$600M Omni headquarters hotel clears financing hurdle. KEY TAKEAWAYS: * The State Bond Commission unanimously approved key financing terms for the planned $600 million Omni headquarters hotel. * The Convention Center will commit $200 million toward development, construction and operation of the approximately 1,000-room hotel. * The project is planned across Convention Center Boulevard from Hall C and is targeting a potential 2030 opening. * The revised financing structure follows months of negotiations over public incentives and includes a 45-year pledge of certain tax revenues. The Louisiana State Bond Commission on Thursday unanimously approved key financial terms for the planned $600 million Omni headquarters hotel at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, clearing a major state financing hurdle for the long-planned project. "State Bond Commission approval is a very significant win for Louisiana and moves the Omni Headquarters Hotel substantially closer to beginning construction," said Jim Cook, president and CEO of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Under the approved plan, the Convention Center will commit $200 million to Dallas-based developer Omni Hotels & Resorts toward the development, construction, and operation of the new hotel. The Bond Commission also approved a 45-year arrangement allowing Omni to receive a portion of hotel, food and beverage, and sales tax revenues generated within a special subdistrict encompassing the hotel property. "These approvals allow the Convention Center to move forward with the financial obligations agreed to by the Convention Center's board, the Authority, in the overall development agreement with Omni and to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement pursuant to which the Authority and the Headquarters Hotel Subdistrict will pledge tax revenues back to the project," Cook said. Cook emphasized that the applications did not seek a direct financial commitment, tax dedication, or guarantee from the state. "We appreciate the commission's careful review and recognition of the jobs, economic activity, and long-term opportunity this investment will create," Cook said. The hotel is planned for a site across Convention Center Boulevard from Hall C, between John Churchill Chase Street, South Peters Street, and Andrew Higgins Boulevard. Current plans call for approximately 1,000 rooms. It would rank among the largest hotels in New Orleans and would be the first hotel with at least 1,000 rooms built in the city in more than four decades. The Convention Center has 1.1 million square feet of exhibit space and has reported $90.1 billion in economic impact since opening in 1985. Deal reworked after state concerns Thursday's approval follows months of negotiations and delays over the amount and structure of public incentives supporting the hotel. In August, Louisiana Senate President Cameron Henry, a member of the State Bond Commission, said the financing structure did not have sufficient support on the commission, prompting the Convention Center to withdraw its request and rework the agreement. Later that month, the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority restructured the deal, replacing much of the long-term tax-rebate package originally contemplated with an upfront payment structure valued at up to $120 million. That commitment is separate from the Convention Center's previously approved $80 million investment in the hotel, which gives the Authority a share of hotel profits. Under the terms approved Thursday, the Authority will guarantee no more than $120 million in tax-incentive payments, reduced by any amounts Omni receives through separate tax-rebate agreements. "The ongoing engagement of the Governor, his administration and legislative leadership throughout this process has helped refine the financing of this critical investment to increase the competitiveness of our state's tourism and convention industry," said Russ W. Allen, President of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, and Jim Cook, President and CEO of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, in a joint statement issued last month. The original agreement contemplated an estimated $836.7 million in hotel-generated tax rebates over 45 years. The Bureau of Governmental Research, which had urged the Convention Center to restructure the subsidies, said the August change could substantially reduce the public's long-term cost, although the final savings depend on how the revised contribution is financed and other unresolved details. The revised structure does not eliminate all long-term tax incentives. The State Bond Commission on Thursday separately approved a 45-year pledge of the Convention Center Authority's 3% hotel occupancy tax, 0.75% food and beverage sales tax, and $2-per-room nightly tax, along with the hotel subdistrict's 2% sales tax and 2% hotel occupancy tax. Those revenues will reimburse project costs and support hotel operations. The project has already cleared other major local approvals, including zoning action by the New Orleans City Council earlier this year. Developers have said construction timing is critical because foundation work is easier when Mississippi River levels are lower, and additional delays could affect the targeted 2030 opening. "Meeting planners have consistently told us that a headquarters hotel is an important piece of the infrastructure New Orleans needs to remain a leading destination for meetings, conventions and events," Leger said. "Cities across the country continue to invest aggressively in their convention districts, hotels and visitor infrastructure, and this project will strengthen New Orleans' ability to compete."

