The Bethesda, Maryland-based, company has more hotels and rooms coming on line than any other hotel franchise company, according to a new report. And this means an abundance of new options coming soon for meeting planners.
Marriott’s numbers for 2017 are staggering. In the United States, Marriott will add 1,301 hotels and 167,641 rooms, according to a report from Lodging Econometrics.
Marriott got a boost from its purchase of Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 2016. The $13 billion deal added 10 brands—including St. Regis, Westin and Sheraton—to its portfolio. About 1-in-3 rooms in its U.S. pipeline flows from the Starwood buy.
A few highlights from the Lodging Econometrics report:
* Fairfield Inn is the largest brand in the pipeline, with 297 projects kicking in 26,284 rooms.
* Marriott accounts for 1-in-3 projects under construction nationwide. That’s a total of 471 hotels.
* The company leads the industry in projects expected to start construction in the next year with 705 hotels and 85,902 rooms.
* Another 125 projects are in the early-planning stage. They account for 167,641 rooms.
* Marriott has hotel development underway in 42 states and Washington, D.C.
A few high-profile properties scheduled to hit the market this year and next include:
* AC Hotel Miami Aventura in April
* Moxy NYC Times Square in July
* Gaylord Rockie Resort & Convention Center in October 2018
Hilton ranks No. 2 in the rush for hotel rooms. In the fourth quarter of 2016, Hilton tied Marriott for new hotel openings, each with 79 new properties opening their doors.
Kingston Resorts’ location along the famed Grand Strand in Myrtle Beach and its nationally recognized meeting staff is what we call a win-win destination. Kingston Plantation and the adjacent Kingston Shores comprise Kingston Resorts, one of the largest and most comprehensive resort complexes on the East Coast. Myrtle Beach was named the number-one beach in the U.S. by Tripadvisor.com in 2010 and 2011 and the # 2 in the top 10 beaches in the U.S. by Travel Channel in 2016. Escape the ordinary and experience Myrtle Beach, only better.
Lush, Luxurious, Breathtaking
Kingston Plantation has more than 500 luxurious guest accommodations on 145 lush acres including the 255-suite oceanfront Embassy Suites that blends breathtaking views with the comforts of home. Other options include oceanfront condominiums, lakeside townhouses and villas.
Kingston Shores sits on an adjacent 12-acre site that includes Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort and Royale Palms condominiums. Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort is a 385-room oceanfront resort with lavishly appointed rooms and a luxurious resort pool complex. Royale Palms offers a variety of oceanview and oceanfront accommodations ranging from one to three-bedroom oceanview condominiums.
We’ll Meet Your Every Need
Kingston Resorts offers 103,000 square feet of meeting space and an event staff to deliver the exceptional. The Kingston Plantation Conference Center at Embassy Suites features 70,000 square feet of meeting space in 17 rooms on a single floor including a flexible ballroom that can accommodate groups from 50 to 2,000. The Palmetto Pavilion features 9,200 square feet of special-event space and climate control, allowing for free movement around the pool complex and beach.
Kingston Shores offers 33,000 square feet, which includes the 14,400-square foot Hilton Conference Center, a state-of-the-art facility with special acoustics, lighting and rigging. Additionally there is a 6,500-square-foot oceanfront ballroom on the top floor of the Hilton.
Sparkling Blue and Green
Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach and Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort were the first hotels in Myrtle Beach to receive green certifications by the South Carolina Green Hospitality Alliance.
We’ll Pamper You and Your Group
All guests enjoy complimentary access to a state-of-the-art 50,000-square-foot sports club featuring an indoor pool, fitness equipment and recreational activities. Other amenities include the Royale Day Spa and Splash! water park. The Landing, our new Spa and Fitness Club will open in early summer 2017 to provide even more opportunities to stay happy and healthy.
Delectable dining options include Vintage Twelve, an upscale contemporary open kitchen restaurant, that capitalizes on the abundance of fresh local produce and seafood enhanced by ocean views and Coastal Grill that serves Embassy Suites guests a complimentary, cooked-to-order breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner. Café Amalfi at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort is a casually elegant restaurant with exquisite seafood, pasta and steaks in a spectacular oceanfront setting. Oceanfront and poolside cocktail bars along with coffee shops and room service provide every level of dining service you could want.
