The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center

A visionary Texan, George Mitchell, laid out plans for The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center in 1973. Located a half hour north of Houston, today’s resort combines more than three decades of updating, expansion, and refinement with Mitchell’s original idea of staging meetings in nature, removed from the day-to-day pressures of the urban business environment.

Groups convene in 60,000 square feet of meeting space cushioned by 28,000 acres of lakes and woodlands. The conference center features a 13,500-square-foot Grand Ballroom and 32 meeting rooms—nearly all filled with natural light and flanked by views of Lake Harrison and forest. State-of-the-art communications and audiovisual equipment, 18-hour executive conference chairs, tackable wall surfaces, planner supply kits, and dedicated conference managers only scratch the surface of details perfected over 27 years of IACC certification.

Between meetings, participants rest easy in 440 business-savvy accommodations, which include rooms and suites on an exclusive concierge floor. They pursue everything from team building to fine dining to pure relaxation at two championship golf courses, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a spa and fitness facility, a three-pool complex brimming with water features, and over 145 miles of nature and bike trails. Slated for completion in 2009, a $50 million renovation will bring a brand-new entrance and steak house, 158 new guest rooms, and a lazy river winding through the woodland setting. There are no packages available at this time. There are no hot dates at this time. Posted Mar 17, 2008 by jasminea
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$50 Million Transformation and Expansion Planned For
The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center

THE WOODLANDS, TX - (Tuesday, December 04, 2007) - The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center has announced it will embark on a comprehensive, $50 million transformation and expansion project to include the build out of 158 new guestrooms, the addition of a winding, lazy river as well as a new, dramatic entrance and a fine-dining steakhouse.
"The $50 million dollar renovation will reposition The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center as an AAA Four-Diamond Resort with amenities unique to the region," said Dan Leverett, Vice President of Commercial for The Woodlands Development Company. "This is a project that truly will transform a Texas legend into a world-class resort experience."
Construction is expected to begin in early 2008 with an estimated completion date in late 2009.
The new guestrooms will be located in Fairway Pines III, a four-story structure to be located adjacent to the property's Fairway Pines I and II guestroom buildings. The new guestroom design features soothing earth tones, textures and patterns to reflect the resort's natural surroundings. Weathered leather furnishings and flat panel televisions complete the new room style. Guestroom baths include a spacious, doorless glass shower, millwork vanity and slate flooring.
The property's transformation includes the relocation of its lobby, registration area and Concierge Desk to the front of the Forest Oasis Waterscape, between all three of the Fairway Pines buildings. To enhance the arrival experience, the new lobby will include a Grand Living Room with a soaring ceiling, double-sided stone fireplace and warm, inviting furnishings. A light-filled solarium and adjoining Library will be ideal meeting places for personal conversation.
The property's existing lobby will be used as a satellite check-in area for conference attendees. Additionally, a four-level garage with 620 parking spaces will replace the existing Fairway Pines parking lot.
A new fine-dining steakhouse, complete with its own private wine vault, also will be added. Guests can dine indoors or enjoy the restaurant's outdoor patio overlooking the 18th green of Panther Trail, one of the Resort's two championship golf courses.
The transformation includes the addition of a lazy river, winding over 1,000 feet through the surrounding forest, to complement the resort's signature Forest Oasis Waterscape. A family favorite, the Waterscape offers underwater music and marine murals, double-helix waterslides, computer-activated pop fountains and soothing waterfalls. These new amenities will attract additional summer guests and align The Woodlands Resort with other high-end resorts in Austin and San Antonio, stated Kent Johnson, General Manager of The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center.
Plans also call for the renovation of The Woodlands Dining Room, The Glass Menagerie restaurant, and the property's 60,000 square feet of meeting space, certified by the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC).
In 2009, 10 nearby lodges, consisting of 222 guestrooms, and the property's original parking lot will be converted into high-density residential use. Residential land sales are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2010.
With the addition of the new Fairway Pines III and the transformation of the lodge rooms into a new residential project, The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center will consist of 380 guestrooms instead of 440 rooms. The Resort will continue to offer over 60,000 square feet of conference space and two championship golf courses.
Moreover, construction during the renovation will be concealed by attractive landscape barriers. "The utmost consideration will be taken for business to run as usual and not create interruption for hotel and conference guests," said Johnson.

Firms being used for the project include:

Design Architect - Morris Architects of Houston
Restaurant Design - Acumen of Houston
Lazy River Water Consultant - Cloward H20 of Utah
Landscape Design - The Office of James Burnett of Houston
Interior Design - Vivian / Nichols Associates of Dallas

The Woodlands is a 28,000-acre master-planned community located 27 miles north of downtown Houston and is a project of The Woodlands Development Company - a limited partnership of Morgan Stanley and General Growth Properties, Inc.

About The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center
Nestled in 28,000 acres of forest preserves north of Houston, yet easily accessible from I-45, The Woodlands Resort is a destination of fun and relaxation. Just steps from 440 deluxe guest rooms (at present) are two championship golf courses and the property's signature Forest Oasis Waterscape with waterfalls, synchronized water spouts, waterslides, and a S'mores pit. Guests enjoy seasonal poolside dining, dive-in movies and scheduled family-friendly entertainment. Other resort amenities include a full-service spa and fitness facility, 155 miles of nature and bike trails, and indoor and outdoor tennis courts. Explore the property's four restaurants or lounge, plus nearby shopping and entertainment. Visit www.woodlandsresort.com or call 866-361-5674.

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For more information, contact:
Susan Vreeland-Wendt (281) 719-6174
Lorrie Parise (281) 719-6344
svreeland@thewoodlands.com lparise@thewoodlands.com