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Wizards, theWNBA'sWashingtonMystics and the NHL'sWashington Capitals. She is also well known as the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET).At the end of 2011, Salamander launched two new collections in Florida and the Dominican Republic.The portfolio now features: • Grand Golf Resorts of Florida ,which includes three of the Sunshine State's grandest golf resorts: Innisbrook Resort in Tampa Bay, Reunion Resort in Orlando, and Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast. • Grand Resorts at Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, which includes the oceanfront Sanctuary Cap Cana, the marina-inspired Fishing Lodge Cap Cana, and the future Ocean Club Cap Cana. • The Forbes Five Star andAAA Five Diamond-ratedWoodlands Inn near Charleston, SC. Rates during peak season at Salamander Resort&Spa range from $425 to $575 per night for a deluxe 540-sq. ft. guest room, depending on views and unique features such as working fireplaces. Suite pricing ranges from $775 to $3,500 per night. Special group rates and packages for individual travelers are also available.For more information about the resort, visit www.salamanderresort.com, e-mail info@salamanderresort.com or call (866) 938-7370. For group sales, call (540) 687-3710. Downtown Hotel Updates Almost 400 Suites with Fresh, Urban Design and Fitness Specialty Suite Omni Hotels & Resorts recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation of five floors of private suites at the Omni RENOVATION TO EXCLUSIVE LUXURY SUITES OMNI AUSTIN HOTEL COMPLETES Austin Hotel, located in the heart of downtown at 8th and San Jacinto. Just steps away from 6th Street, the Texas Capitol and the Austin Convention Center, the luxury hotel spent more than $1 million per floor on the project located on the top floors of the hotel. Essentially a hotel- within-a-hotel comprised solely of luxury suites and accessible through sepa- rate elevators, the renova- tion created fresh urban retreats with a residential, Hill Country flair. Designed by Leo Daly, the spacious suites range in size from 633 to 1,717 sq. ft. and feature classic Texas twists, including hardwood floors, drift- wood accents and barn door entries to the bed- rooms and bathrooms. The hotel's decor and other amenities all stem from the Austin urban rustic scene, creating an authentic experience throughout the hotel. During the renovation, the hotel added four specialty Fitness Suites complete with a treadmill facing a plasma screen TV, P90X videos, yoga mats, resistance bands and strength and stability balls. These suites offer the ultimate convenience and privacy to guests looking to stay on their fitness routine while on the road. The project also increased the number of suites from 375 to 392, including 42 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom suites. Five of the one-bedroom suites also have connecting doors to a standard guest room for a total of eight possible two- bedroom suites; three suites feature a full kitchen. The Omni Austin Hotel is known for having the largest suite inventory in Austin for a non-suite property. "Initial guest feedback indicates great excitement for our new suites," said Gene McMenamin, general manager of the Omni Austin Hotel. "Our diverse clientele, including business travelers during the week and leisure travelers on the week- ends, truly enjoy the added space and privacy for their home away from home." For additional information or to book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call (800) The-Omni. Travelers and media can also follow Omni on Facebook and Twitter at , Twitter.com/OmniHotels and Twitter.com/OmniHotelsPR. MASON JR. Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 9