Recent Debuts to Host Destination Meetings with Serious Style
The East Coast welcomes spectacular renovations and grand re-openings of unique venues that are certain to invigorate attendees with the charm of their dreamy destination and the distinct character of their storied history. Meet in what was once a vaudeville theater, in the first Hilton property established in Boston or on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.
To the Theater
The site that once housed the landmark 1917-established vaudeville venue, Victoria Theater, and later a historic cinema, had gone unused for many years—until recently, when Renaissance Hotels opened Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel. The location in one of Harlem’s original Opera Row venues—only two of which remain today—is one that offers a culturally rich experience. The renovation that transformed the site into a hotel space preserved the original marquee and ticket booth and the extraordinary old-world staircase at the entrance. Throughout the property, black and gold trim maintains an interior design that celebrates the Harlem Renaissance era of the early 20th century. Event spaces implement design elements that pay homage to Harlem’s historical icons and artists.
The opening marks Harlem’s first full-service hotel in a century. 9,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space across five venues can each accommodate up to 300 people. Event spaces are fully customizable, with the ability to host anything from board meetings to team-building retreats to performing arts.
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A Taste of Hilton History
In the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston, Hilton Boston Park Plaza recently debuted and rejoined the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio. The property was Hilton’s first hotel in Boston when purchased by Conrad Hilton in the mid-20th century, then called Statler Hilton. Today, the property offers 70,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, 1,060 contemporary guest rooms and two restaurants—Off the Common and Strega Italiano.
The guest rooms, which include 55 suites, are brightly lit and feature New England inspired artwork and stone-topped cabinetry. The expansive meeting space includes a 13,215-square-foot Grand Ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, original Baccarat Crystal Chandeliers and ornate balconies. Avenue 34 and The Square offer a more city-inspired, chic design. With 35 meeting rooms and three ballrooms, planners can design their perfect event, from social gatherings to corporate meetings.
Throughout its over-100-year history, the hotel has hosted numerous U.S. Presidents, dignitaries, celebrities and cultural events. It is conveniently located only four miles from Boston Logan Airport and only a block from the historic public park, Boston Common. It stands near the Theater District and the Arlington T Station, so guests can easily explore the entire city.
Making Meetings a (Sea) Breeze
On the beachfront of the Atlantic Ocean is the newly renovated Ashore Resort and Beach Club in Ocean City, Maryland. With 250 guest rooms and 40,000 sq. ft. of event space, the resort’s panoramic ocean views are just one of the many things that draw planners here. The guest rooms all emulate the coastal atmosphere with sea-inspired textures and color palettes and a sliding glass door that leads to a terrace with ocean views.
The resort’s largest conference room spans 7,500 sq. ft., and is only one of 16. The 5,775-square-foot Shore Deck is a pristine beachfront gathering space with skylights and floor-to-ceiling doors that wash the space in natural light and offer easy access to Atlantic Ocean views. A wide selection of seating and standing options, as well as AV capabilities, make for a versatile space that can easily transition from daytime meetings to post-meeting festivities.
Ashore’s signature restaurant, Tide Room, also saw renovations and now features indoor and outdoor seating—also with those spectacular ocean views—and a dedicated event space plus more customizable options.
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