GF Grabs Orlando Embassy Suites Hotel

ORLANDO—ESLBV Property Owner LLC, an affiliate of GF Management, has acquired the Embassy Suites Orlando-Lake Buena Vista. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the firm is investing more than $13 million into renovation projects over the year.

Located at 8100 Lake Street in Orlando, the hotel has 334 rooms. The hotel will maintain its affiliation with the Embassy Suites brand.

The acquisition of the Embassy Suites Orlando-Lake Buena Vista marks the second Hilton-branded acquisition in the past year for GF. Being an owner and operator for more than two decades, the company has honed in its focused hotel acquisition strategy to one of discipline, identifying hotel assets of value to expand the company's owned portfolio.  

“We knew immediately that the Embassy Suites Orlando-Lake Buena Vista would be a defining acquisition for the company,” says Jefferey Kolessar, senior vice president of Development at GF. “Undertaking such a significant transaction with only internal resources shows how far this privately owned company has come and what type of acquisitions we are setting our sights on.”

Located less than one mile from Walt Disney World Resort and minutes from Sea World Orlando and Universal Studios Orlando, the hotel's two-room suites come equipped with refrigerator, microwave, sofa bed and other modern in-room amenities. The hotel also offers event space for up to 230 guests, and on-site amenities including tennis courts, indoor/outdoor pools, sand volleyball, and a fitness center.

HREC Investment Advisors brokered the hotel transaction. Scott Stephens, COO and senior principal at HREC, calls the sale yet another high-profile hotel transaction in Central Florida.

“Through their actions on this transaction, GF demonstrated commitment to a deal that they truly believed in and followed through on those commitments,” says Stephens. “They are dedicated professionals that will enjoy success in the Orlando market.”