Last Resorts of Court
One date that’s on almost every federal judge’s calendar this summer is the meeting of his or her circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals, at which trial and appellate judges review the work of the court and socialize at some of the nicest resorts and hotels in the nation. So as not to provide a roadmap for disgruntled litigants, we’re taking a look back at where the circuit courts summered in 2006.
1st Circuit, based in Boston
The court sat out for 2006.
2nd Circuit, based in New York City
Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, N.Y.
This family-owned Hudson Valley resort was built 130 years ago in the style of a Victorian castle.
3rd Circuit, based in Philadelphia
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Farmington, Pa.
This year-round resort seems to be a popular retreat for judges—there’s no confirmation as to whether the 3rd Circuit jurists gave their D.C.-based colleagues any room recommendations.
4th Circuit, based in Richmond, Va.
The court stayed home
5th Circuit, based in New Orleans
The circuit was set to meet in early May at the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa in Point Clear, Ala., but had to cancel because the resort’s conference center renovation was not yet complete after a direct hit from Hurricane Katrina’s storm surge back in August 2005.
6th Circuit, based in Cincinnati
Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
This Marriott, which overlooks both downtown Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, is conveniently located in the same building that houses General Motors Corp.’s world headquarters.
7th Circuit, based in Chicago
InterContinental Chicago
This historic Chicago landmark was originally built as the Medinah Athletic Club in 1929. It features an Art Deco exterior and an indoor, Roman-style swimming pool.
8th Circuit, based in St. Louis
Cragun’s Resort and Hotel on Gull Lake, Brainerd, Minn.
This year-round resort and spa boasts three golf courses, including one that is reversible.
9th Circuit, based in San Francisco
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, Huntington Beach, Calif.
This beachfront resort is close to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and the Queen Mary.
10th Circuit, based in Denver
The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Before entrepreneur Spencer Penrose bought the Broadmoor in 1916 to transform it into a world-class resort, the property had been used as a casino, a boarding house and a day school for girls.
11th Circuit, based in Atlanta
The circuit took a pass on conferencing for the year.
District of Columbia Circuit
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Farmington, Pa.
This 2,800-acre resort in the Laurel Highlands area of western Pennsylvania has its own private airstrip.
Federal Circuit
Grand Hyatt, Washington, D.C.
Each of the hotel’s 888 rooms is outfitted with a Herman Miller desk chair and toiletries from luxury lifestyle brand Portico Home & Spa.
