HYATT INT'L completed a multi-million-dollar
redesign of all guestrooms of the Hyatt Regency in Tampa. The
redesigned rooms incorporate a tropical color scheme using bright
yellow and palm green; guest bathrooms were upgraded with imported
granite. The renovation qualifies the property for an upgrade to
Grand Hyatt status and it will henceforth be known as the Grand
Hyatt Tampa Bay. As part of its new status, the hotel now features
upgraded technology and business and leisure facilities.
MOTEL 6 opened its newly rebuilt 148-room
property at 5909 America Way in Orlando on the International Drive.
The hotel is now the prototype of the chain's new "Motel of the
21st Century" style, which incorporates interior corridors,
dataports in every room, computerized front and back office
systems, a swimming pool and electronic door locks. It is the
fourth Motel 6 property in Orlando.
MARRIOTT INT'L is planning a $58 million
renovation of the Marco Island Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa
at Marco Island, incorporating a 24,000-square-foot Balinese-style
health spa. The renovation will also include a new
10,000-square-foot ballroom and a beachside terrace that will offer
panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. Two of the property's five
restaurants will be redesigned. The 18-hole golf course also is
getting in on the renovations with a $4 million upgrade under the
direction of golf course architect Bobby Cupp. The golf course is
scheduled to be open by December.
SONESTA HOTEL & SUITES Coconut Grove,
Miami, is paying travel agents 12% commission for its "Winter
Travel Agent Special" and giving automatic room category upgrades
for travel through Feb. 28. Under the promotion, clients booking a
standard room will be upgraded to a deluxe studio. Those booking a
deluxe studio will be promoted to a one-bedroom suite.
FAIRCHILD TROPICAL GARDEN on Old Cutler Road in
Coral Gables will host Miami's First Annual Orchid Fest April 4
to6, which will be a haven for orchid lovers. The Fairchild hopes
to capitalize on the buzz created by the new movie "Adaptation,"
starring Meryl Streep and Nicolas Cage, which was based on a
best-selling book called "The Orchid Thief," about, you guessed it,
an orchid thief. The event will include the display of hundreds of
orchids from more than 70 species from around the world, orchid
authorities that will present lectures, workshops and
demonstrations on orchid cultivation, as well as food vendors and
musical entertainment. For more information see www.fairchildgarden.org.
SPECIAL NOTE: With this issue, Travel Weekly is
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