Ryman to Buy Grande Lakes Orlando in $1.38 Billion Asset Deal
The resort would extend Ryman’s luxury-hotel network and deepen its presence in the nation’s top meetings market.
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (RHP) agreed to acquire Grande Lakes Orlando Resort for $1.38 billion in an asset-purchase transaction, expanding the lodging real estate investment trust’s portfolio in Orlando and adding another property to its Marriott-focused group strategy. The acquisition would strengthen the rotation of customers among its JW Marriott and Gaylord Hotels properties.
The transaction was expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Ryman did not disclose a per-room valuation, financing plan, or expected contribution to adjusted funds from operations in the announcement details. The company also did not specify separate shareholder or regulatory approvals beyond the customary conditions attached to the purchase.
Grande Lakes would establish a nationwide rotational network for the JW Marriott brand across Ryman's hotel portfolio while introducing Ritz-Carlton as a new luxury brand. The addition would give the company access to a high-value customer segment and customer insights that could support portfolio-wide growth.
“Grande Lakes is a terrific asset and one that fits all of our ownership criteria. The transaction strengthens our JW Marriott and Gaylord Hotels customer rotation strategies, expands our presence in the nation’s top meetings market and creates the opportunity for meaningful portfolio synergies. Building on the success of our growing JW Marriott platform, Grande Lakes establishes a nationwide rotational network for the JW Marriott brand within our hotel portfolio. Grande Lakes also introduces Ritz-Carlton as a new luxury brand within our portfolio, providing access to a high-value customer segment and unique customer insights that can further strengthen our platform and support long-term value creation across the portfolio,” Chief Executive Mark Fioravanti said.
The agreement followed Ryman’s $865 million purchase of the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. Announced in May 2025 and completed the following month, that acquisition added a 950-room resort in a top-10 meetings market and was similarly framed around customer rotation and operating synergies. The two transactions showed Ryman directing capital toward large, group-oriented resorts that broaden the geographic reach of its Marriott-managed portfolio.
Closing Grande Lakes would give Ryman a larger position in Orlando while connecting its Gaylord Hotels base with a broader JW Marriott network and its first Ritz-Carlton-branded property. The execution test now turns on completing the purchase during the third quarter and converting that expanded brand and customer reach into the portfolio synergies management outlined.