Site searches and selections have begun for 2015, and the AMI offices are abuzz with all of the awesome options we have for domestic meetings in the coming months. We have interviewed all of our hotel group partners, and below is our top 10 hottest pics for the new year!
1 Hotel South Beach Miami, Florida ~ February 2015
We are super excited about this green-but-glam, block-long 1925 art deco landmark featuring reclaimed wood interiors, hemp-filled mattresses, and a fleet of chauffeured Teslas. The 1 has much to brag about: farm-to-table food from Tom Colicchio, the city’s largest rooftop pool and the longest stretch of beach of any South Beach hotel.
JW Marriott Austin, Texas ~ February 2015
The city of Austin has a unique way of doing just about everything. All the time. From the nearly 200 live music venues – making it the “Live Music Capital of the World” – to the trendy “street eats” springing up all over town. If you’re looking for an authentic meeting experience, The JW Marriott Austin is it. The property will feature more than 112,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and easy access to the Austin Convention Center – just two blocks away.
The Mama Shelter Los Angeles, California ~ February 2015??
According to their press release, the Mama Shelter Los Angeles should be opening in February 2015, but except for a job posting on LinkedIn and a tightly wrapped building under construction on an LA intersection, one would never guess! We can’t wait to find out what the secrecy is all about when this ultra-hip brand makes its entrée in to the US.
Loews Chicago, Illinois ~ March 2015
Loews Chicago Hotel will occupy the first 14 floors of a highly visible 52-story tower located north of the Chicago River and two blocks east of North Michigan Avenue. The hotel will feature meeting spaces both indoors and out… perfect for a Spring or Summer meeting.
21c Museum Hotel – Durham ~ April 2015
21c has become one of our planners’ favorite brands. You won’t find 21c in any of the major US meeting corridors such as Los Angeles, New York, Miami or Vegas. These properties are perfect if you’re looking for a mid-east/west destination and trendy charm. Durham, NC is a natural fit for this unique brand that features curated, rotating exhibits of “museum-quality” contemporary art throughout all of the common and meeting spaces.
The Watergate Hotel Washington, DC ~ July 2015
There is no scandal here! The Watergate Hotel will reopen its doors this summer with a reinvention of its scandalous past, but what is most exciting is the addition of 17,000 square feet of meeting space that was not in the building’s original footprint.
Westin International Airport Denver, Colorado ~ November 2015
One of the challenges we face with booking Denver for fly-in meetings is the 25 mile snowy drive to the downtown area, which could take upwards of an hour with traffic. That’s why we are super excited to be able to offer the new Westin Hotel as a convenient option for clients. It is fully integrated with the airport’s new public transit center, and the sleek form resembles a bird with its wings extended as it hovers above the public plaza. This property features mountain views, an elite conference facility, and fine dining all without ever having to step foot in a sedan.
The Envoy Boston, Massachusetts ~ Fall 2015
It’s not very often that a major city sprouts a new neighborhood, but that is exactly what has happened in Boston’s Fort Point. Part of the South Boston Waterfront (Seaport District), Fort Point is home to a new construction site soon to be the Envoy Hotel. This $70 million project is said to include a pedestrian plaza that links to Boston’s HarborWalk and a rooftop terrace with spectacular views of the Boston skyline. Can’t wait to return to our favorite city and check out this new location!
Mount Stephen Hotel Montreal, Quebec Canada ~ 2015
What can we say? We are suckers for old historic properties! The exclusive neo-renaissance social club that was founded in 1926 by namesake, Scottish-born businessman George Stephen, is about to become the lobby of this spectacular property. Located close to Montreal’s chic boutiques and museums, it will house three banquet halls capable of accommodating up to 500 guests, an inventive à la carte restaurant, a garden patio and state-of-the-art meeting rooms.
JW Marriott Los Cabos, Mexico ~ 2015
This property will bring the rare beauty of a setting between the mountains, the sea and a palm oasis. Besides the raw natural beauty, features will include a picturesque world-class marina, two signature golf courses, and an abundance of recreational activities.
So there you have it! We reviewed almost 100 entries, and these are our top picks for 2015. We are excited about the potential for our clients in the coming year.