Ryman Hospitality Properties is expanding its convention-resort footprint with a $1.38 billion agreement to acquire Grande Lakes Orlando from Trinity Investments. The 409-acre destination combines two Marriott luxury hotels, extensive meeting space, golf, wellness and family amenities, giving Ryman a major foothold in one of the country’s strongest meetings and leisure markets.

Key takeaways

• Ryman plans to acquire Grande Lakes Orlando for $1.38 billion.
• The resort includes 1,592 rooms across a JW Marriott and a Ritz-Carlton.
• The property offers approximately 320,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
• Marriott International will continue operating both hotels.
• Ryman expects the transaction to increase adjusted funds from operations per share in 2027.

The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions. It would represent Ryman’s largest non-gaming resort acquisition and further establish the company as a significant owner of large-scale hospitality destinations.

A major addition to Ryman’s resort portfolio

Grande Lakes Orlando includes the 1,010-room JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, and the 582-room The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. The property also features a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole championship golf course, a 40,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton spa and fitness center, 14 restaurants and bars, and the Grande Lakes Waterpark.

The resort has recently received approximately $150 million in capital improvements covering guestrooms, meeting facilities and core public areas. That recent investment gives Ryman a refreshed platform for serving both group travelers and vacation guests.

Strengthening the meetings strategy

Ryman said Grande Lakes aligns with its focus on upscale, group-oriented resorts and complements its Gaylord Hotels and JW Marriott properties. The acquisition adds a new luxury brand to the company’s portfolio through Ritz-Carlton while creating more opportunities for guests and meeting customers to rotate among Ryman-owned destinations.

Orlando’s strong year-round leisure demand and reputation as a leading North American meetings destination make the resort especially attractive. Its proximity to Orlando International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest airports, further supports the property’s appeal for conventions, corporate gatherings and incentive travel.

Deal economics and expected impact

Ryman is purchasing the fee simple interest in Grande Lakes for a price equal to 12.5 times the resort’s trailing 12-month Adjusted EBITDAre through June 30, 2026. The property generated $110 million in Adjusted EBITDAre during that period, according to the company’s transaction materials.

Ryman expects the acquisition to be accretive to adjusted funds from operations per diluted share in 2027. As with any large real estate transaction, the company’s outlook remains subject to financing conditions, interest-rate changes, operating performance and the successful completion of the deal.

A broader platform for guests and events

With Grande Lakes, Ryman’s hotel portfolio would grow to approximately 13,956 rooms, based on the company’s stated portfolio totals and the resort’s 1,592 rooms. The addition also expands its presence in Florida, offering a compelling counterpart to its existing convention resorts and reinforcing the value of a nationwide network of memorable meeting and vacation destinations.

• Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. to Acquire Grande Lakes Orlando Resort for $1.38 Billion, Yahoo Finance.
• Ryman Hospitality acquires Grande Lakes Orlando Resort for $1.4bn | News, IPE Real Assets.
• Ryman Hospitality Properties to buy Grande Lakes Orlando in $1.38B deal, The Business Journals.
• Ryman Hospitality Under $1.4B Deal Makes Record Non-Gaming Resort Buy, Globest.