NATIONAL REPORT—Hotels and resorts around the U.S. are sprucing up their offerings with renovations designed to lure today’s traveler with a stylish haven. Here’s a look at what’s new:
Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront has completed a $13-million renovation of its 289 guestrooms and suites. The transformation comes as the hotel enters its second decade of existence on the boardwalk of Virginia Beach, VA.
The complete renovation of all of the rooms took place in phases beginning in 2016 with the hotel’s Empyrean Club rooms. Located on the top three floors of the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel, the Empyrean Club has 53 rooms, including two executive suites and the Empyrean Club lounge. The Empyrean Club rooms’ color palette emphasizes pale hues of white and cream with green, jewel-tone accents.
The final phase of the renovation was the hotel’s superior guestrooms, which make up the majority of the hotel’s inventory. Work on those rooms began in 2017 and was completed during the first quarter of this year.
Inspired by its oceanfront location, the hotel’s new superior guestroom design has a soothing, yet vibrant color palette of blues, creams and gray hues. With either a Hilton Serenity king bed or two Hilton Serenity double beds, these rooms have contemporary style furniture and accent pieces.
Hotel Crescent Court
In Dallas, the Hotel Crescent Court has completed a $33-million overhaul of its lobby, guestrooms, suites, corridors, spa and fitness center. It is the first major renovation since the hotel’s inception in 1986.
Dallas-based architectural interior design firm waldrop + nichols studio was tapped to re-envision the hotel’s new look, which marries the hotel’s classic identity with contemporary European luxury and sophistication.
The lobby offers guest pods, with various seating layouts sculpted to create meandering pathways encouraging flexible socialization, according to the firm. Designed to be a focal point, Beau Nash is the new champagne bar and cocktail lounge.
The full restoration of the 186 guestrooms and 40 suites—an addition of nine suites from the original—pays homage to the vision of Caroline Rose Hunt and the original architect and Pritzker Prize-winner, Philip Johnson, while incorporating modern enhancements such as new bathrooms and vanity areas.
The all-new 22,000-sq.-ft. luxury spa and fitness center was led by Dallas-based interior design firm, Michelle Meredith + Associates. The 16-treatment room spa has a bright, non-cluttered floor plan and incorporates natural elements such as water features.
Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District
Following an extensive $7-million renovation, the Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District is ready to greet guests.
The 133-unit hotel underwent a complete overhaul, taking design cues from the Central of Georgia Railroad roundhouse and repair shop, according to the company. Property enhancements include revamped guestrooms, redesigned bathrooms with new showers, meeting space, dining and bar area, lobby, pool and fitness center.
“We have invested more than $52,000 per key into the renovation. It clearly shows our continued commitment to the Hilton Garden Inn brand and the Savannah Historic District market,” said Whip Triplett, EVP of North Point Hospitality. “Our goal is to deliver brand-defining hotels, and I believe we have done just that with this renovation.”
Hyatt Regency Schaumburg
The Hyatt Regency Schaumburg revealed its completed renovation of all guestrooms and over 28,000 sq. ft. of event space. The Hyatt is adjacent to the Woodfield Mall, the fifth largest shopping district in the U.S.
The renovations include 468 modern guestrooms and suites, which include free internet access, HDTVs with premium channels, spacious livings areas, sofa sleeper, work desk and mini fridge. Amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, business center, heated indoor pool and whirlpool, outdoor pool, a landscaped outdoor patio, and shuttle service within five miles of the hotel. In addition, the hotel has a new restaurant concept, Market Bowl, a fully customizable and chef-composed concept.