Visit kingstonresorts.com today to experience our winning combination or call (877) 360-0799.
What if you could book not only your next meeting, conference or convention, but a package for your next three, five or even ten events? And what if that package was created and executed flawlessly by the premier meetings provider in North America? Discover expert meetings services, coast to coast.
The Hyatt Convention Alliance combines the collective power and strategic experience of ten of our landmark hotels from coast to coast and an unparalleled commitment to quality and service, taking meeting planning to an entirely new level.
At Hyatt, we believe every meeting should be inspiring and successful. That’s why we offer innovative and flexible spaces, stylish guest rooms and healthy food choices for your attendees. Our dedicated meeting experts will graciously handle all the details and artfully manage the distractions, so you become free to succeed.
A grassroots effort, the Alliance was created by hotel managers to respond to the industry’s evolving needs and better serve each customer. From guaranteeing rates and availability, to all-inclusive contracts, to focusing on your every last detail, our team works to make every event a resounding success.
Imagine having not just one dedicated meeting expert for your event, but a second one who will handle the next event in your package. There’s no better way to learn about you, your business and your needs. Or to ensure consistency from one event to the next.
We invite you to leverage the Alliance’s turnkey solutions for your next event or events package. And to experience the best personal service in the industry.
Take advantage of 10 Hyatt meetings properties in key markets. Spread out in more than 1.5 million square feet of functional event space and over 13,000 beautifully appointed guest rooms. We have custom packages for any meeting or event of any size, and Event Services Teams to make working seamlessly across locations possible.
Rendering courtesy of LAWA
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) broke ground on a $1.6 billion midfield passenger terminal Monday that will provide 12 aircraft gates, as well as lounges, retail stores, restaurants and a state-of-the-art baggage system.
Midfield Satellite Concourse will be built just west of Tom Bradley International Terminal, which underwent a $2.1 billion renovation and expansion that was completed in 2015. A 1,000-foot passenger tunnel with moving walkways will connect the new five-story concourse to the Bradley terminal.
The new terminal, which is expected to be finished in late 2019, is intended to address the growth at LAX and reduce use of its outer gates, where passengers exit planes onto the tarmac and take buses to the Bradley terminal.
Midfield’s gates will help provide space for places during ongoing upgrades of other terminals. The largest commercial planes, such as Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A380, will be accommodated at two of the gates. Seven more gates could be added to the 12 during a planned second phase of construction.
The concourse is part of a $14 billion modernization project that includes upgrades for all passenger terminals, airfield improvements, a consolidated car rental facility and a transportation hub that will provide light rail service to and from the airport.
LAX is the main West Coast gateway to the United States. It handled a record 80.9 million travelers last year, and the total is expected to reach 98.6 million by 2040. The airport has received low ratings in recent public surveys, however.
Former Mayor James Hahn planned a large development project in 2006, but it was opposed by neighborhood groups. A settlement was reached, allowing for specific “green-light” projects, including the new concourse.
Meeting planners often don’t get to show their wild sides. But if your conference takes place in a locale known for its wild animals, then here’s your chance. In fact, here are eight. These ethical and incredible activities are sure to make an unforgettable outing. Animal-loving meeting planners, rejoice.
This mobile hotel is one of a kind. It’s designed to follow the tracks of polar bear migration. The hotel promises guests the opportunity to be right in the middle of the polar bear habitat. Viewing is available day and night (with a smaller group).
2. Paddle by Manatees
Location: Manatee Paddle (Crystal River, Florida)
Manatee Paddle offers rentals, sales and tours so visitors can stand-up paddle (SUP) or kayak among manatees in Three Sisters Springs and King’s Bay. Free SUP instruction is included with rental.
An official wildlife sanctuary, the arboretum houses an array of peafowl along with various migratory birds, small reptiles, mammals and aquatic creatures.
4. Swim with Pigs
Location: Harbour Safaris (Bahamas)
Pigs are natural-born swimmers, so the service is considered safe and fun for both parties. The number of pigs on Pig Beach ranges from five to more than a dozen. When it’s hot, pigs tend to hide in the bushes, but other times they’re excited to welcome new guests.
