Hotels reconfigure meeting rooms to lure corporate travelers and give casual feel

They’re no longer typical hotel meeting rooms. The New York Times reported that a group of hotel chains have taken steps to change the look of their meeting rooms into spaces that actually resemble lounges.

The reason for this is the Internet — whereas attendees previously went to meetings to get information that they couldn’t get otherwise, they can now access material online. In turn, meetings take on a new role for on-site networking and social gatherings, the Times said. Examples include recently renovated meeting rooms at the Westin New York at Times Square, which feature bookshelves, conversational seating areas and a permanent bar and food area. A new meeting room at the Grand Hyatt New York has wood and stone floors, leather furniture and counter spaces conducive to conversation.

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But the trend is also taking hold outside New York. For instance, the soon-to-open conference center at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona will have areas with walls that open up directly to the outside for an open-air feel. Even the FG Royal Hotel in Riga, Latvia has a corporate meeting space with leather sofas and a fireplace inside. [NYT]