Omni Pontoque resort at Punta de Mita to open spring 2027 in Mexico. In Brief: Omni Hotels & Resorts has opened reservations for Omni Pontoque at Punta de Mita, with stays beginning March 2, 2027, ahead of the resort's planned spring 2027 opening. Omni Pontoque at Punta de Mita is located on 50 oceanfront acres in Mexico's Riviera Nayarit, between mountains and white-sand beaches. The property will include 202 guest rooms, 28 junior suites, 14 suites with private plunge pools and two four-bedroom residential-style villas positioned on cliffs. The resort is planned to include three ocean-view restaurants, a pool bar and grill, an all-day dining restaurant and a coffee, ice cream and market venue. Tatei will serve seafood and coastal fare on the beachfront. Zuravé will offer regional dishes and modern culinary techniques. Esmeralda will provide all-day dining with global flavors and local ingredients. Periiku will offer coffee, handmade ice cream, grab-and-go snacks and a market. The property will have five pools, private access to a 1,250-foot white-sand beach, a spa, an oceanfront fitness center and additional private amenities. The Spa at Omni Pontoque will cover 11,105 square feet and comprise 12 standalone buildings with 14 treatment rooms. The fitness center will include indoor and outdoor exercise areas and equipment. Omni Pontoque will offer 27,295 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space for weddings, industry events and leadership offsites. Its Parota Ballroom will measure 5,869 square feet and open onto the 6,475-square-foot Papelillo Event Lawn, which can accommodate up to 750 guests. The event facilities will also include three private breakout rooms and Tzicuri Pavilion, with a patio and lawn overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The spaces will include audiovisual technology and high-speed connectivity. The resort will also have a kids club. Activities available through the resort will include guided nature tours and boat charters to the uninhabited Islas Marietas. Mountain trails, ATV routes and ziplines are also available in the area. Reservations are available for the property's leading-category rooms and suites. Additional details, including the official opening date, will be announced soon.

Reservations open for luxury Omni Pontoque at Punta de Mita. September 10, 2026 Omni Hotels & Resorts has opened reservations for its first luxury property in Mexico, Omni Pontoque at Punta de Mita, with stays beginning March 2, 2027. The resort, set on 50 oceanfront acres in Mexico's Riviera Nayarit, is scheduled to debut in spring 2027 between coastal mountains and a stretch of white-sand beach. Additional details, including an official opening date, are expected later. "Opening reservations for Omni Pontoque represents a significant step forward for Omni Hotels & Resorts as we prepare to welcome guests to our first luxury property in Mexico," said Dan Piotrowski, SVP of Operations, in a press statement. "Omni Pontoque will deliver a breadth of amenities and warm, personalized service that define the Omni experience. With beachfront accommodations, wellness and dining, the resort creates a memorable stay grounded in the natural beauty of the Riviera Nayarit." Omni Pontoque by the numbers. The property will include 202 guestrooms, 28 junior suites, 14 suites with private plunge pools and two 4-bedroom residential-style villas set above the coastline. Your clients will have private access to a 1,250-foot white-sand beach, five resort pools and more than 27,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. Food and beverage offerings will include five venues. Tatei, the resort's signature restaurant, will serve beachfront seafood and coastal fare with Pacific Ocean views. Zurave will pair regional culinary traditions with modern techniques, while a pool bar and grill will offer casual poolside fare and cocktails. Esmeralda will provide all-day dining combining global and local ingredients, and Periiku will offer artisanal coffee, ice cream and a gourmet grab-and-go market. The Spa at Omni Pontoque will occupy 11,105 sq. ft. across 12 standalone buildings with 14 treatment rooms offering treatments tailored to individual guests. An oceanfront fitness center will include indoor and outdoor exercise areas. Additional activities will include a kids club, guided nature tours, boat charters to the uninhabited Islas Marietas, mountain trails, ATV routes and ziplines through the surrounding jungle and coastline.