Looking to reposition itself as a contemporary place for meetings and events, the Hilton New York invested $1 million in a soft goods refurbishment of its Trianon and Mercury ballrooms and relaunched both in mid-December. Redesigned by Champalimaud Design, the Manhattan-based firm that recently completed the renovation of the Pierre, the venues now sport new wall coverings, carpeting, fixtures, and furnishings.

Although smaller than the property's 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom—the largest hotel ballroom in the city—Trianon and Mercury are substantial in size and suitable for gala dinners, performances, and other business gatherings. The Trianon complex is broken into three sections and includes the 1,920-square-foot Petit Trianon, the 2,584-square-foot Rendezvous Trianon, and the 5,280-square-foot main ballroom. Updated with pale blue walls and white plaster relief details, the venue is styled after the Trianon Palace in Versailles, France.

Also on the third floor, the Mercury Ballroom and its adjoining rotunda measure 5,800 square feet and have a combined capacity of 470 for receptions. The design in the main space is masculine, with a color palette of maroon, silver, and gold, while the rotunda has an installation of lighting and artwork from California-based company MoodSpace.