Embassy Suites Hotels and Sierra Land Group, Inc. introduced the new upscale, all-suites Embassy Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista South to local officials and community members at a festive grand opening event. Located at 4955 Kyngs Heath Road and the corner of State Road 535 in Kissimmee, Fla., the 300-suite, 11-story hotel was constructed by Hardin Construction and designed by Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock/Architects, Inc. (HHCP). Sierra Lodgings, Inc., a subsidiary of Sierra Land Group, Inc., will operate the property, which bodes 40,000 square feet of meeting, pre-function and event space. This hotel’s opening marks Embassy Suites’ twentieth hotel in the sunshine state.

Rich Maladecki, president & CEO of Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association, served as master of ceremonies for the gala, which included an official ribbon cutting with ribbon dancer entertainers; culinary creations prepared by Chef Rick Pestana of the hotel’s in-house food and beverage team with assistance from students of the Florida Technical College in Kissimmee; and a five-piece band that provided entertainment throughout the evening.

Embassy Suites’ recently appointed global head, John Rogers, was in attendance, in addition to key stakeholders from Sierra Land Group, Inc. including president and chief executive officer, Shirley Hough; owner and chairman of the board, Daniel Freeberg; owner, Lorraine Freeberg; chief financial officer, Jim Geary; and Sierra Lodgings, Inc. vice president, Eric Rosenbaum. Local community officials in attendance included: Shelley Maccini, executive director, Visit Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau; Bill Pinto, president, Hardin Construction; and Michael Harford, District One, Osceola County commissioner. Mitch Goldberg, vice president of operations of the local organization Give Kids the World, a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, was present to accept a donation from Sierra Land Group, Inc., made in honor of the hotel’s grand opening.

“We’re thrilled to expand our presence in central Florida with the opening of Embassy Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista South,” said John Rogers, global head of Embassy Suites Hotels. “The hotel is already making a great impact in the community and we know that the success will only continue as the property opens its doors and begins delivering the consistent, excellent customer service and value proposition for which the brand is known.”

Embassy Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista South features all of the signature amenities standard at any Embassy Suites hotel, including free, hot cooked-to-order breakfast each morning, a Complimentary Evening Reception* each evening, two-room suites with a separate living area, private bedroom and wet bar fitted with a microwave, mini-fridge and coffee maker.  Suites will also be equipped with two flat-screen high-definition televisions. The property will also offer complimentary fitness and business centers and 40,000 square feet of meeting, pre-function and event space, making it the largest Embassy Suites property in terms of meeting size in Florida.

“Sierra Land Group, Inc. is pleased to open our first Embassy Suites hotel and to bring a new upscale hotel offering to Osceola County,” stated Rosenbaum.  “We have a great team in place to deliver an exceptional experience to every guest who comes through our doors.”

“We’re excited to officially start welcoming business and leisure guests traveling to the area seeking an upscale hotel option,” said Dennis Hale, general manager, Embassy Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista South. “We’re in a prime location, conveniently located within ten minutes of several theme parks and twenty minutes from the Orlando International Airport.”

Other nearby attractions include the Kennedy Space Center, the Orlando Science Center and the Orlando Museum of Art. The hotel is also in close proximity to some of Florida’s finest golf courses, including Greg Norman’s Champions Gate, Arnold Palmer’s legendary Bay Hill, Steve Smyer’s Southern Dunes Golf Club and Rees Jones’ Falcon’s Fire.