5. Howl with Wolves
Location: International Wolf Center (Minnesota)
The International Wolf Center aims to raise awareness about wolf-human interaction. Visitors can explore exhibits, observe wolves, and partake in educational programs and activities.
6. Play with Bugs
Location: Audubon Insectarium (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Visitors are encouraged to explore a wide variety of insects. As the biggest North American insect museum, Audubon Insectarium also educates visitors on the importance of numerous insect species. Visitors are welcome to venture through a Louisiana swamp, attend a bug award show and enjoy free-flying butterflies in its Asian garden.
7. Join the Elk Migration
Location: National Elk Refuge (Jackson, Wyoming)
Guests take a sleigh ride to an elk refuge. The refuge ensures a natural winter habitat for the elk herd and other endangered species, including birds and fish.
8. Cuddle with Goats, Chickens and More
Location: The Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary (Woodstock, New York)
At the sanctuary, visitors can closely interact with animals and immerse themselves in farm life, enjoying the opportunity to frolic with goats, cuddle with chickens and nuzzle sheep.
La La Land photo by Lionsgate
The 89th Academy Awards air this Sunday from Hollywood. Some people care about the music, while others care about the costumes. As meeting planners, we want to know more about the interesting locations we’re seeing. The filming locations of this year’s best picture nominees were certainly notable. We take you on a planner’s tour of the films’ picturesque settings—from Montrealto Atlantato Sydney—and break down where to host an event.
Arrival
Synopsis: After a mysterious spacecraft touches down on Earth, a team of experts is formed to investigate. Linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) leads the exploration in search of fundamental answers that could prevent a global war.
Filming location: Montreal, Quebec
Notable conference center: Palais des congres de Montreal, holding 113 rooms and venues with 551,520 sq. ft. of space.
Interesting attraction: Walk the four distinct ecosystems found in North and South America at the Montreal Biodome: Laurentian Maple Forest, Tropical Forest, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Labrador Coast and Sub-Antarctic Islands. Visitors of all ages will appreciate the variety of animals, including puffins, penguins, beavers, frogs, snakes, monkeys, bats and more.
Iconic meal: Fairmont Bagel—soaked in honey water and baked in a wood-fire oven—paired with smoked meat.
Why you should visit: Many restaurant options, diverse cultures and subcultures, eco-friendly, year-round festivals, and art museums.
Fences
Synopsis: An adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) is a black garbage collector in 1950s Pittsburgh. He is resentful that segregation in baseball was eliminated only after his days in the Negro Leagues. The lingering frustration is evident in his interactions with those closest to him.
Filming location: Pittsburgh
Notable conference center: David L. Lawrence Convention features 53 meetings rooms for a total of 77,952 sq. ft. and two 250-seat lecture halls.
Interesting attraction: The Duquesne Incline has been carrying visitors up Mount Washington since the 1870s. Restored in 1963, it’s one of two trolleys that take you up the hill to a spot where three Pittsburgh rivers converge. From a large platform over the cliff, there are beautiful photograph opportunities during the day and views of dazzling city lights at night.
Iconic meal: Sandwich, with Italian bread, stuffed with meat, ketchup, coleslaw and french fries or a simple bowl of Pierogis. Finish with a smiley cookie from Eat’n Park.
Why you should visit: Home of Heinz, good coffee, affordable entertainment, Andy Warhol Museum and a variety of subcultures.
Hacksaw Ridge
Synopsis: The true war story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), who saved the lives of 75 men without using or carrying any firearms in Okinawa, Japan, a brutal WWII battleground. Doss was the only American soldier in WWII to refuse a weapon and was morally opposed to killing, even in war.
Filming location: Sydney
Notable conference center: International Convention Center Sydney provides more than 86,000 sq. ft. of meeting room space across 70 rooms. The adjacent headquarters hotel, Sofitel Darling Harbor, holds 590 rooms.
Interesting attraction: Sydney Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major attraction in the city. The building resembles billowing sails, or shells, and is surrounded by water. Visitors may use this location for photo opportunities, indoor and outdoor tours, theater entertainment, and concert hall shows.
Iconic meal: A beetroot burger, optional Vegemite add-on, and Tam-Tams for dessert.
