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V O L . X X I N O. X I V 80 FA C T BO O K / D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N M A I N E M E E T I N G S / E V E N T S L ucky for businesses both in-state and over the border, the hotel industry in Maine's major cities has seen a resurgence. New chains, boutique hotels and independents alike are opening doors for both the business and leisure traveler. Maine's hotel industry reached $809 million in revenue in 2014, a statewide increase of 5.7% over 2013, according to Greg Dugal, executive director of the Maine Innkeepers Association in Augusta. e association is predict- ing similar growth for this year. "It's a growing industry. I see $1 billion in our future," says Dugal. Hotel occupancy rates statewide as of March (the latest reported num- bers) were 44.1%, down slightly from 45.2% in March of 2014. Revenue per available room (room revenue divided by rooms available), the measure the hotel industry uses to track growth, was slightly higher in March at $39.94, compared with $39.87 the same month in 2014. Year to date as of March, rev- enue per available room was at $34.96. e name of the game for the state's hotel industry is to return to the pre-recession business atmosphere of 2007, says Dugal. "Last year we turned a corner and this year most people are say- ing advance bookings and budgeting are probably as good as we've seen in a long time. e industry is back on track," says Dugal. Contributing to hotel sales was a 5% room growth statewide. e ma- jority of the new growth in Maine's hotels in 2014 was in downtown Portland, where three hotels opened in late 2013 and 2014 alone: Hyatt Place Old Port and the Courtyard Portland Downtown opened in May, and the Westin Harborview completed its reno- vations of the former Eastland Hotel in December 2013. ese new hotels contributed to a 20% increase in tax- able hotel sales reported by the city of Portland in 2014, notes Dugal. In Portland's downtown, e Press Hotel is in the former Portland Press Herald building, and opened in May. Guests are greeted with a newspaper theme throughout the hotel, from car- peting designed with typesetter's letters to thought-provoking quotes scattered around the hotel. It was designed by architecture group Stonehill & Taylor, developed by Jim Brady and is part of Marriott International's Autograph Collection of boutique hotels. "When clients see our space they are inspired by our innovative design and refreshingly new and interesting venues. Meeting planners are thrilled to have an off ering that has a high level of design and service off erings — it refl ects well upon them because their clients are wowed every time they come in," says Linda Prescott, director of sales. e hotel's meeting space includes fi ve event rooms that accommodate 130 people each, and onsite catering provided by Union restaurant. Another recent opening, on Great Diamond Island, a short ferry ride from Portland, was the Inn at Diamond Cove. Its opening was de- layed two years by a devastating fi re in 2013, just as it had been refurbished the fi rst time. e inn is positioned as a retreat for both families and couples, with 44 rooms and suites with private balconies and kitchens. General Manager Aaron Black says the inn's potential bookings could come from weddings held at e Diamond's Edge restaurant on the island. e inn's meetings business is suitable for social business gatherings or classroom-type presentations and can accommodate 40 people. "We believe the inn really presents itself as the most convenient upscale retreat available in the Portland down- town area. You walk to the ferry, and in 25 minutes you're on your own island. It's feels like a world away," says Black. Elsewhere in Portland, the Hyatt Place Old Port and the Courtyard Portland Downtown Waterfront are both celebrating one-year anniversaries. Courtyard is geared toward the business traveler, and was one of the fi rst of the franchise to unveil its complimentary "Refreshing Business" service with semi- private lobby "pods" where guests can conduct business. e Hyatt Place, which courts both business and leisure travelers, has a seventh fl oor with balcony suites that is unique to the hotel brand. e Hyatt is a limited-service hotel with full-service amenities, noted Deborah Roberts, director of sales. Hyatt Place has one meeting room with a capacity of 48 that has grown to accommodate both business meetings and holiday parties. A fl oor-to-ceiling glass "crinkle" wall at the front of the building is one of the features that has given the hotel a repu- tation for being "unique and chic." Growing competition in Portland means hotels are going to great lengths to attract customers. e Westin Harborview opened in the former Eastland Park Hotel in December 2013 and off ers a "running concierge," whose job is to go on early morning runs with hotel guests. " e Westin is all about health," says General Manager Bruce Wennerstrom, citing a health club, yoga classes and an onsite Akari spa. In the Bangor area, a Residence Inn by Marriott is scheduled to open in July, which follows on the heels of the company's Town Place Suites that opened in fall of 2014. e Holiday Inn was scheduled to fi nish a major renovation before the summer season. " e majority of properties have really gone through great renovations gearing up to what the community can off er. Times change and what people expect of properties," says Kerrie Tripp, executive director of the Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau. Elsewhere in Bangor, e Courtyard Marriott was completed in 2006, followed by the Hilton Garden Inn and Hollywood Casino in 2008 and the Hampton Inn across the street from the Hilton in 2011. Other hotels in the works for the state include the Residence Inn in Bath, the Lincoln Hotel and Lofts in the Lincoln Mill in Biddeford and Hampton Inn locations planned in Bar Harbor and Lewiston. Other lodging developments underway in Camden and Rockland. Whether you're local or "from away," the state's hotel industry is ready and rooms are available. F i o n a R o b i n S o n , a w r i t e r b a s e d i n Y o r k C o u n t y , c a n b e r e a c h e d a t e d i t o r i a l @ m a i n e b i z . b i z P H O T O / I R V I N S E R R A N O / C O U R T E S Y T H E P R E S S H O T E L Heads in beds New hotels add to statewide inventory B y F i o n a R o b i n s o n Portland's new hotels and meeting spaces Courtyard Downtown (2014) Meeting rooms: 3 Catering: offsite Hyatt Place (2014) Meeting rooms: 1 Catering: offsite Meeting amenities: Smart board The Press Hotel (2015) Meeting rooms: 5 Catering: onsite Westin Harborview (2013) Meeting rooms: 9 plus grand ballroom Catering: onsite Meeting amenities: onsite A/V company PSAV The Press Hotel is housed in the former Portland Press Herlad building. The hotel has a newspaper theme throughout, including typesetter's letters and old typewriters.