27-06-2025
Omni Hotels President: Why We Still Own Hotels in an Asset-Light Era
CEOs at big hotel brands like to brag about how little they own. Omni is betting that ownership still gives it an edge in design, service, and loyalty.
While major hotel brands have pulled back from large-scale convention hotels in favor of asset-light growth, Omni Hotels & Resorts is doing the opposite. It's still building them and, in most cases, owning them.
The Dallas-based company plans to spend $1.5 billion on development and renovations over the next five years. But President Kurt Alexander framed that figure as part of a longer-term approach.
"We've averaged between $200 and $300 million a year over the last 10 years," Alexander told Skift, referring to renovations and new builds. "It speaks to our commitment to elevating our brand at every single touch point, both in terms of the existing properties, as well as adding new properties."
Omni remains one of the last large hotel companies committed to a vertically integrated model. It owns most of its roughly 50 properties and handles operations in-house. The company also employs more than 35 professionals on its internal design and construction team, focused on guest-facing details from room layouts to restaurant seating.
"We are the owner-operator brand, which is really the last player in that regard," Alexander said.
