WASHINGTON, DC—Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) will expand its portfolio in Florida with the addition of the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando, opening in the summer of 2016, and the newly independently branded Naples Grande Beach Resort, which is slated to complete an $18-million renovation and redesign in January 2015. The ALHI Global Sales Organization (GSO) now represents the two resorts. The announcement was made by ALHI CEO David Gabri and ALHI President Jim Schultenover.
The Caribbean-themed Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando will feature 131,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and 1,000 guestrooms and suites. The resort’s meeting space will include ballrooms of 41,000 and 32,000 sq. ft., and 43,000 sq. ft. of pre-function space. The full-service resort will feature a resort-style pool with a water slide and sand beach; a fitness center; a full-service restaurant; a themed lobby lounge; a quick-service marketplace; a full-service business center; and complimentary WiFi in guest rooms. In addition, guests of the resort will receive Early Park Admission to Universal Orlando Resort’s two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure), and will have water taxi and shuttle access to the two theme parks and the Universal CityWalk entertainment complex. The resort will be 15 miles from Orlando International Airport.
Designed and located adjacent to sister property Loews Royal Pacific Resort, the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort will be connected to Loews Royal Pacific Resort’s meeting space via an air-conditioned covered bridge. Together, the combined resorts will offer 2,000 guestrooms and will have 272,000 sq. ft. of combined meeting space, with the recently announced expansion of Loews Royal Pacific Resort’s meeting space from 85,000 sq. ft. to more than 140,000 sq. ft., now in development.
Naples Grande Beach Resort, formerly known as the Waldorf Astoria Naples, is undergoing an $18-million enhancement, which includes the renovation and redesign of all 474 guestrooms and suites, three restaurants, beach area and common spaces. The Southwest Florida resort features more than 83,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, including the 14,442-sq.-ft. Royal Palm Ballroom. The hotel also offers six restaurants and lounges; three heated outdoor pools; a full-service luxury spa; an 8,000-sq.-ft. fitness center; a business center; and a tennis facility with 15 courts. According to the company, the hotel is surrounded by 200 acres of a protected mangrove estuary intertwined with bridges and elevated walking paths that provide guests access to three miles of beachfront on the Gulf of Mexico, and is within walking distance of the Waterside Shops shopping mall. Guests also have access to the 18-hole, par-72 The Naples Grande Golf Course, a private course located minutes from the hotel. The resort is owned and operated by Northwood Hospitality. The Naples Grande Beach Resort is just 30 minutes from Southwest Florida International Airport.