com/portland-hotel-Portalnd Oregon Radisson

8 Noteworthy Mansion Hotels

Have you ever dreamed of living on hundreds of acres, gardened to perfection, in your large home filled with granite fireplaces, elegant furniture, and everything you could ever want? Well it might not be your permanent home, but it is possible to get a taste of the elite life. Listed are eight hotel mansions around the United States that were previous residences to politicians, celebrities, and more. These hotels are perfect for executive retreats, small business meetings, advisory board meetings, and much more.

1. The Chanler, Newport, Rhode Island

This European designed Mansion is located oceanfront on Easton Beach in Rhode Island. The hotel’s 20 rooms are each influenced by a specific point in history. With rooms starting at $229 per night, you too can experience New England luxury at its finest.

2. The Wentworth Mansion, Charleston, South Carolina

Opened in 1886, this gorgeous mansion, located in Charleston, South Carolina, has been completely renovated to house others who will appreciate its beauty. It is rated the twelfth best luxury hotel in the United States. The starting rate is $390 per night which includes the Wentworth’s excellent level of service and attention to detail.

3. Castle Hotel & Spa, Tarrytown, New York

Just a quick 30 minute drive from Manhattan, Castle Hotel & Spa overlooks the Hudson River. This hotel has over 100 years of history and 45 medieval guest rooms. The starting price for a stay is $320 per night.

4. Keswick Hall at Monticello, Keswick, Virginia

Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville, Virginia this 48 room hotel is located on 600 acres worth of gorgeous land including some of the East Coasts most beautiful scenery. This resort celebrated its 100^th anniversary in 2012 and maintains its original structure and design. Prices start at $495 per night.

5. Dolce Hayes Mansion, San Jose, California

This 100 year old estate is located just fifteen minutes from San Jose Airport and has renovated Spanish inspired architecture with beautiful mountain views.  The Dolce Hayes Mansion was ranked one of the world’s best hotels on Expedia in 2010. The walls of the 214-room hotel still include pictures of the original family that once lived there. Room rates start at $149 per night.

6. Castle Hill Resort & Spa, Cavendish, Vermont

This full-service Vermont resort holds only ten rooms giving you a true at-home experience. The English-style estate gives you the options to stay in individual rooms or choose a Resort Home to rent. Those who have stayed here boast about the beautiful architecture and the old furnishings. Rooms start at $279 per night.

7. Wilburton Inn, Manchester Village, Vermont

This large estate has a unique history; a Vermont farmer won this land in a poker game and built a mansion on the hilltop. In 1987 it became a family run Inn. The Wilburton Inn has offers a range of rooms that their guests can stay in such as individual rooms in villas to a private house that they can rent. This is perfect for individuals who are looking for more privacy. Rooms start at $159 per night.

8. Cranwell Resort, Spa, & Golf Club, Lenox, Massachusetts

This large resort of 114 guest rooms is perched on a hilltop in Lenox, Massachusetts and has one of the largest spas in the Northeast. Golf Digest ranked Cranwell Resort, Spa, and Golf Club as one of the “Best Places to Play” making it a perfect location to hold informal business meetings. It also holds one of the largest spas in the Northeast making this an ideal location for corporate incentive programs. Room nights start at $215 per night.

For more information: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/09/travel/mansion-hotels/index.html?hpt=tr_bn6