Meeting News - December 3, 2007 - (Page 7)

Edited by Rayna Katz rayna.katz@nielsen.com Hotels/Resorts Hooray for Hollywood: New Resort Comes In Hollywood, FL—Continuing to grow its portfolio, Crowne Plaza has opened a property here. The Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach Resort offers 311 rooms, including three presidential suites. In addition, the hotel has 10,000 sf of meeting space spread over seven rooms. An infinity pool and tiki bar can also be found on site. Located on the Florida Intracoastal Waterway, with the beach nearby, the hotel is close to historic downtown Hollywood. The city is situated between Miami and Fort Lauderdale—it shares the airport with the latter destination while Miami International Airport is less than 25 miles away. “We are pleased to open this beautiful resort property because it offers the best of both worlds for our business and leisure guests,” said Gina LaBarre, vice president of brand management. “It has flexible meeting space and easy access to award-winning beaches, charming shops, and the oceanfront Hollywood Broadwalk.” As One Vegas Property Calls It Quits, Another Begins a New Frontier Las Vegas—Last month’s implosion of the Frontier Hotel & Casino marked the end of an era, but it also heralded a new one. The hotel’s spot was earmarked to become The Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, the first extension of the Plaza brand. Elad IDB Las Vegas, a new hotel ownership firm created for the project, is a joint effort of the owners of New York City’s Plaza Hotel, Elad Group and IDB Group. The Plaza Vegas, an $8-billion “ultra-luxury hotel with a convention complex,” will break ground in late 2008 and open in 2011, according to Miki Naftali, president and CEO of Elad Group. It will also feature a casino, destination restaurants, retail, and entertainment offerings. More specific details were not available at press time. “The Plaza is an internationally known brand and will redefine luxury and elegance in the gaming capital of the world,” added Daniel Wade, COO of Elad Las Vegas. The company plans to open more Plaza hotels around the world, according to Wade. Foxwoods Announces Second Expansion; First One Still In Works Mashantucket, CT—Even before finishing a massive $700-million addition, the Foxwoods Resort Casino has announced plans for another new complex. The newest project, announced last month, will be a $55million cornucopia of culinary and retail options. It will “seamlessly blend the guest experience” of Foxwoods and the development now being built, the MGM Grand at Foxwoods, according to property officials. Foxwoods’ latest offering, which began construction in mid-November, will include a luxury retail corridor, a 6,600-sf lounge, and two restaurants. Culinary pioneer David Burke—mastermind of David Burke & Donatella, in New York—will offer a casual eatery for up to 70 people and a steakhouse with a private banquet space for up to 100 guests. This project will be completed next spring, as will the MGM, which will add almost 2 million sf of hotel, meeting, entertainment, and gaming space. The Frontier Hotel is now just a fond memory for Las Vegas. Hotel Group’s New Website Developed with Planners’ Input on Site-Selection Wants Washington, DC—Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) had meeting and incentive planners in mind when it redesigned its website. www.meetingnews.com The hotel co-op, which unveiled its online look last month, surveyed group business customers on Internet buying practices before creating the site. Now, www.alhi.com is very group customer friendly, it claims. The survey results Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando is indicated that destination just one property on the new ALHI website. was the first criterion in here has been announced. site selection for most planners, folViceroy Snowmass, a 236-unit lowed—in order—by property size, condominium property, will have type (city, resort, golf, spa, gaming, etc.), level of service, reputation, and 15,000 sf of meeting space, an aquatic center, a 7,000-sf spa, and 64,000 price. ALHI used this information when sf of shops, pubs, and restaurants. it rebuilt its site to enable planners to The $1-billion complex will open in winter 2009. search by those first three criteria: The hotel will also be environmendestination, size, or type. tally conscientious, according to manPlanners can then view photos, agement officials. Officials plan to information, and meeting space meet the guidelines for silver-level floor plan/capacity charts for each LEED certification for the project, as ALHI hotel related to their search. well as for future buildings on the site. Site visitors also can request to be “Snowmass has a tremendous legacontacted by the ALHI salesperson cy built on its natural beauty; striving closest to their location. for silver certification will play a key “We’re excited about our new role in creating a preeminent resort,” website, designed with and for planners,” said David Gabri, president and said Patrick Smith, president of RelatCEO.“It’s a comprehensive resource.” ed WestPac, the hotel’s owner. Added Brad Korzen, CEO of Kor Colorado Ski Village Project Hotel Group, the property’s managReceives a Royal Element er, “Snowmass doesn’t offer any Snowmass, CO—An anchor hotel high-end, design-savvy properties. for the new base village being built The Viceroy will fill that need.” H December 3, 2007 MeetingNews 7 http://www.alhi.com http://www.meetingnews.com

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