The Woodlands Resort
The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center is a resort in The Woodlands, Texas. The resort is operated by the Woodlands Development Company and was founded in 1974 by George P. Mitchell, an American businessman and real estate developer.
History
The property was named the Woodlands Inn when it was established as a 218 room hotel in 1974. Guest rooms offered full kitchens at that time, and the south wing of the property had boutique shopping, an ice rink and the only restaurant in the area. During the 1980s, the property was transformed into a meetings destination and became known as the Woodlands Inn & Country Club. In 1981, the hotel was one of the founding members of the International Association of Conference Centers.From 1989 through 2002, the property invested in larger meeting space, additional guest rooms and spacious public areas. The property’s first of many landmark expansions occurred in 1996 when the resort opened the Shell Learning Center, designed specifically for Shell Oil Company. The Center added of functional meeting space and invested $27.5 million to build the Forest Oasis Waterscape, a collection of water slides, swimming pools, fountains and other features.
The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center is receiving a $50 million renovation and expansion project which will add 158 new guestrooms, the addition of a winding river as well as a new entrance and a steakhouse. This project was expected to be completed in early 2009.