Why you should visit: Beach city, Taronga Zoo, free activity options, architectural beauty, harbors and art galleries.
Hell or High Water
Synopsis: Brothers Toby (Chris Pine) and Tanner (Ben Foster), reunite after years of estrangement to rob different branches of the bank attempting to foreclose on their inherited family land. Simultaneously, Texas Ranger Marcus (Jeff Bridges) is seeking one last thrill before his impending retirement. Marcus begins to close in on the brothers during their series of robberies.
Filming location: Clovis, New Mexico
Notable conference center: Clovis Civic Center offers 4,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and an 11,325-square-foot ballroom and exhibition hall.
Interesting attraction: Under Lock and Key is an excellent team-building experience. The live escape games are highly interactive, challenging and exciting. A team of two to six people is locked in a room and given an hour to solve puzzles and find clues that ultimately lead to an escape from the themed room.
Iconic meal: Enchiladas, with blue corn tortillas, and green chili stew, paired with Piñon coffee.
Why you should visit: Rich rock ’n’ roll history, college sports, Clovis Depot Model Train Museum, tribute band festivals, 22.5-acre Hillcrest Park & Zoo and rodeo activities at Curry County Events Center.
20th Century Fox
Hidden Figures
Synopsis: The true but generally untold story of three African American women working at NASA. Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) use their brilliance to create one of the largest space operations in history: the launch of John Glenn into orbit. This accomplishment was essential to the nation and revolutionized the Space Race.
Filming location: Atlanta
Notable conference center: Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart provides 500,000 sq. ft. of available space (100,000 sq. ft. of contiguous space), more than 45 breakout rooms and 1,100 Westin hotel rooms on-site.
Interesting attraction: World of Coca-Cola presents the fascinating history of the iconic soda. The museum details the story of how chemist Dr. John Pemberton created the soft drink in 1886 while attempting to concoct a cure for headaches.
Iconic meal: Chili cheese dog, paired with a cold Coca-Cola of course.
Why you should visit: One of the world’s largest aquariums, Fox Theater, graffiti street art (which is encouraged) and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthplace.
La La Land
Synopsis: A romantic musical that follows Mia (Emma Stone), a hopeful but struggling actress, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), an old-school jazz musician. Both struggle daily to achieve their dreams in the backdrop of modern-day Hollywood.
Filming location: Los Angeles
Notable conference center: Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) holds 64 column-free meeting rooms, with sizes range from 308 sq. ft. to 26,342 sq. ft.
Interesting attraction: The Griffith Observatory is on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. The facility, opened in 1935, provides incredible views of the Los Angeles Basin and Hollywood Sign. Griffith Observatory also offers intriguing space and science exhibitions.
Iconic meal: A colorful plate of high-grade sushi.
Why you should visit: Disneyland, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive shopping, hip nightlife, major production studios, celebrity sightings, warm weather, beaches and food trucks.
Manchester by the Sea
Synopsis: When his brother dies, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) becomes the sole guardian of his nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges). Lee returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea to look after 16-year-old Patrick. Being in this community compels Lee to deal with issues from his past.
Filming location: Manchester, Massachusetts
Notable conference center: The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Center, which is located on 15 acres of woodlands.
Interesting attraction: Singing Beach, with nearly a half-mile of shoreline. Its name comes from the sound that the sand makes when walked on. The beach is open seven days a week, including showers and changing areas. Singing Beach is just a five-minute walk from town and from the train station.
Iconic meal: New England clam chowder, lobster roll and a bloody mary.
Why you should visit: Gorgeous shores for a total of 13 miles, small-town charm, commercial fishing and other water activities year-round.
Moonlight
Synopsis: The three chapter story of a young man’s struggle to define himself while dealing with all of life’s obstacles, including his own sexuality.
Filming location: Miami
Notable conference center: The IACC certified Kovens Conference Center has 37,000 sq. ft. of flexible event space and complete meeting packages.
Interesting attraction: The Art Deco District is reminiscent of 1930s Florida. Pastel-colored buildings hold neon signs and offer many outdoor dining options where stunning beach views can be seen.
Iconic meal: The Cuban Sandwich with a cafe con leche.
