Construction on tourist attractions may have Orange County hotels in a holding pattern in terms of growth, but some existing hotels are making sure they stay up to date.
They’re making renovations by the dozens that include everything from the addition of full spa facilities and upgrading Internet service to revamping pools and remodeling rooms and public areas. Here’s an update on renovations in OC:
n The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel has renovated its dining room,and retrained the dining room staff according to a hotel spokesperson. The Ritz-Carlton also recently added a separate facility for meetings on property and is adding high-speed Internet service for guestrooms.
n The Westin South Coast Plaza just completed its three-year, $12 million renovation. Among the changes: addition of a new porte cochere and entrance adjacent to the Grand Ballroom, the conversion of a restaurant into 3,500 square feet of banquet space and $5 million devoted to guest room renovations, including new beds,billed as the Heavenly Bed,to reflect a more homey atmosphere.
n The Disneyland Resort last week opened its new wedding gazebo at the Disneyland Hotel,a park-like area at the edge of the hotel property that can accommodate up to 400 guests. Meanwhile, the pool area at the Disneyland Pacific Hotel, is being overhauled. Part of what is now the parking lot for the two Disneyland Resort hotels will become self-parking for the Grand Californian, and a lawn area between the Disneyland and the Pacific hotels will be created. The changes are designed to better link the two properties into a more resort-like atmosphere.
n The Radisson Resort at Knott’s Berry Farm opened in January after its approximately $10 million overhaul. Two weeks ago, the hotel unveiled its on-site restaurant: Cucina! Cucina!, the second Southern California location (the other is at Ontario Mills) for this Bellevue, Wash.-based chain and the first franchise location. The Italian restaurant occupies 6,000 square feet at the Radisson and is owned and operated by Knott’s.
n The Hyatt Alicante in Garden Grove will begin an expansion this fall that will approximately double the size of that property and its meeting space.
n The Doubletree Hotel in Costa Mesa completed the addition of 11,000 square feet of meeting space earlier this year that isn’t just bringing in corporate business: the Orange County Classic Jazz Festival, formerly an LA event, will be held there in August, bringing about 10,000 visitors to the city.
n Tarsadia Hotels has torn up 247 rooms of the Jolly Roger Hotel and is converting those to a new 190-room property to be called the Portofino.
n The Sheraton Newport Beach will become a Radisson in June and undergo a $2 million to $3 million renovation of public areas and guest rooms.
n The Conestoga Hotel at the Park recently completed a $750,000 renovation of public areas and exterior.
n The Modesto-based Rim Corp.’s Best Western Raffles recently completed a $750,000 renovation of that Anaheim property’s guest rooms.
