by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Many events can be celebrated at the Omni Downtown. It might be a birthday, wedding or anniversary. It might be a promotion or accomplishment.
Usually, the staff works to fulfill the desires of a client or guest, but Thursday afternoon, the Omni was the client as Downtown’s only five-diamond hotel celebrated the recent renovation of the second-floor ballrooms and the meeting spaces on the first and second floors.
The floor-to-ceiling redecorating is the most extensive at the hotel since shortly before Jacksonville hosted Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005.
“We devoted $1 million to renovating 15,000 square feet of space,” said Omni General Manager Barry Sondern.
He said the usual cycle for major renovations at Omni Hotels is about six years and the company chose to do the work this summer because it’s traditionally a slower time of the year in the hotel business.
It’s not just a new look in Jacksonville.
“Twenty-six of the 45 Omni Hotels are being renovated this summer,” said Sondern.
The changes aren’t completed at the Omni. Over the next few weeks, 42-inch flat-screen high-definition TVs will be installed in the guest rooms.
Next year, the lobby, restaurant and lounge are scheduled for redecoration, followed by a makeover of the hotel’s 354 guest rooms.
“We’re a boutique hotel,” said Irene Peterson, director of sales and marketing.
“We’re known for personal service and attention to detail. Staying contemporary is very important to us and Omni is committed to investing in Downtown,” she said.
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