Here’s What’s New and Unique at Omni Hotels this Year

Omni Hotels made the rounds in New York earlier this month to talk about what’s new at several of its properties — and showed off what a diverse portfolio the brand offers.

The Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort in Florida, for example, is popular for destination weddings, with a beautiful sunset vista on the marsh side of the island. For 2019, the old wing is being renovated and refreshed; the spa will be upgraded, along with the outdoor courtyard and garden; and the pool will be getting new, double lounge chairs with canopies that can be reserved for the day. There is also a new heated, quartz sand table in the spa that has been getting rave reviews.

Wedding guests, in particular, are intrigued by the plantation’s chicken coop; “they want to have a story to tell about the vegetables at dinner that came from the greenhouse or the eggs that came from the chicken coop,” said Marketing Director Michelle Valle. Corporate groups also have the run of the plantation, so they can stage road rallies for 200 people or scavenger hunts in golf carts. And, incentive groups appreciate having everything they need on property, from activities to food.

From Amelia Island to Orlando
The appeal of Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate in Orlando, meanwhile, is that while it is accessible to Disney attractions, it is removed from the Mickey Mouse hustle-and-bustle.

The hotel offers free transportation to the parks and sells Disney tickets in the lobby, but the emphasis here is more adult in nature. A $2 million investment in the golf course — along with the fact that the David Leadbetter Golf Academy is here — pushed last year’s golf revenues to a record high.

A new building added 96 new 1- to 4-bedroom suites — a big draw for multigenerational families. In addition, a new ballroom designed specifically for destination weddings debuted, with attached dressing rooms for the bride and groom, and a new outdoor terrace adding a great lawn and a patio with a firepit outside the ballroom.

With three large ballrooms, the hotel is seeing a surge in big Indian weddings, said Sales and Marketing Director Jim Curtis; and the brand has hired a new executive chef who comes from India “to elevate our Indian cuisine.”

“We are definitely ahead of pace for 2019 in corporate meetings and conventions, and our tech and pharma business is up significantly,” Curtis said. “It helps that we are away from the park and the congestion — and yet, big enough for you to have your own fireworks show right here.”

On the food side, all Omni Hotels in February began offering “Omni Minis,” bite-size flavor-packed appetizers, in response to the growing demand for light bites and smaller dishes.

Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, meanwhile, the 200-year-old Omni Bedford Springs offers a totally different kind of experience. Its 2,200 acres offer miles of hiking trails, a spa, lush landscapes, and a beautiful old golf course.

The groups there tend to favor Jazz Age parties with croquet and archery; while leisure travelers are more often looking for a retreat in the woods.

In 2018, the property added a restaurant on the golf course, and a series of six-course chef’s dinners with wine pairings designed to expand its relationship with the neighboring farms and dairies.

Engaged couples can visit to sample the food before their weddings, while hotel guests can try the “beautifully curated wine list, including both classic traditional and also lesser-known varietals,” said Marketing Director Sarah Schriber.