The Omni Jacksonville Hotel hosted about 200 friends and former hotel associates Thursday evening at a reception to celebrate the hotel's 25 years Downtown.
The first guests checked in Oct. 8, 1987, to be the first to stay at Downtown's only hotel rated "Four Diamond" by AAA for its hospitality, service and attention to detail.
The Omni remains Downtown's only lodging with the rating, said General Manager Barry Sondern.
The reception was held in the Florida Ballroom, which along with the Omni's meeting rooms was remodeled this year with a more than $1 million investment, said Sondern.
Next year, the lobby and restaurant are scheduled to be remodeled and in 2104 the hotel's 354 guest rooms will receive a makeover.
"We are very committed to the next 25 years," Sondern said.
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