Omni Hotels & Resorts to Purchase Distinguished Amelia Island Plantation

Luxury Hotel Brand Continues Strategic Growth with Acclaimed Resort

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Aug 24, 2010, 12:54 ET

IRVING, Texas, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Omni Hotels & Resorts announced that the luxury hotel brand was the highest bidder for the renowned Amelia Island Plantation, located 29 miles north of Jacksonville, Fla. The brand bid $67.1 million for the resort at an auction held on Aug. 23, which is contingent on the Amelia Island Company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan obtaining approval at another court hearing on Aug. 26. Omni Hotels & Resorts expects to take over full ownership and operation of the luxury resort sometime this fall. The brand plans to expand the resort development with approximately 125 additional guest rooms and suites as well as a new 16,000 square foot ballroom to accommodate additional meetings and events.

"We are exceptionally pleased to add this extraordinary resort to the Omni portfolio given its great beauty, gracious accommodations and broad range of amenities," said Mike Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts. "We believe that the property extends our luxury resort collection and exemplifies our commitment to deliver memorable experiences to our guests."

The resort acquisition is part of Omni's ongoing strategic expansion across North America. The brand expanded in the last few years with the addition of the Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Pa. (January 2009) and the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, N.H. (September 2010).

The luxury destination island resort – situated on 1,350 acres at the northern tip of Florida – is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, green marshlands and the Intracoastal Waterway. Known to be in perfect harmony with nature, the resort is ideal for a family beach vacation, a romantic getaway, a spa or golf vacation or meetings and events. Beyond the three and a half miles of wide, uncrowded beaches, the resort also exemplifies environmental sensitivity and sustainability and is designated as a sanctuary by Audubon International as well as a certified Green Lodging Destination.

Accommodations include the Amelia Inn, with 249 ocean view guest rooms and the Villas of Amelia offering one, two and three bedroom villas with ocean, golf or resort views. The resort also offers a beautiful setting for meetings and events with nearly 50,000 square feet of space for conferences, retreats or weddings. The Conference Center includes two ballrooms as well as 15 breakout rooms, pre-function areas and outdoor venues. The resort features 54 holes of award-winning golf; a tennis center with 23 courts; a signature spa; numerous pools; a shopping village; a state-of-the-art fitness center; nine culinary venues ranging from casual to upscale; and recreation options from fishing, sailing and horseback riding to over seven miles of trails for hiking, segway tours, bike rentals and island hoppers.

About Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences that take guests on "A Total Departure" to 45 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America. From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique wellness options. Known for its award-winning, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company's "Power of One" associate empowerment program. The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations such as J.D. Power and Associates, which ranked Omni as "Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Chains" in its 2010 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study(SM).

To get additional information or book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.

SOURCE Omni Hotels & Resorts