Today there was a ground breaking ceremony to celebrate the historic redevelopment of Hyatt Regency New Orleans, which will open in late 2011. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu served as keynote speaker, telling everyone gathered at the event that Hyatt Regency New Orleans represents where the city has been, but more importantly, it exemplifies the great strides being made to help redevelop the New Orleans that everyone loves and admires.

The hotel opened in 1976 and had 30 years of success prior to Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Crescent City five years ago. In planning to reopen the hotel, the goal is to give it a second life – redeveloping and remodeling it from the top down to to meet the needs of today's business and leisure travelers. The new and improved Hyatt Regency New Orleans will reopen, complete with the following:

• 1,193 contemporary guestrooms, including 53 suites
• 200,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space
  
• Two 25,000 square-foot ballrooms
  
• 80,000 square feet of exhibition space
  
• 60 banquet and meeting rooms
  
• 350-seat restaurant
  
• Coffee bar and 24-hour convenience store
  
• Specialty restaurant with a nationally recognized chef

The hotel will play a significant role in the restoration and revitalization of New Orleans. It is part of a larger economic development plan and will anchor city-wide conventions. The hotel is expected to generate tax revenue and create new jobs in the city.

We want to thank New Orleans for welcoming us back to their great city, which just made this year's Travel + Leisure Magazine's Top 10 Cities list. From the jazz music and Creole cuisine, to the unique French Quarter architecture and Mardi Gras celebrations, we're excited to be back in New Orleans to help show travelers what The Big Easy is all about.