What’s New in Hotel Openings, Renovations and Conversions

Here’s a look at some of the week’s highlights when it comes to hotels changing hands, switching flags and making their debuts . When available, the property’s meeting space is given in parentheses.

Breaking Ground

–Construction started on a new DoubleTree by Hilton in in Columbia, Mo. columbiatribune.com

Openings

–A new Hilton Garden Inn opened near Salt Lake City International Airport (4,800 sq. ft.). hotelnewsresource.com

Renovations

–The InterContinental Miami is wrapping up a $30 million renovation (more than 101,000 sq. ft.). miamiherald.com

–The former Fitzgeralds Casino & Hotel in downtown Las Vegas has completed a $15 million project to convert it into The D Las Vegas (8,000 sq. ft.). bizjournals.com

Ownership Changes

–Driftwood Hospitality Management of North Palm Beach, Fla., has acquired the Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. hotelnewsresource.com

–Two years after opening, The Setai Fifth Avenue in New York City has been sold to the owner of Langham Hotels, which will rebrand the property (about 5,000 sq. ft.). hotelmanagement.net

–The owner of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, bought the Riverwalk Casino and Hotel in Vicksburg, Miss. (5,600 sq. ft.). courier-journal.com

–BA Hotel LLC of Orange County, Calif., bought the 271-room Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham hotel in Sacramento, Calif. (more than 5,800 sq. ft.). sacbee.com

–A joint venture that includes new manager Concord Hospitality Enterprises of Raleigh, N.C., purchased the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Kingston, Ontario, and is planning renovations to public areas (14,000 sq. ft.). hotelnewsresource.com

–Real estate investment trust Summit Hotel Properties Inc. acquired eight Hyatt Place hotels in the Denver, Baltimore, Chicago and Phoenix areas. hotelnewsresource.com

Branding Changes

–The former New York Helmsley Hotel is now Westin Hotels’ Flagship Manhattan property, The Westin New York Grand Central, following a $75 million renovation (12,000 sq. ft.). businesswire.com

–The former Radisson Hotel Sacramento in California has officially been reflagged as the Red Lion Hotel Woodlake Conference Center Sacramento (more than 50,000 sq. ft.). hotelnewsresource.com

–The former Iberville Suites in New Orleans has completed its conversion and opened as the Courtyard New Orleans Downtown/Iberville (2,046 sq. ft.). frequentbusinesstraveler.com

–The National Hotel and Suites Ottawa in Ontario, Canada, has joined the Ascend Collection, Choice Hotels’ portfolio of affiliated hotels. It will remain independently owned and operated (more than 11,000 sq. ft.). boston.com