Largest
property in Doubletree’s portfolio working to put
Central
Florida family first
On the
heels of a recent $35 million-dollar makeover and prestigious recognition as
Hilton Worldwide’s 2009 Developer of the Year, the Doubletree Resort Orlando -
International Drive has been selected as one of the Orlando Sentinel’s Top 100 Companies for Working Families.
The newly
rebranded Doubletree Resort Orlando (http://www.doubletreeorlandoidrive.com) added 100
hospitality jobs in 2009 following a complete renovation and expanded commitment to its more than 250 employees.
Among the enhanced employee benefits are free health club memberships,
discounted travel benefits for employees and extended family members,
educational reimbursement, family activity days, free meals, ongoing employee
recognition celebrations and employee assistance programs.
A group of Doubletree Resort Orlando
employees were on hand for the Orlando Sentinel’s luncheon, Fri., Aug. 6, to
receive the award on behalf of the resort. The Orlando Sentinel selects the Top 100 Central Florida Companies for
Working Families based on core benefits, family-related benefits, work
environment, communication and training. Companies can apply for consideration
through applications, which are judged by a panel of human resource experts and
scored on a point basis.
“We’re thrilled to
be identified as one of the Orlando
Sentinel’s Top 100 Companies for Working Families,” says Jim Dina, Chief
Operating Officer and Partner of the Pyramid Hotel Group. “Doubletree Resort
Orlando is passionate about hospitality, and we continually strive to make this
hotel a great place to work. As part of
being recognized as one of the best places to work, allows us to recruit and
retain the best hospitality professionals in the business.”
“Families are key
to our business and key to this community”, says Greg Gooding, the property’s
General Manager. “With outstanding training and benefits, friendly upbeat
atmosphere and overall commitment to excellence, we welcome families, not only
as guests, but also as valued members of the Doubletree Resort Orlando team.”
The new Doubletree
Resort Orlando is owned by New York-based UrbanAmerica, one of the nation’s foremost
minority-controlled, real estate private equity firms.
Pyramid Hotel Group, LLC, a Boston-based full-service hotel management and
advisory company, manages the property. The T.R. ENGEL Group, a leading
Boston-based full-service hospitality advisory and asset management firm serves
as the asset manager for the property.
“UrbanAmerica, along with Pyramid Hotel
Group, is devoted to community-driven investment,” says Richmond McCoy,
president and CEO of UrbanAmerica. “We are proud of the many ways in
with the Doubletree Resort Orlando has embraced Central Florida, not only by
creating jobs and a positive work environment, but also by initiating many
programs to enrich the communities in
which the resort’s associates live and work.”
Among Doubletree Resort Orlando’s community outreach initiatives is an
ongoing First Responders Campaign that includes recognition programs and travel
discounts. In celebration of its branding to Doubletree last September, the
property gave away staycations as a way of saying thank you to Central Florida’s law enforcement officers, firefighters,
highway patrolmen, emergency medical technicians and active military personnel.
The resort donates regularly to area nonprofit organizations, including United
Way of Central Florida, Coalition for the Homeless, Toys for Tots, and the
Central Florida Adopt a Teacher program to name a few.
Spanning 28 acres in the heart of Central Florida’s tourism corridor, the 1,094-room
Doubletree Resort Orlando is the largest property in the Doubletree portfolio
worldwide. Located at 10100 International Drive, the full-service property is
two minutes from the Orange County Convention Center and within walking
distance of SeaWorld and its Aquatica water
park.
The landmark resort features a soothing Balinese-inspired design
with contemporary, dark-wood furnishings and Indonesian accents set against a
lush, tropical landscape. Each guestroom and suite is richly appointed with plush
Doubletree Sweet Dreams® bedding and luxury linens as well as high-tech
comforts that include flat-screen television, iPod®-ready clock radio and high-speed
wireless Internet access. For Orland’s bustling meetings industry, Doubletree
Resort Orlando has 60,000 square feet
of flexible event space, ranging from grand ballrooms to covered garden
verandas; a casual upscale bar; and three dining options, including outdoor
eateries and the full-service
Bamboo Grille. Among the other onsite
amenities: three palm-tree-lined swimming pools, a spa, state-of-the-art
fitness center, miniature golf course, a high-tech children’s lounge with computers and Nintendo Wii game
stations, a business center and more.
For more information, call 1-800-327-0363 or visit www.doubletreeorlandoidrive.com.
