The Sarasota-based developer has struck a deal with the Orofino family of Naples, Italy to incorporate the family's Aurum Hotels network into the Manorhouse network. That deal will add more than 30 European hotel affiliations to the Appel undertaking, Appel president Art Eckert says in a prepared statement.

At the same time, Appel has purchased a two-acre tract on Tara Boulevard in east Manatee County from Coast Communications Corp. of Naples, FL for $940,000, or $470,000 per acre ($10.79 per sf), to build the partners' first 80-suite condo hotel at a development cost of $7 million. The projected retail price of the average 400-sf units will be under $300,000, Eckert says.

A second three-story Manorhouse property is planned at Tallevast Road and State Road 301. Construction on the first Manorhouse Inn is tentatively scheduled to start by spring 2006 with completion by December of the same year.

"These facilities will serve as prototypes for a new international consortium of boutique, condominium hotels serving both the business and vacation traveler," Eckert says. "The concept for Manorhouse Inns and Suites is unique. Our vision is that local companies, business travelers and vacationers will recognize the Manorhouse concept as a convenient, comfortable and attractive home away from home."

Tampa is "one of the targeted locations for a future [Manorhouse Inn] site," Eckert says. "We are also looking at locations in Orlando, as well as the Fort Myers/Naples area." The first Manorhouse Inn is about 45 minutes from Downtown Tampa.

Despite a growing amount of competition in Southwest Florida for the condo hotel concept, Eckert says "there may be competition but there is [also] a very high demand for hotel rooms and rates are on the rise for hotels throughout Florida and the United States."

S.S. Appel's other properties are in Bradenton and New York with affiliations in Spain, France and Italy. Georgio Orofino is the international manager of Aurum Hotels and is a partner with his family which owns Aurum Hotels. He is also president of Stay and Visit Inc. which handles tours coming from North America to Italy and other parts of Europe. Stay and Visit Inc. is based in Sarasota.