A quick google search of "laminar flow fountains" gets to a page with
the following description:

"Dave Ayer, Mark Fuller, and Lee Sim, seniors in the Department of
Civil Engineering at the University of Utah in 1976, designed a
fountain nozzle that produced a coherent and laminar stream of water.
The water jet thus produced looks like a glass rod flying through the
air. Similar fountains have been installed in several theme parks,
including Epcot Center."

That "glass rod" look is a great way to describe what I saw at the
Embassy Suites Hotel.
Thanks for the leads, everyone. Very helpful.