Update on the North American events industry

We’ve recently taken a look at new hotel openings in the UK and Europe, so now we’re focussing on what’s happening in North America.

New York is expanding rapidly

There are almost 70 hotels being planned and built in the city at the moment, with around 35 due to open this year and 10 in 2022. Most of these are 4* and 5* properties.

Six hotels will belong to the Marriott International group. Three will be branded Marriott Hotels & Resorts and three will be part of Aloft Hotels. IHG is opening three Indigo brand hotels.

The Virgin Hotel New York is due to open in Autumn 2021 and is located in the NoMad neighbourhood on Broadway. There will be 463 bedrooms, meeting rooms, outside terraces, bars and restaurants, two floors of luxury retailers, and the mini-golf operator Swingers will open its first US operation in the basement.

The Ritz-Carlton Manhattan Nomad is also due to open at the end of this year. It will have about 250 bedrooms, meeting space, gym, restaurants and rooftop bar.

The Rockaway Hotel opened in 2020 and is located on Rockaway Beach with views of New York. It has 53 bedrooms, two meeting rooms, plus a sundeck, terrace and rooftop area which can be used for events.

New Orleans

Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans has an opening date of mid-2021, but hasn’t opened yet. It’s a 34-storey tower, built in 1968 and was originally the World Trade Center and International Trade Mart and is located on the river. There will be 342 bedrooms and suites, spa, observation deck and outdoor pool on the fifth floor. The larger ballroom has capacity for 324 people and there are 9 additional meeting rooms of various sizes.

Los Angeles

The Fairmont Century Plaza, Los Angeles is due to open in September 2021 and will have 400 bedrooms and suites, rooftop pool with a bar on the 17th floor and a spa. There are 14 event spaces, including two ballrooms. The original hotel was opened in 1961 and was the first hotel to have colour televisions in all of its rooms!

Canada

Destination Canada has announced that from 7th September, the country will open its borders to fully vaccinated travellers from any country who meet specific entry requirements, heralding a return for the conference, meetings and events industry.

The 1 Hotel Toronto is due to open on 4th August 2021. It was previously the Thompson Hotel and will have 112 bedrooms, rooftop swimming pool and four restaurants. There are two meeting rooms with capacity for 200 and 90 people seated and in addition there’s a private dining room, rooftop space, garden pavilion, lounge and 3rd floor terrace that can be used for events. The hotel is described as eco-friendly; the restaurants using ingredients from a 50km radius of Toronto and buying carbon offsets to reduce the carbon footprint.

The Humaniti Hotel Montréal is the first Marriott Autograph Collection property in Quebec. It opened in June 2021 and has three meeting rooms, which are flexible space, and 193 bedrooms. There’s a spa as well as residential, office and retail development in the same building.

For creative venue ideas for your events throughout the world, call 01780 484050 or email [email protected].