Omni Hotels continues its
expansion in the luxury hotel and resort market announcing plans for
two new properties, adding to its existing North American portfolio.In the
last 60 days, Omni Hotels closed on a striking parcel of land in Pontoque,
Mexico, on the Pacific Ocean, which will become Omni’s third resort in
Mexico and also entered into a partnership with Songy Partners of Atlanta
to jointly purchase and transform a hotel in downtown Houston. Along with
these two new projects, Omni is also constructing the Omni Fort Worth Hotel
and condominiums expected to open in late 2008.
  “We are very eager to add these two new projects to our ongoing
development efforts,” said Mike Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels.
“These additions to our portfolio extend our luxury hotel brand and
certainly exemplify our commitment to delivering memorable guest
experiences in premiere resort and business destinations.”
  The master planned resort community to be constructed in Pontoque is
situated among 90 lush acres along Banderas Bay—Mexico’s largest natural
bay—and is fronted by pristine beaches. Just miles north of Puerto
Vallarta, the area is often referred to as the Mexican Riviera. The
development will include a luxury Omni resort with exceptional golf, spa
and culinary elements along with a boutique hotel, luxury condos, villas
and single-family residential areas. Ground is expected to be broken in
2008 with the first phase opening in 2010.
  Omni Hotels and Songy Partners of Atlanta are planning a comprehensive
redevelopment of a former Sheraton to transform the tower into an
all-suites luxury hotel in the heart of downtown Houston near numerous high
rise office buildings and just a few short blocks from the convention
center. The property is also just steps away from the new Houston Pavilions
project—rapidly becoming known as downtown Houston’s premiere
entertainment, retail and urban office hub, anchored by the House of Blues
and Lucky Strike Lanes. The transformed property will feature 400-plus
suites, approximately 30,000 square feet of meeting space and multiple
culinary venues. Also serving today’s business and leisure travelers will
be a complete wellness center located on the fourth floor which is also
accessible through a separate, private ground floor entrance for
neighboring Houstonians and nearby office workers. The 13,000 square foot
wellness center will offer a state-of-the art fitness facility with a
Mokara Salon & Spa, personal trainers and nutritionists on staff to assist
with creating customized wellness and fitness regimens. Redevelopment is
expected to begin later this year, and the property will open for guests in
2009. This will be Omni’s third property in Houston along with the renowned
Omni Houston Hotel in the Uptown/Galleria area, which recently broke ground
on a new ballroom and spa addition, and the Omni Houston Hotel at Westside.
  The three development projects join Omni’s portfolio of luxury hotels
and resorts, well recognized for high standards, and extends a continuous
period of aggressive growth for Omni Hotels. The latest period of expansion
began in 2002 with the opening of its Omni San Francisco Hotel. Since then,
the company has opened a 600-room tower and meeting space as part of
Atlanta’s Omni Hotel at CNN Center (2003), the Omni San Diego Hotel (2004)
and the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate (2004). In March 2006, Omni
acquired the La Mansion del Rio and the Watermark Hotel & Spa in San
Antonio. The company also extended its international reach in March by
joining the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), a network of luxury brands with
hotels and resorts in more than 150 destinations in 39 countries.
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