B Hotels & Resorts in Expansion Mode

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South Florida-based B Hotels & Resorts is on the move with two additions to their portfolio and a new 'value-full-service' category, b2 hotels, within 18 months of their first hotel opening.

"The growth B Hotels & Resorts has experienced over the past year is very exciting," said CEO and President Ayelet Weinstein. "We are developing the brand to offer distinctive benefits to the consumers, associates, hotel management companies, hotel owners, and the communities we do business in. The combination of the lifestyle self-expression experience, the unique open-source operation models, and the fresh owner-friendly terms, delivers tangible value."

B Hotels & Resorts' next hotel will be located in the Downtown Disney Resort area next year. The B in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, is going to offer a family-friendly lifestyle experience within one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, the Walt Disney World Resort. The B resort, currently the 394-room Royal Plaza, is ideally situated within walking distance to Downtown Disney, and offers easy access to all Walt Disney World and Orlando theme parks, as well as numerous shopping, dining, entertainment and nightlife venues.

The property was acquired by InSite Group and Cube Capital in December 2011 and will remain operational during a complete renovation and repositioning. It will be officially launched as part of the B Hotels & Resorts family in the fourth quarter of 2013, joining the AAA Four Diamond-rated B Ocean Fort Lauderdale which opened March 2011, and the B South Beach which is planned to open first quarter of 2013.

"The B in the Walt Disney World Resort is going to be a unique venue for visitors who are looking for an upscale lifestyle experience, tranquility and relaxation after and between fun-filled days at the adventure parks," said Weinstein. "It is being designed to allow interaction of families, couples, groups and individuals in an inspiring and stylish environment, with great amenities including international culinary concepts and a full service spa, while implementing the B brand approachable service culture."

The company's first b2 hotel will debut in downtown Miami at the site of the former Continental Bayside Hotel located at 146 Biscayne Boulevard. The 243-room property, which will undergo an extensive renovation and open as b2 Miami Downtown, is steps from the Port of Miami, the shops and restaurants of Bayside Marketplace, world-class cultural and arts venues, and the American Airlines Arena (home of the NBA champion, Miami Heat). The property was acquired by InSite Group and affiliates of The Carlyle Group in September 2011. The hotel is expected to open as b2 hotel in the first quarter of 2013.

"We've continued to garner genuine interest amongst travelers and industry experts as the portfolio of B Hotels & Resorts expands and as we enter new markets," said Christopher Tompkins, senior vice president of Marketing and Brand Programs. "We are thrilled to announce our third B hotel, which will debut in Orlando in the fall of 2013, and Miami as the destination for the first b2 hotel, a few weeks after unveiling the new value-full-service category. Like our properties in Fort Lauderdale and South Beach, these hotels will cater to a variety of business and leisure travelers, offering warm, approachable service and amenities."