Makeover For Condado Plaza

Interior design firm Leo A. Daly merged Old San Juan with the Condado Lagoon in the reconstruction of the Royal Ballroom at the Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino in San Juan, PR.

The Royal Ballroom captures the history and architecture of the city's dynamic culture with the benefits of modern technology and functionality. The transformation was a part of the ongoing multi-million-dollar redesign and refurbishment of the Condado Plaza, once the top hotel in one of the city's toniest neighborhoods.

The 8,090-square-foot ballroom offers spectacular views of the nearby waters with access to natural daylight through floor-to-ceiling windows. Cream patent leather upholstered walls offer a neutral background contrasted by the bold carpeting's stylized hibiscus detail and tropical undertones that include vivid hues of red, pink and taupe. The stage's dramatic proscenium is wrapped in leather tufting that helps conceal the lighting elements. The glass railings that divide the ballroom's two tiers include vertical strings of brushed-nickel spheres.

A full-service bar enhances the look, incorporating an abundance of mirrored surfaces and striking star designs that echo the stage details. The lobby, foyer and outdoor terrace accent the two-level ballroom, creating plenty of additional space for a large event.

Timeshare/Resort Briefs

In early November, IAC announced a plan to separate the firm into five separate companies, one of which will be Interval International and will include CondoDirect, Resort Quest Hawaii and VacationSource.com ….Interval promoted Elaine Campes to director of resort account management and Christina Stuver to director of resort operational support….RCI signed an agreement to add the cruise ship M\V Pacific Aurora to the RCI network. The ship cruises the Canadian waters on both summer and winter excursions….Prince Resorts Hawaii is in the middle of a $150-million repair and renovation project for its Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Hawaii. The property, which has been closed since the end of 2006, reopens at the end of the year….The Family of Orange Lake Resorts recently completed a $3-million renovation of its resort in Panama City, FL….The 8th annual Ragatz Associates Fractional Interest Conference will be held March 18-20 at The Fairmont San Francisco. Go to www.ragatzassociates.com.

….Security products vendor Onity released CodePro, a PIN code-based electronic locking system specifically for the vacation ownership and property management segments of the hospitality business.