Marriott Completes Acquisition of Gaylord Hotels Brand and Hotel Management Company

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Marriott International, Inc. has said that it has completed the transaction announced on May 31 with Gaylord Entertainment Company, now Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., to acquire the Gaylord brand and hotel management company for $210 million. Gaylord Entertainment’s shareholders approved that company’s transition to a real estate investment trust on September 25, and Gaylord Entertainment merged with Ryman Hospitality Properties and assumed that name today. Ryman will continue to own the existing four Gaylord hotels and Marriott will manage the properties under long-term agreements.

In addition, Marriott will also manage three Nashville attractions, effective 1st October: the General Jackson Showboat, Gaylord Springs Golf Links, and Wildhorse Saloon. On December 1, Marriott will assume management of the Radisson Hotel Opryland, which will then be renamed The Inn at Opryland, a Gaylord Hotel. Ryman will also continue to own these properties. The transaction adds five hotels and approximately 8,100 rooms to the Marriott International portfolio.

Gaylord Hotels are uniquely positioned in the group and family leisure segments with approximately 2 million square feet of meeting and event space. They offer multiple opportunities for recreation, shopping, and dining, as well as entertainment, such as their partnership with DreamWorks™.

Arne Sorenson, Marriott International president and chief executive officer, said, “Our partnership with the Gaylord organization has been exceptional. Both the Gaylord and Marriott transition teams have worked closely together with much skill and dedication to be ready for this exciting day. Gaylord’s proven success in the meetings and family leisure markets, and their “all-in-one-place” properties will greatly enhance our portfolio and will provide new opportunities both for Gaylord associates, called STARS, and Marriott associates. We are delighted to welcome our new Gaylord portfolio and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Ryman Hospitality Properties.”

“We are thrilled that this transaction is now complete and to be part of Marriott’s industry leading network of hotels,” said Colin V. Reed, Ryman Properties chairman and chief executive officer. “We chose to work with Marriott because they share our commitment to building a strong employee culture and delivering a superior customer experience.”

Daniel Fountain / 09.10.2012

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

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