Omni Hotels announced today that the hotel chain has assumed management of the former Hotel Inter-Continental Los Angeles, a 439-room luxury hotel located in downtown Los Angeles at California Plaza, and will operate the property as the Omni Los Angeles Hotel beginning immediately. Omni Hotels was awarded a long-term management contract for the property from the hotel’s owner, RMMK-II, L.L.C.

According to Jim Caldwell, president of Omni Hotels in Irving, Texas, the new Omni Los Angeles Hotel supports the hotel chain’s strategy of expanding its presence in California and other western states, which includes plans to open the Omni San Francisco Hotel in downtown San Francisco in 2002.

“Our new Omni Los Angeles Hotel is a flagship luxury hotel in an important gateway market in the West,” Caldwell said. “Our goal is for this hotel to become the premier luxury property in downtown Los Angeles. Based on Omni Hotels’ management expertise, as well as the commitment and resources of the hotel’s owner, we will ensure that the Omni Los Angeles Hotel will be operated at full four-star,four-diamond status.”

The new Omni Los Angeles Hotel is located at 251 S. Olive Street in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, atop Bunker Hill. The 17-story hotel is the cornerstone of the integrated California Plaza mixed-use development project, directly adjacent to the Museum of Contemporary Art and a short distance from the Los Angeles Civic Center, City Hall, the Pacific Stock Exchange and the Los Angeles Music Center. With 439 rooms and suites, the hotel features a full-service restaurant, a health club, outdoor heated swimming pool, executive business center, and 20,000 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom that seats up to 900 guests.

Beginning immediately, all signature programs and services offered by Omni Hotels will be available to guests at the new Omni Los Angeles Hotel. For example, this summer guests can take advantage of the “Phenomenal Fridays” summer weekend promotion, which offers attractive weekend rates and additional savings with a Friday night stay.

Michael Knapp, formerly a general manager with Omni Hotels in Houston, has been named general manager of the new Omni Los Angeles Hotel. Knapp, a veteran hotel manager who has a long association with the Omni Hotels chain, also has served as general manager of the historic Omni Parker House hotel in Boston.

From mountain serenity to cosmopolitan cities to white sandy beaches, Omni Hotels offer luxury accommodations at more than 40 hotels and resorts located throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Surround yourself with exceptional four-diamond hospitality, exquisite decor and the exciting setting of each Omni hotel at your premier destination - all with a signature of distinction. At your leisure, indulge in services ranging from wine tastings, gourmet dining, and contemporary fitness facilities to golf, tours of local attractions and children’s activities.

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