Leading resorts across the region are unveiling multimillion-dollar enhancements designed to redefine the guest experience
A wave of high-impact renovations is reshaping the hospitality landscape as several premier resorts debut significant upgrades ahead of 2026.
From fully redesigned guestrooms and modernized suites to refreshed meeting and convention venues, elevated dining concepts, and enhanced entertainment spaces, these multimillion-dollar transformations signal a renewed commitment to delivering elevated, experience-driven stays. With phased unveilings continuing into next year, each property is entering a new chapter—one defined by contemporary design, improved functionality and a seamless blend of comfort and sophistication.
Huntington Place
Huntington Place marked the start of construction on the highly anticipated Second Ave. extension with a beam-signing ceremony attended by city leaders and project partners. The first beam signifies the beginning of a vital new connection that will, for the first time, create direct, pedestrian- and vehicle-friendly access from downtown Detroit around Huntington Place to the riverfront.
Stretching from Congress St. to Steve Yzerman Dr., the extension will cross over the M-10 Freeway and is expected to open in summer 2026. It will provide a crucial link to major developments including the new JW Marriott and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park.
W New York – Union Square
W Hotels unveiled the $100 million transformation of W New York – Union Square. The reimagined 256-room landmark returns as a flagship expression of the brand’s elevated, culture-driven luxury, reclaiming its role as a creative hub in the city where W Hotels was born.
Honoring its Beaux-Arts heritage, the redesigned Living Room showcases restored architectural details alongside bold modern touches inspired by Grand Central Station.
The hotel introduces new guest rooms inspired by seasonal shifts in the park, the brand’s first Living Room Café, a reinvented rooftop bar, upgraded FIT gym and refreshed meeting spaces.
Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk
Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk will debut a $5.7 million renovation of its meeting and event spaces before the end of this year. The project features refreshed ballrooms and meeting rooms with modern, warm design inspired by San Antonio’s vibrant culture, plus upgraded restrooms, technology, lighting and furnishings to enhance the event experience..
Appellation Healdsburg
Appellation Healdsburg has officially opened as the flagship hotel of the culinary-driven brand founded by Chef Charlie Palmer and hospitality leader Christopher Hunsberger. The new 108-room resort blends approachable luxury with Sonoma County’s food, wine, and agricultural heritage, debuting two signature Charlie Palmer restaurants—Folia Bar & Kitchen and Andys Beeline Rooftop—alongside the nature-inspired Terroir Spa, two pools and more than 15,000 sq. ft. of indoor-outdoor event space.
The resort features culinary gardens, winding paths and immersive Crafted at Appellation workshops led by local makers and artisans. Agrarian-inspired guest rooms open to balconies and patios with vineyard or pool views, while amenities include locally sourced pantry items, luxury linens and spacious suites.
Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk
Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk has completed a nearly $9 million renovation that transforms its lobby, restaurants and public spaces. The refreshed lobby now features modern check-in desks, dark wood accents and striking crystal chandeliers. The project also debuts new dining experiences, including Moda Fare with elevated Italian cuisine, Tejas Lounge showcasing Texas spirits and a renovated Spoonful Provisions coffee house.
Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa
Hyatt Hotels Corporation announces the opening of Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, a new all-inclusive beachfront escape on the secluded northeast coast of the Dominican Republic. Joining its adults-only sister property, Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, the family-friendly resort blends nature, comfort, and connection in a region known for pristine beaches and lush surroundings.
The newly built property features 500 rooms and suites, including swim-out options, along with three pools, a vibrant waterpark and dedicated Explorer’s Club and Core Zone programs for kids and teens. Guests can choose from ten restaurants and seven bars, highlighted by global flavors and locally inspired Dominican cuisine.
A shared Public Square connects Dreams and Secrets, offering dining, shopping and entertainment in a lively village-style setting. With more than 15,000 sq. ft. of event space, serene Caribbean views, and easy access to nearby natural attractions, Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa delivers a scenic, all-inclusive getaway for every generation.
Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Fairmont Grand Del Mar unveils its newly enhanced meeting and event spaces, offering a refined blend of natural beauty and luxury on its 400-acre estate beside Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. The resort now features more than 20,000 sq. ft. of indoor and 50,000 sq. ft. of outdoor flexible space, accommodating events of up to 600 guests.
The Canyon Terrace, a 2,550-square-foot garden-framed venue overlooking the golf course and canyon, provides an intimate setting for receptions of up to 150 guests or dinners for 100. For larger gatherings, the reimagined Grand Social outdoor lounge spans 25,000 sq. ft. across three levels, creating a dynamic flow for cocktails, dining and entertainment, with capacity for 450 for receptions or 380 for seated dinners.
Guests also enjoy award-winning dining—including Michelin three-star Addison— a Forbes Five-Star spa, a Tom Fazio–designed golf course, and 234 luxurious guestrooms and suites with sweeping canyon views.
The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami
The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami will reopen on Dec. 8, 2025, following a $100 million transformation that brings a new era of contemporary coastal luxury to its 17-acre beachfront setting. Inspired by the serenity of Key Biscayne and the vibrant rhythm of Miami, the reimagined resort features open-air architecture, floor-to-ceiling ocean view and an elevated palette of natural textures and sun-washed tones.
The refresh spans every corner of the property, including a fully redesigned spa surrounded by lush gardens, six new dining concepts, and enhanced pool, cabana and water-sports experiences. Public spaces such as the lobby now feature sculptural lighting, a glass façade framing the Atlantic and a tranquil fountain terrace that extends toward the shoreline.
The resort’s 421 renovated guest rooms and suites blend modern elegance with coastal calm, while families will enjoy the new Ritz Kids Club. With expanded wellness offerings, curated retail and elevated culinary experiences, the resort’s renewal ushers in a sophisticated new chapter on Key Biscayne.
University of Kansas Convention Center
The University of Kansas has unveiled its new conference center at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, marking a major step in the evolution of the University’s Gateway District. Designed by Multistudio, the facility expands the traditional role of collegiate athletic venues, creating a flexible, high-performance environment where academics, athletics and business intersect.
Following the recently renovated stadium, the conference center transforms the district into a year-round destination for meetings and community events. Located in the north end zone, the space features operable partitions, adaptable lighting and integrated technology to support everything from 300-person banquets to symposia and private receptions. Multistudio’s Brand Experience team infused the center with KU’s identity through graphics, digital displays and flexible furnishings.
An adjacent Field Club opens directly to the turf through operable glass walls, creating a dynamic connection to game-day energy and positioning the Gateway District as a premier regional hub for gatherings.
Green Valley Ranch Resort
Green Valley Ranch Resort has completed the renovation of 199 West Tower rooms, marking a major step in the property’s multi-phase, $200 million transformation. The refreshed rooms are now open for guest stays, with newly renovated West Tower suites debuting in January 2026. Renovations to the remaining East Tower rooms, suites and the South rotunda lobby are underway and will debut alongside upgraded meeting and convention spaces in 2026.
The redesigned resort and executive rooms reflect contemporary luxury with residential warmth, featuring layered textures, Calacatta marble surfaces, custom lighting, 65-inch smart TVs, Nespresso machines and elevated amenities.
In early 2026, the resort will unveil refreshed meeting spaces spanning 69,000 sq. ft., along with upgraded ballrooms, breakout spaces and event venues.