Why you should visit: Fantastic beaches, tropical weather, vibrant nightlife, water activities, impressive shopping options and Everglades.
More than 100 people gathered outside Trump Tower in Vancouver on Tuesday morning, but not with open arms.
As a gesture of defiance against President Trump, protesters chanted and sang the Canadian national anthem. This reaction is unsurprising in a city where immigrants make up 40 percent of the population.
As reported, Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony inside the hotel. During the event, reporters were not permitted to ask questions.
The Trump organization does not own the new Vancouver tower. Instead, the president licensed his name to the tower and enlisted his company for hotel management. Previously, Trump had promised to not pursue any new foreign deals and to separate company management from his administration.
The tower stands as the second-tallest building in Vancouver.
The protest comes only a few hours before the president makes his first address to Congress. Trump is expected to address topics such as tax reform, simplifying regulations and infrastructure spending. World financial markets will certainly be watching with a critical eye. The speech will begin at 6 p.m. PST.
Sneaky airline fees have become so standard that it’s hard to call them “sneaky” anymore. The trouble, critics say, is that when you price out fares on websites like Priceline or Kayak, the cheapest flight often doesn’t disclose all those pesky little add-ons that would make the lowest price actually the more expensive option. “Upgrades” like a fee for a carry-on bag or picking your own seat.
Say what? We know. As meeting planners, those extra costs for basic service expectations can really hurt your bottom line. Enter Hopper.
The popular travel app launched in 2015 promising not only to track airfares, but to also send you alerts on price changes with the ultimate goal of predicting when to book to get the best price. Hopper also suffered from the same issue as the other big travel sites: hidden fees. What could a data-tracking travel app do? The answer is surprisingly simple: Be upfront about all the fees. Genius!
Hopper recently introduced the Fair Bear (for any child of the 1980s, the uncanny resemblance to Care Bear is purely coincidence, right?), who tells you that the fare you see may look cheap, but maybe it’s really not.
On the app’s Trip Summary page, the Fair Bear swears to warn you of any extra costs due to cancellation, flight changes, carry-on bags, checked bags and seating.
As Hopper said in its announcement of Fair Bear: “It’s tough to figure out your true cost of flying because the airlines are increasingly ‘unbundling’ their offerings.”
And considering that the airline industry made $67.4 billion last year alone on those extra fees, it seems the market will just get more unbearable.
Arriving at a destination marks a midpoint of a trip, not the beginning. By then, travelers have already trekked to the airport, navigated security and maybe caught a connecting flight. Much of that time is spent passively, either sitting in one vehicle or waiting to board the next. Often, the best options for physical activity and relaxation are to make like a mall walker or snag a coveted airport rocking chair. But that is changing.
In recent years, yoga and meditation rooms provided a low-impact boost to airport fitness and wellness amenities. Now, a crop of full-fledged gyms has sprouted in airports and onsite hotels worldwide, from Toronto and Chicago to Munich and Dubai.
For those who prioritize a workout over a charging station stakeout, it’s a welcome development. Customers pay a daily or hourly usage fee—typically between $10 and $40—for access to equipment, towels and showers. Munich Airport’s Kempinski Hotel Fit & Fly Spa even offers personal training services upon request. Many facilities also include spa-like amenities such as pools, saunas, massages, hot tubs and steam rooms to lure travelers who want to test out the trend without engaging in a full-on sweat session.
Airport gyms make most sense at mid-destination airports where extended layovers and long connecting flights are the norm. To appeal to fitness-minded world travelers who aren’t operating on local time, Dubai International Airport’s G-Force Health Club is open 24 hours.
Flight delays aren’t ideal, but they do present another opportunity to work out on the go. Travelers routed through Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, which is frequently cited on most-delayed airports lists, may find themselves with extra time to visit the Hilton Athletic Club in Terminal 2.
By offering travelers the chance for a mid-journey workout, airport gyms help to counteract a common complaint—that making time for fitness on the go is too difficult. Leaving your exercise clothes in your checked luggage won’t let you off the hook, either. A number of airport fitness facilities offer workout gear for rent.
