Plans for ‘seven-star’ hotel in Orlando
An Orlando developer wants to build a high-end 1,253-room hotel in International Drive, described as a "seven-star luxury hotel".
It says the hotel would transform the skyline of Orlando’s famous strip if planning permission is granted.
Plans for the iSquare Mall & Hotel have been filed with the city of Orlando, featuring two hotel towers and a 31st floor rooftop observation deck and restaurant.
The $400 million project would also include a shopping complex, an ice-skating rink, food court and restaurants.
Developer Blackmine Group said on its website, the hotel would have "a swanky, irresistible vibe that makes each guest feel like a celebrity or billionaire".
According to plans filed, two wing-shaped hotel towers would be 360 feet high, providing views of downtown Orlando, Universal Orlando and the International Drive tourist corridor.
Head of Blackmine Group Abdul Mathin says funding is already in place for the project.
The proposed site currently houses the International Shoppes strip mall which is owned by Blackmine Group, and would be demolished to make way for the new development.
The plans will be reviewed by the city’s municipal planning board next month.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025