Hotel Update

Numerous Orlando hotels have been designated Florida Green Lodge hotels by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. To be designated a Florida Green Lodge, hotels must follow certain green practices.

These practices include, but are not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures, a linen reuse program and energy efficiency and programmable thermostats. The waste reduction criteria are met by providing the opportunity to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing recycled materials and by recycling ink and toner cartridges. All Green Lodges must also use green cleaners and high efficiency air filters and clean air handler units frequently.

Properties receiving the designation include: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Spring Resort & Spa, DoubleTree Guest Suites in the Walt Disney World Resort, Embassy Suites Orlando International Airport, Embassy Suites Orlando International Drive/Convention Center, Embassy Suites Orlando North, The Florida Hotel and Conference Center, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, Hawthorn Suites Orlando International Airport, Hilton Walt Disney World, Holiday Inn Orlando International Drive Resort, Renaissance Orlando Hotel Airport, Rosen Centre Hotel, Rosen Plaza Hotel, Rosen Shingle Creek, Royal Plaza in the Walt Disney World Resort and Walt Disney World Fort Wilderness. Visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging; or call 850-245-2118

Amalfi, a 242-room, 16-story hotel, is planned to be built on the old Mercado retail complex property on International Drive. It will be part of a 340,000-square-foot (31,587-square-meter), mixed-use center, called The Square, which will include restaurants, retail and entertainment. Amalfi will begin construction in 2008 and is slated for completion in 2010. unicorpdevelopment.com; 407-999-9985

The Grosvenor Resort became Regal Sun Resort in late 2007. The new name corresponds with the completion of a $25 million renovation to the resort’s 626 guest rooms; 19,000 square feet (1,765 square meters) of meeting space and pre-function space; lobby; restaurants and lounges; and pool area. Regal Sun Resort also debuted a larger restaurant, which will offer lake views and house the MurderWatch Mystery Theatre dinners each Saturday night. The resort is located in the Walt Disney World Resort complex near Downtown Disney. Visit
www.regalsunresort.com; 407-828-4444

Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando – SouthPark opened. The hotel features 61 guest rooms and 22 studio suites, which include microwaves, refrigerators and 32-inch (82-centimeter) flat-screen televisions with high definition programming. The resort is located on John Young Parkway, two miles from the Orange County Convention Center. Visit www.hamptoninn.com; 407-226-3999

Hyatt Place Orlando Convention Center opened in December. Hyatt Place, a new hotel that complements Hyatt’s full service brands, combines contemporary design with innovative services and amenities to create an atmosphere of casual hospitality. The property is the second Hyatt Place hotel to open in Orlando. Amenities include free Wi-Fi access; an eight-foot (2.4-meter) sleeper sofa; 42-inch (104-centimeter) flat panel, high-definition television; continental breakfast, made-to-order menu available 24 hours a day and a StayFit@Hyatt gym. Visit www.hyattplace.com; 888-492-884

The Hyatt Place Orlando/Lake Mary hotel broke ground. The 128-room hotel, which will be located at Interstate 4 and Lake Mary Blvd., is expected to open in May 2008. Visit www.hyattplace.com; 888-492-8847

Icon Celebration, a two-phase condo-hotel project, will begin construction in mid-2008. The property will have 441 luxury one- and two-bedroom units and open in late 2010. Amenities will include two restaurants, lobby bar, courtyard resort-style pool, 14,000 square feet (1,301 square meters) of meeting space, 6,000-square-foot (557-square-meter) spa and a children’s program. Visit www.iconcelebration.com; 321-939-1540

Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa, a new condo-hotel located in Lake Buena Vista, has opened 478 two-, three- and four-bedroom units. Six additional buildings are planned, along with a spa, grand reception area and zero-entry pool area with a pirate ship and tiki bar. When complete, the property will have 1,875 condo-hotel units as well as 270,000 square feet (25,084 square meters) of dining, spa and designer outlet shopping space. The resort also opened Central Florida’s first Pizza Hut Café Express. The poolside restaurant encompasses 3,000 square feet (279 square meters) of indoor and outdoor seating and provides a menu of pan and personal pizzas, sandwiches, salads and breakfast options. Visit www.LBVresortvillage.com; 407-597-0214

Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando completed a $8.5 million guest room renovation. The upgraded rooms feature new tropical duvets; bamboo ceiling border accents; and technology upgrades, including iHome clock radios with iPod docking stations, 32-inch (81-centimeter) flat-panel televisions and wireless Internet. The hotel also added eight Jurassic Park themed kids’ suites, which include Jurassic Park wall murals, artwork from the making of the movies and Jurassic Park themed beds and furniture. 

The Palisades Resort, a new condo-hotel located on 400 acres (162 hectares) of the Lake Austin Reserve, opened. The resort features 99 two- and three-bedroom, apartment-style units, complete with living rooms, private balconies and views of the reserve.palisadesresortatlakeaustin.com; 407-992-0430

Ravallo Resort & Conference Center, a $520 million luxury condo-hotel, will begin construction in March 2008. The 900-unit hotel will be located in Lake Buena Vista near State Road 535. Amenities will include a roof-top pool, restaurants, retail, spa, fitness center and 140,000 square feet (13,006 square meters) of meeting space. The first phase should open in 2010. ravalloresort.com; 407-294-6400

The Renaissance Orlando Hotel-Airport completed a multi-million dollar renovation. The property now features one-of-a-kind commissioned artwork and sculptures; marble floors; and ultra modern décor. Each of the 297 guest rooms have been technologically upgraded, becoming the first in Orlando to feature Marriott’s “Plug-In Room” with the resourceful “Plug-In Panel,” allowing simultaneous connectivity to devices such as laptops, iPods, game systems and DVD players.

With this configuration, travelers can work on their laptop, check the weather or watch their favorite DVD at the same time on a split screen. As part of its meeting facility upgrades, the property has also improved its entire 20,000 square feet (1,858 square meters) of flexible meeting space.
renaissanceorlandoap.com; 407-240-1000

The Rialto, a new mixed-use property, has been announced. The complex will be comprised of a 200-room condominium project, Intermezzo at the Rialto, and shopping and dining options including: J. Alexander’s; Bento Sushi and Bar Louie restaurants; MILLY V; Sadler’s; Cork & Olive; Maggie Moo Ice Cream; Personal Expressions Stationary; Perry Optics and GLOW Lighting.
wilderco.com/rialto; 617-247-9200

Royale Parc Suites – a Quality Suites® Hotel (formerly Quality Suites Maingate East), opened after a multi-million dollar renovation, including a name change. The property incorporated “New Orleans French Quarter” decor for all 224 guest suites and surroundings. All suites were upgraded to include new bedding, drapes, designer lighting, French-inspired marble bath tubs, granite countertops, kitchenettes and flat-screen LCD televisions in the living room and bedrooms.

Upgraded amenities for the hotel include a new business center, fitness center, brick-paved sidewalks and poolside lounge chairs and decking. The property is located 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from the entrance to Walt Disney World® Resort.
royaleparcsuitesorlando.com; 407-396-8040

Starwood Hotels & Resorts will open an ELEMENT hotel in Orlando. Inspired by Westin Hotels, ELEMENT Orlando Convention Center/International Drive will offer an extended stay experience that weaves together intuitive design, unique social venues and eco-friendly touches. The hotel’s 137 rooms can be customized by guests and will feature a complete kitchen, Westin Heavenly Bed and oversized spa-inspired shower. Hotel amenities will include an integrated technology center and library. Projected opening date is August 2009.
starwoodhotels.com; 800-937-8461

The Westin Imagine Orlando, a new hotel located near the Orange County Convention Center, will open in April 2008. The hotel will have 315 rooms, which will all have The Westin Heavenly Bed, Heavenly Bath and high-speed Internet access. Additional amenities include the Westin WORKOUT Powered by Reebok fitness center, a lagoon-style pool and an upscale, contemporary Italian restaurant.