Striking properties complement key meeting destinations
Marriott Marquis Houston
Opening this month in the Houston convention district, Marriott Marquis is an example of a hotel that is coming online during a city’s game-changing renaissance. The 1,000-room property is located in the heart of downtown and connected via skybridge to George R. Brown Convention Center. It adds more than 100,000 sq. ft. of event space to the convention district, including Houston’s largest ballroom at 39,000 sq. ft. Among the amenities are a Texas-shaped lazy river and Biggio’s, a two-level sports bar.
“Houston is such a vibrant, exciting city,” says Scot Cotton, general manager. “This property will play a large role in redefining Houston as both a convention and leisure destination, and to be part of the city’s evolution is truly an opportunity.”
Houston’s convention district is getting a $1.5 billion facelift in time for the 2017 Super Bowl, set for Feb. 5. Pedestrian-friendly Avenida Houston will offer 99,000 sq. ft. of space.
Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
The rebirth of New York City is reflected in the new Four Seasons, which opened in September with 189 rooms and suites, and 6,815 sq. ft. of event space. It’s within walking distance of World Trade Center and stunning Oculus Mall, a true symbol of revitalization following the 9/11 attacks. Four Seasons features Wolfgang Puck’s Cut, marking the celebrity chef’s first restaurant in Manhattan. (The 82-floor building also includes 157 Four Seasons Private Residences.)
“Downtown New York has been reborn as the city’s most vibrant neighborhood,” says Peter Humig, general manager. “It’s no longer simply a business district. You can feel the energy the minute you arrive, and we are proud to be in the heart of it.”
Hilton Orlando
Connected via covered walkway to Orange County Convention Center, the AAA Four Diamond Hilton has 1,417 guest rooms and 236,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space. In July, the property completed the addition of 11,000 sq. ft. of meeting and prefunction space. The expanded meeting space is located adjacent to the Hilton’s 50,000-square-foot outdoor promenade, which can host up to 3,000. Onsite food trucks are popular with groups.
