22 December 2009

Optimistic Orlando hotelier looking at new sites

Not many hoteliers are buying new sites but count on indefatigable Harris Rosen to remain optimistic: The Orlando hotelier has purchased a 25-acre parcel of land to build a 300 to 500-unit luxury villa.

"This addition to the Rosen family will expand his newest convention hotel, Rosen Shingle Creek, to close to 2,000 guest rooms and will bring the combined number of Rosen convention hotel guest rooms (at Rosen Plaza, Rosen Centre and Rosen Shingle Creek) to approximately 4,000," says a press release.

The new property will feature a pool, restaurant, private check-in and registration desk, a private club house and private meeting space.

Guests of the new property will have full access to all of Shingle Creek's amenities, including the Shingle Creek Golf Club, The Spa at Shingle Creek, fitness center, twelve lounging/dining options and more. All villa rooms will have golf course views.

Rosen said that he will immediately begin working with an architect on design plans.

"We have confidence in the rebound of the economy and even more confidence in the future of the Orlando meetings industry, so we have no serious qualms about building while others may be riding out the storm," said Rosen. He added:

"To stay competitive in this business, you must have your eye on the future."

He said he viewed the new property as just one part of Rosen's stimulus package for the economy.

Rosen Hotels & Resorts is in the midst of refurbishing approximately 2,700 guest rooms at Rosen's four leisure properties at an estimated $50-70 million cost.

Additional meeting spaces are among changes.

Together, the three Rosen convention hotels offer the most rooms, most meeting space and closest proximity to the Orange County Convention Center of any Orlando convention hotels.

"Combined with the new addition, they will continue to lead the local convention market offering more than 4,000 rooms and a total of 650,000 square feet of flexible meeting space," according to a press release.

By David Wilkening