Illinois

• Davidson Hotel Company in June was selected to manage the 367-suite Embassy Suites Chicago-Downtown. The hotel is scheduled to undergo a complete renovation during the fourth quarter of this year. Suites feature high-speed Internet access and guests may bring their own video game systems with connections to hook up to the hotel’s 32-inch flat-panel televisions. Hotel amenities include an on-site restaurant and wine bar, 6,000 square feet of meeting space, a fitness center, 24-hour business center, indoor swimming pool and complimentary evening manager’s reception. For more information, call 312.943.3800.
• The Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in Chicagoland recently unveiled its newly renovated lobby, bar and ballroom. All 390 guest rooms, including six suites, have been upgraded to include flat-screen televisions and plug-in technology. The 10,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom received a makeover as well. The hotel also announced its new bee project, installing two beehives to house 100,000 bees. The honey the bees produce will be used to supply the kitchen with honey and to create honey mead. For more information, call 847.634.0100.

Indiana

• The Courtyard Fort Wayne Downtown at Grand Wayne Convention Center opened in May in Fort Wayne’s central business district. With over 250 guest rooms and suites, 6,500 square feet of meeting rooms and banquet facilities, two on-site restaurants, a fitness center/indoor pool and an outdoor venue for special events, the property is part of a $120 million development of downtown Fort Wayne’s revitalization project. Key to the new hotel is its skybridge connection to local partners the Grand Wayne Convention Center and Embassy Theatre. The convention center offers 100,000 square feet of meeting and prefunction space, while the Embassy Theatre can house events. For more information, call 260.490.3629 or visit.
• The Hampton Inn Indianapolis-NE/Castleton recently unveiled a new look after completing extensive renovations to all 128 guest rooms, which now feature 32-inch flat-screen televisions. The hotel also offers complimentary Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and exercise room. For more information, call 317.576.0220 or visit.

Michigan

• Dearborn’s The Henry hotel, formerly the Ritz-Carlton, will become part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott, a select group of upscale independent hotels. The hotel’s new owners, Greenwood Hospitality, will embark on a multimillion-dollar renovation and facelift for The Henry. The hotel features 308 guest rooms, including 14 suites, as well as 26,000 square feet of total meeting space, including 12 meeting rooms and the Presidential Ballroom, with a maximum seating capacity of 1,200. For more information, call 313.441.2000.
• The 126-room, 38-suite Hampton Inn & Suites Detroit/Airport-Romulus opened in May adjacent to the Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Metro Airport. Hotel amenities include complimentary high-speed Internet access and 37-inch high-definition televisions. For more information, call 734.595.0033 .

Missouri

• Ameristar Casinos in June announced plans to add 100 rooms and a fitness center to the Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City. The expansion is targeted for completion in the fourth quarter of 2011 at a cost of approximately $14 million. The addition will complement the property’s existing 184 rooms and hotel lobby, which were renovated in September 2006. The hotel addition will feature 80 deluxe rooms and 20 suites. An adjoining fitness center will be available to all hotel guests. The hotel offers meeting space for up to 450 and complimentary Wi-Fi access in guest rooms and the lobby. For more information, call 816.414.7000 or visit.