Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/875351
T he AAA Four-Diamond Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate has joined Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI). Located just minutes from Central Florida's famous attractions and world-class international airport, the 769-room resort is now served by the ALHI Global Sales Organization to the North American Meetings & Incentives (M&I) marketplace, according to ALHI CEO David Gabri. Surrounded by 36 holes of Greg Norman-designed championship golf, Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate also features 15 acres of pools and recreation (which includes a lazy river), the signature 10,000-sq. ft. Mokara Spa, the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, a full-service fitness center, a 9-hole golf course, a comprehensive sports training complex, ten- nis, and seven restaurants and lounges. The resort's 128,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and banquet space is highlighted by three ballrooms: the 28,800-sq. ft. Osceola, the 25,000-sq. ft. National, and the 20,000-sq. ft. International. The resort features a total of 48 meeting rooms, as well as 70,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space, a 24- hour self-automated business center, and complimentary wireless Internet in the guest rooms and lobby. Plus, in 2017 the resort is under- going a $40 million expansion, which will include 93 new guest rooms, new meeting and event space, another restaurant, and a resort wave pool. The resort is located just 25 minutes from Orlando International Airport and six miles from the Walt Disney World® Resort. "Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate is a remarkable resort, with a truly lush setting and so much to offer to groups," said Gabri. "Add in its convenient access to the Walt Disney World® Resort, and its impressive new offerings, and we are very proud to showcase this extraor- dinary resort to groups across North America." Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate becomes ALHI's 24th luxury hotel/resort in Florida, joining such other Central Florida mem- bers as: the tropical, 1,000-room Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando®, offering 132,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; the all-new and con- nected to Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Caribbean-themed Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando®, featuring 1,000 guest rooms and 114,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, for the combination of 2,000 rooms and 246,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; plus, the elegant 750-room Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando®, reminiscent of a beautiful Mediterranean seaside resort. ALHI's distinguished Central Florida portfolio also features: the stunning and popular Rosen Shingle Creek, with 1,501 guest rooms and 490,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and event space, and exceptional onsite golf among the 230-acre resort; Orlando's luxurious 146-room The Villas of Grand Cypress, with their world-renowned golf and boasting a newly renovated executive meeting center; St. Pete Beach's renowned "Pink Palace," the beachfront 277-room Loews Don CeSar Hotel; the picturesque, sophisticated, award-winning and inspiring Streamsong Resort , offering 228 guest rooms and two outstanding golf courses ranked in America's top 15; and Tampa's popular 800-room Saddlebrook Resort, a self-contained destination with on-site golf, tennis, spa, fishing, and 95,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. In addition to joining ALHI's distinguished portfolio of AAA Four- and Five-Diamond-quality M&I-focused hotels and resorts, Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate also becomes the newest option in ALHI's "Big Box" luxury brand segment. With this latest addition, ALHI's "Big Box" collection now features 26 exceptional supersized hotels and resorts, which each feature a minimum of 500 guest rooms and/or suites, at least 50,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and one or more ballrooms of 20,000 sq. ft. or more. OMNI ORLANDO RESORT AT CHAMPIONSGATE JOINS ASSOCIATED LUXURY HOTELS INTERNATIONAL (ALHI) B M & T ••• January/February 2017 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 9