Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
After several years of work, the final phase of renovations is complete at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. The $4 million refresh of the meeting and event spaces and addition of the Sheraton Club mark the total transformation of Arizona’s largest hotel. The property is a short walk from the Phoenix Convention Center.
Meeting attendees at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown will find new lounge-style seating in the pre-function spaces. Upon entering the event, they’ll be greeted by fresh acoustic boards, lighting, carpets and wall coverings that give all 110,000 sq. ft. of meeting space a clean, modern finish. Behind the scenes, planners can take advantage of the latest AV tech and an award-winning onsite planning team to help the event go smoothly.
The new Sheraton Club is also open to hotel guests or meeting attendees that purchase access as well as Marriott Platinum Members. It features an elevated food and beverage service, pastries in the morning and dessert at night, Starbucks coffee and luggage lockers. Carcara, the hotel restaurant opened in March of this year, serves Native American and Sonoran-inspired cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails in a warmly decorated space. Casual American fare can be found at & More by Sheraton for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
If you’re craving Asian food, the downtown Phoenix area is dotted with options. Nearby Arizona Center hosts Omoide Sushi and Noodle, a quick casual restaurant with fresh nigiri and specialty sushi rolls. Zen Thai Cafe has a casual, friendly atmosphere with Thai staples. Thai Basil Signature Downtown Phoenix, Ramen Kagawa and Harumi Sushi & Sake are also close at hand. There are plenty of chic bars and pubs to relax in after a productive day as well.
Read More: Sunny Meeting Forecast in Phoenix
The Westin Indianapolis
A multi-million dollar renovation has refreshed the guest rooms and event spaces at The Westin Indianapolis. The 575-room downtown property has direct skyway access to the Indiana Convention Center in addition to meeting spaces of its own.
The Westin Indianapolis has 42,500 sq. ft. of it across 23 event rooms. Its largest space is the newest addition—a second-floor, 3,500 square-foot room with a panoramic view of the Indiana State Capitol. Professional AV technicians are onsite to assist external meeting planners. If your event needs even more room, the Indiana Convention Center has 750,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, meeting rooms and pre-function space.
For a bit of relaxation, the Club Lounge serves breakfast daily and snacks throughout the day. Ten Hands Social Bar & Eatery is a casual pub food and pizza restaurant with a retro feel. It hosts Indianapolis’ biggest TV screen, with 27 smaller TVs joined into a 6 foot by 34-foot screen. Back in the guest rooms, each has a mini fridge, premium entertainment channels and Heavenly Beds. The interiors have been decorated with contemporary art and calming neutral colors.
A block east of the convention center, event attendees can find a group of high-end restaurants and bars in Circle Centre Mall. Harry & Izzy’s is a contemporary steakhouse with a wide selection of wines. Its neighbor St. Elmo Steak House is known for its cocktail lounge, steaks and seafood. Spoke & Steele is a sleek lounge serving creative local cuisine and custom cocktails. Yard House is an elevated sports bar with an extensive menu of New American food and draft beers.
Hyatt Regency Boston/Cambridge
A scholar-focused property has renewed its entrance, lobby and event spaces to improve guest experience. Hyatt Regency Boston / Cambridge is fittingly situated between Boston and Cambridge and overlooks the Charles River. The 470 guest rooms and suites are decorated with neutral tones accented by bright yellows, many with views of the Boston skyline.
The atrium and lobby have been given a warm neutral palette with leather elements. Existing amenities such as the indoor heated pool have been joined by a new fitness center, digital concierge and two dining options. Paperback Tavern sits just above the Charles River and serves modern New England fare in a modern library setting. Its companion Paperback Provisions offers gourmet to-go food all day along with books and merch for nearby colleges.
Boston / Cambridge has 25,000 sq. ft. of meeting space featuring views of Boston through floor-to-ceiling windows, modern AV, a meeting concierge and more than 20 indoor and outdoor spaces. Planners can spread their events between three ballrooms and several meeting rooms, a pavilion, a courtyard and a garden. The catering team changes the menu seasonally and specializes in Indian and Kosher cuisine.
Between parks and streams, Boston is home to multiple shopping centers that are a short drive from the hotel. CambridgeSide Mall hosts 120 stores and eateries overlooking the Charles River. Across the river, Prudential Center, Copley Place and Newbury Street have several high-end boutiques, retailers and worldwide restaurants. To the north, Assembly Row in Somerville has a series of big-box stores, restaurants and cafes next to the Mystic River.
Read More: New and Renovated: Beachfront Bling and Innovative Venues
The Aster
An adults-only member’s club and hotel opened this week in Hollywood by the name of The Aster. Extensive amenities, programming, dining and entertainment give guests the VIP experience in 95,000 total sq. ft. and 35 suites. Each room has a minimum of 750 sq. ft. with separate seating and dining areas.
Amenities are The Aster’s specialty, hosted in a series of indoor and outdoor spaces. The Club Room is a 24-hour lounge with West Coast fare. Above the lobby, Aster Park hosts an outdoor pool deck and an indoor lounge space with two gym spaces, a Pilates studio and a wellness suite. On the sixth floor, the segmented terrace is one of the largest in Hollywood. A screening area, views of the Hollywood sign and, coming in September, the restaurant Lemon Grove serving local Los Angeles dishes are all on the roof. Also available are dedicated workspaces, a recording/podcast studio, curated menus and a salon.
Many of these spaces and more can be reserved for meeting and event use. The Study, the Pool Room, the Vine Room, the Cinema and Conference Room B make up more than 4,300 sq. ft. of indoor space, with an additional conference room in the works. Sections of the scenic terrace can also be booked by private groups.
The Aster has a full schedule of programming for members and hotel guests. The Salon has a rotating cast of nail artists, barbers and makeup artists. In the Cabaret Room, comedians, burlesque dancers, inspirational speakers and educational talks entertain guests daily. The movie theater and rooftop screening area regularly play films and exclusive previews. Lemon Grove will host live music complemented by cocktails.
