Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/443780
11 B M & T ••• September/October 2014 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Connection to the Adjacent Loews Royal Pacific Resort Offers Combined Meeting Space of 272,000 Sq. Ft., Along With 2,000 Rooms When it opens in the summer of 2016, the new Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando will feature a colorful, Caribbean atmosphere along with more than 131,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The new Universal Orlando Resort hotel will be located between Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Loews Royal Pacific Resort. The hotel will be built around a lush, tropical lagoon and feature a towering waterfall. An air-condi- tioned, covered bridge will connect Loews Sapphire Falls and Loews Royal Pacific. Together, the two resorts will have 272,000 sq. ft. of combined meeting space and 2,000 rooms. "We are excited to continue our growth plans at Loews Hotels by building another hotel with our long-standing partners at Universal Orlando," says Jonathan Tisch, chairman of Loews Hotels & Resorts. "This project marks a first for our company, as we will connect the meeting space at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort with the meeting space at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, giving planners new options for their meetings and events in Orlando." "Our meeting and event planners repeatedly tell us that Universal Orlando provides a completely immersive experience from the moment their attendees arrive and are transported to another place," said Tom Williams, chairman and CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts. "We look forward to bringing them yet another incredibly themed expe- rience featuring wonderful meeting and event options with the opening of Loews Sapphire Falls Resort." Loews Sapphire Falls Resort's 131,000 sq. ft. of meeting space includes a 41,000-sq. ft. ballroom, a 32,000-sq. ft. second ballroom, 15,000 sq. ft. of additional meeting room space and 43,000 sq. ft. of pre-function space. This adds to the recently announced expansion of Loews Royal Pacific Resort's meeting space from 85,000 sq. ft. to more than 140,000 sq. ft. Meeting and events planners can visit www.uomeet- ingsandevents.com or call (877) 823-2042 now to book for 2016. Loews Sapphire Falls will become the destination's fifth resort hotel and its 1,000 rooms, including 77 suites, will bring the number of on-site hotel rooms at Universal Orlando Resort to 5,200. Inspired by the picturesque rivers and waterfalls of the Caribbean, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort will immerse guests in a themed environment featuring traditional isla nd styling with modern touches. A resort-style pool with a water slide and sand beach will help form a central courtyard area and will be surrounded by the hotel's guest rooms. There will be water taxi and shuttle access to all of the dining and entertainment options throughout Universal Orlando Resort. UNIVERSAL AND LOEWS HOTELS & RESORTS ANNOUNCE N E W H O T E L F O R U N I V E R S A L O R L A N D O R E S O RT Caribbean-themed Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Will Feature131,000 Square-Feet of Meeting Space–Plus 1,000 Rooms and Suites nected business travelers who seek more informal settings to gather and conduct business. Guests will find plenty of plush, comfortable seating, a large community table for laptops and strategically placed outlets for charging all of their devices. High-speed wired and wireless Internet is available as well as two desktop comput- ers, which are free for the first 15 minutes of use. Of course, for those mixing busi- ness and pleasure, servers can easily deliver food and beverage orders from the adja- cent lobby bar. As with the first set of renovations, Dallas-based design firm Looney & Associates was charged with transforming all public areas into contemporary yet coastal-casual spaces that carefully balance business and pleasure. Once again, the team has used the surf and sand as inspiration for its soothing color palette of neu- tral tones with various shades of blue for accent touches. Selected by art-consulting group Soho Myriad, large modern art installations were added to the now open and airy entry, creating a dramatic sense of arrival for guests. "From the moment they step through our doors, both first-time and repeat guests are sure to be delighted," said general manager Paul Joseph. "Our new look better reflects our superior guest experience and our new offerings further raise the bar to solidify our place as Tampa's premier luxury hotel." For more information and reservations, please visit: www.grandtampa- bay.hyatt.com.