Orlando's blockbuster hotel stories of 2024

Orlando's hospitality industry had a transformative year in 2024. Billion-dollar deals, unexpected losses and the anticipation of Universal Orlando's Epic Universe shaped the landscape.

Here are the top hospitality stories of the year. 

Hyatt Regency Orlando sells for $1.02B to joint venture 

The largest hotel transaction of 2024 happened in August when the Hyatt Regency Orlando sold for $1.02 billion to a joint venture between Ares Management and Rida Development. The sale price, equivalent to $622,000 per room, underscored institutional investors' confidence in Orlando’s hospitality market. The buyers secured a $620 million loan to facilitate the deal, with Hyatt retaining a financial stake in the property. Keep reading