Louisiana
Alexandria
Paragon Casino Resort & Conference Center: The property completed a $150 million expansion in September that included the addition of a 205-room tower, a 12,000-square-foot spa, a salon, three movie theaters, a bayou-themed atrium, an indoor pool with waterfalls and a swim-up bar, a fitness center, and retail space. The Mari Convention Center features a 2,500-seat showroom and 8,000 square feet of additional meeting space.
Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge River Center: The center features 200,000 square feet of new and renovated space, including a new 70,000-square-foot exhibition hall, a 23,336-square-foot ballroom, a 10,400-seat arena, a 1,897-seat performing arts center and eight meeting rooms.
Embassy Suites Hotel: After an “extreme makeover” of guest rooms, lobby and banquet facilities, the hotel added a business center, fitness center and wireless Internet capabilities. The hotel offers two meeting rooms and more than 7,000 square feet of function space for up to 500.
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center: The hotel opened in 2006 with 290 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of meeting space after a complete restoration of the historic Heidelberg hotel.
Louisiana State Museum: Opened in 2006 across from the capitol building, the museum is the newest and largest branch of the state museum system. It offers 10,000 square feet of indoor and covered outdoor space for groups of up to 750.
Lake Charles
Southwest Louisiana/Lake Charles CVB: A new $350 million casino resort called Sugarcane Bay is slated to open on Lake Charles in 2009 and feature 400 guest rooms and a variety of restaurants, retail shopping, a tropical pool area and an island spa.
L’Auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino Resort: Has begun a $45 million enhancement project that will add a 250-room tower this year. The resort offers 750 rooms and more than 26,000 square feet of meeting space.
New Orleans
New Orleans Metropolitan CVB: All of the city’s major hotels are now open for business, according to the CVB. There is still no firm date for the opening of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans at the Superdome.
The Astor Crowne Plaza: In 2006, the hotel unveiled an additional 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space for a total of 30,000 square feet of function space. In September 2007, the hotel was purchased and new owners announced plans to update the interior, improve the overall guest experience, and retain and add staff. The hotel will remain open during renovations.
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center: Underwent $60 million in renovations that included new flooring and furnishings on all three levels, hotel-like finishes, and a brighter environment.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside: Completed a $50 million renovation in the fall of 2006, including the opening of a new Metairie-based restaurant, Drago’s.
Hilton New Orleans St. Charles: Opened in early 2007, the 250-room hotel completed renovations of its guest rooms and 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including the Skyview Terrace on the 18th floor.
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans: Reopened at the end of 2006, the 527-room hotel features an additional 8,000 square feet of event space on the first floor, bringing the total to 39,000 square feet.
Slidell
Northshore Harbor Center (985) 781-3650;
www.northshoreharborcenter.com 45,000-square-foot facility is designed to accommodate more than 2,000 people. Its 18,000-square-foot main hall can accommodate 1,110 for a banquet.
