As autumn settles in, the sun remains warm and the hospitality industry stays moving forward in California. From refreshed culinary experiences to renovated meeting spaces and debut properties, the hotel scene across the state is alive and well and ever changing.
The Hyatt Regency San Francisco’s rotating Regency Club Lounge is now open for bookings online and available for corporate gatherings, meetings, and conferences. The venue features 3,238 square feet of space for up to 150 attendees with stunning, 360-degree views of the city’s Embarcadero. Additional spaces for planners to consider include the Seacliff Room and Foyer, the Waterfront Room, the Atrium Lobby, several boardrooms, the Grand Ballroom, and more. hyatt.com
The Marriott Long Beach Downtown hotel in Long Beach unveiled 24,000 square feet of revitalized function space at the end of September. Two main ballrooms and nine meeting rooms cater to diverse group sizes and are equipped with wireless connectivity, video conferencing capabilities, docking stations, and smart whiteboards supported by an on-site audiovisual technician. Refreshed decor features a color palette of soft whites, grays, and bright blues, complemented by bold geometric patterns and eye-catching crystal fixtures. The second-floor Bixby Ballroom can accommodate up to 800 attendees, and its Landmark Patio features 1,890 square feet of space. marriott.com
The Paso Robles Inn in downtown Paso Robles underwent a $25 million renovation over the past year to restore its historical charm while adding modern, thoughtful updates. The 98-room property dates back to the late 1800s and today offers rooms styled after the California countryside, three culinary outlets, and five meeting venues that include its restored 19th-century Grand Ballroom, with capacity for up to 250 attendees. Other gathering spaces include its outdoor Secret Garden, the Matador Room, The Steakhouse restaurant patio, and the Executive Boardroom. pasoroblesinn.com
Napa’s 48-room Senza Hotel completed renovations to its lobby and library spaces along with upgrades to its culinary offerings in late September. The two-story lobby now features mosaic tile, a fireplace, and new artwork that includes vintage bells for the front desk, while the The Library—the hotel’s on-site culinary outlet that also features gathering space— received a refreshed patio area. The hotel’s culinary program was spiced up to better showcase the ingredients and flavors of the northern California region. Event planners can book its 709-square-foot meeting room for intimate board meetings and conferences. senzahotel.com
The desert oasis of Palm Springs welcomed the new Thompson Palm Springs hotel in early October. The property spans 2 1/2 city blocks along Palm Canyon Drive in the downtown area and features 168 bungalow-inspired guest rooms, the Lola Rose Grand Mezze restaurant led by Executive Chef Quentin Garcia, and more than 20,000 square feet of function space. Additional amenities to come include an adults-only tower, Upper Stories, with a separate collection of 42 guest rooms; and two other dining concepts including Hall Napa Valley Tasting Room, coming later this year and Bar Issi, slated to open early next year. hyatt.com