There are some complicating factors to consider when negotiating the combination of unscheduled time and exacting agenda that characterizes air travel. For example, anyone using a gym at an on-site airport hotel typically must leave the airport’s sterile area. That means you would have to clear security and/or customs again before boarding your next flight.
Be sure to keep track of time while working out, and stay alert for gate changes and status updates. The 10,000-square-foot GoodLife Fitness location at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport helps the cause by posting an Arrivals and Departures board on the wall near the warm-up area.
Editor’s note: We’re trying something new! We handpicked a few of our stories from the March issue and decided to give you a sneak peek. You can expect the entire issue online the first week of March. Enjoy!
Hilton Initiates New Branding
Hilton announced new benefits for all 60 million members of Hilton Honors, its loyalty program, as well as a new logo and branding style on Feb. 1. These initiatives were revealed at a successful time for the company. Recently, Hilton has benefited from a string of prosperous timeshare businesses and real estate ventures.
Hilton Honors now includes benefits unique to its program. It is currently the only loyalty program that provides an option to mix money with points when purchasing a stay. In addition, points can be used for transactions on amazon.com and Diamond Status can now be lengthened without travel.
“At Hilton, we are committed to continually innovating to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, the company’s president and CEO. “Enabling our Hilton Honors members to use their points to shop at amazon.com, along with the other industry-first perks we’re announcing today, are some of the many ways we are honoring that commitment.”
The program will also allow members to pool points with up to 10 friends and family members. Therefore, beginning in April, a network of up to 11 people can combine points toward a stay—a feature especially geared toward enhancing parties, events and outings.
The Hilton Honors logo will change from HHonors to Honors, removing one H, and will no longer use “Worldwide” in its title. Both adjustments reflect the hotel chain’s movement toward simplicity.
Hilton has also been focused on streamlining services through applying current technologies. For instance, rooms can be accessed through a digital key on the Hilton Honors mobile app. This service is currently available in nearly 800 hotels and is expected to reach 2,500 by the end of 2017.
Omni Introduces New F&B Program
In February, Omni Hotels & Resorts introduced Omni Originals, a new food and beverage program aiming to showcase regional culinary talent. Each quarter, a new timely and exciting food and beverage theme will be revealed.
In homage to National Homemade Soup Day, Feb. 4, a Sensational Soups promotion began on Feb. 1 and lasted the duration of the month. Every Monday in February, an Omni hotel offered a different homemade soup, inspired by its distinct region. Guests were offered a complimentary soup taste and options for full-size cup and bowl orders.
Soups included a tortilla soup, recipe by executive chef Gabino Acosta of Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas; New England clam chowder, recipe by executive chef Gerard Tice of Omni Parker House in Boston; a classic tomato soup and grilled cheese, recipe by executive chef Robert Ash of Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando; and a lobster bisque, recipe by executive chef Sean Merchant of Bob’s Steak & Chop House in Dallas.
Recipes were dictated by the individual culinary history of the hotel’s distinct location. Food assignments for the remaining quarters in 2017 will be released in the upcoming months.
Grand Hyatt Prepares to Finally Open Baha Mar Hotel
The 1,800-room Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, which was planned over a decade ago, is expected to open this year.
“We will open [Baha Mar] in phases, with 200 rooms opening on April 21,” said Graeme Davis, president of Baha Mar. “The remaining rooms will open in phases. Our plan is to have all three hotels open and operational by the winter season of 2017–2018,” Davis said.
The all-inclusive, adults-only Melia Nassau Beach has been open for three years. SLS Baha Mar, with 300 guest rooms, will open in stages from September to November 2017. The 200-room Rosewood Baha Mar will open in December 2017.
According to Davis, the casino will be the largest in the Caribbean, with 100,000 sq. ft., 1,100 slot machines and 125 gaming tables. Set to open in spring, the casino will be located between the two hotel wings. A paired convention center is a standalone facility within walking distance of the Hyatt. Offering a 40,000-square foot ballroom, the property hosted its first event in February.
In the original plan, the Baha Mar was going to have five hotels with an anchor property, Baha Mar Casino Resort & Hotel. The entirety of the original space is still being used, but, it will be created under the anchor property branding. Reservations will likely be available to book 30 days before the scheduled opening date.
Rendering courtesy of LAWA
