Last week, the Grand Hyatt celebrated its 20th birthday. On Monday night, another American hospitality property marked its milestone too. But the JW Marriott Hotel wasn't looking back over its two decades - like the Hyatt, the JW opened in 1989 - 500 business associates were invited to look ahead at their 'Transformation'. Although not obvious, much of the property has been given a makeover.

'In 2007, we started a major renovation project,' general manager Michael Nisky said. 'We have just completed the full redesign of our 602 guest rooms, the executive lounge, the Man Ho restaurant, the ballroom and the addition of the very sophisticated Reidel Room. Plus, as part of the beautiful Pacific Place complex, the sunken garden and the entire arrival experience has been transformed.'

The night started with cocktails and a lion dance at the new landscaped sunken garden. Then the party moved inside to the refreshed ballroom, where various buffet stations fed an onslaught of ravenous guests. Slightly surreal performers with stilts on their arms and legs crept out to the stage and then through the crowd, resembling circus versions of the overgrown Starship Troopers insects. 'They're like giant spiders,' kidded one unsuspecting patron spooked by the performers. Maybe they should have stuck with the butterflies they had on their invitations.