Meeting and Convention Hotel News

In Jan. 2015, the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego overlooking San Diego Bay completed a meeting space renovation, one of several planned renovations throughout the property that began in 2012. In total, 136,000 sq. ft. of meeting space was remodeled with a “California coastal” color palate, new lighting fixtures, art, architecture and audio visual technology. The Coronado meeting space, Seaport (formally known as Elizabeth Ballroom), Harbor Ballroom, America’s Cup room and the 34,000-sq.-ft. Grand Hall are among the renovated areas. The construction included upgrading the Kin Spa to become the chic Marilyn Monroe Spa and turning unfinished concrete storage space on the 32nd floor into an exclusive meetings venue with amazing bay views. Lael’s Breakfast Restaurant is slated to reopen at the end of April 2015 as Seaview: a dining space by day and event venue by night featuring a new patio option for outdoor dining. Renovations to Top of the Hyatt cocktail lounge with stunning views of San Diego Bay will be complete Sept. 2015.

In Dec. 2014, Marriott Marquis San Diego & Marina broke ground on a new $107 million dollar ballroom expansion project that will add two new 36,000-sq.-ft. rooms overlooking the San Diego skyline and a 25,000-sq.-ft. outdoor terrace overlooking the bay. The renovation is expected to be complete by June 2016.

In March 2015, Hilton San Diego Mission Valley completed a $12 million renovation including a new outdoor event deck and new onsite restaurant called Polcano Kitchen & Bar, serving Latin-style cuisine and led by executive chef Nicholas Villamil. The 350-room hotel’s lobby and interior spaces have been redesigned, including a new city view executive lounge. The property’s 21,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event spaces have also been renovated, adding a demonstration kitchen with retractable doors and a hot-stone granite buffet. The hotel now offers an artisan food marketplace for meals and other items available for to-go purchase, along with a Starbucks espresso bar and a new fitness center. The outdoor event and pool spaces have new furnishings and allow for alfresco dining year-round.