Omni Hotels & Resorts: Ownership and History
Omni Hotels & Resorts is one of the most respected names in the luxury hospitality industry, operating a portfolio of distinctive hotels and resorts across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For travelers and industry professionals alike, understanding who owns this prominent hotel chain provides insight into its strategic direction, brand values, and position within the broader hospitality landscape. Omni Hotels & Resorts is owned by TRT Holdings, Inc., a privately held company based in Dallas, Texas, that is controlled by American billionaire businessman Robert B. Rowling.
TRT Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding company with interests in hospitality, oil and gas, and other industries. The company was founded by Robert B. Rowling's father, Reese Rowling, who built a fortune in the oil business in West Texas. Robert B. Rowling took control of TRT Holdings after his father's passing and significantly expanded the company's scope, most notably through the acquisition of Omni Hotels in 1996. Under Rowling's ownership, Omni Hotels has grown from a modest collection of properties into a prestigious luxury brand with properties in many of the most desirable destinations across North America.
The History of Omni Hotels
The Omni Hotels brand has a rich history that dates back several decades and includes multiple ownership changes before arriving at its current home under TRT Holdings. The brand originated in the 1950s as Dunfey Hotels, founded by the Dunfey family in New Hampshire. The Dunfey family grew their hotel business throughout the northeastern United States before expanding nationally. In 1983, Aer Lingus, the Irish national airline, acquired the Dunfey hotel chain and rebranded the properties as Omni Hotels, choosing the name "Omni" for its meaning of "all" or "everything" to reflect the brand's aspiration to provide comprehensive luxury hospitality.
The brand changed hands several times during the late 1980s and early 1990s, a turbulent period for the hospitality industry. Wharf Holdings, a Hong Kong-based real estate company, acquired Omni Hotels from Aer Lingus in 1988. Under Wharf Holdings' ownership, the chain continued to operate but did not see significant expansion. In 1996, Robert B. Rowling's TRT Holdings acquired Omni Hotels from Wharf Holdings, beginning the current chapter of the brand's history.
Robert B. Rowling: The Man Behind Omni
Robert B. Rowling is a Texas-born businessman whose wealth derives from a combination of inherited oil interests and savvy business acquisitions. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Rowling graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a business degree and earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University. After his father's death in 1995, Rowling inherited a significant oil and gas fortune and the family's holding company, TRT Holdings.
Rowling quickly demonstrated his business acumen by diversifying TRT Holdings beyond oil and gas. His most significant move was the acquisition of Omni Hotels in 1996, which established the hospitality division as a cornerstone of TRT Holdings' portfolio. Under his leadership, Omni Hotels has undergone a remarkable transformation, with significant investments in property renovations, new hotel development, and brand positioning that has elevated Omni into the upper tier of the luxury hospitality market.
Forbes has consistently listed Rowling among America's wealthiest individuals, with an estimated net worth in the billions. Despite his wealth, Rowling maintains a relatively low public profile compared to other billionaire hotel owners. He is known for his strategic, long-term approach to business, preferring to invest in quality and brand development rather than rapid expansion or short-term profit maximization.
TRT Holdings' Business Portfolio
While Omni Hotels is the most visible company in TRT Holdings' portfolio, the holding company has diverse business interests. In addition to Omni Hotels & Resorts, TRT Holdings has held interests in Gold's Gym International, which it acquired in 2004 and operated until the gym chain was sold in 2020, and various oil and gas properties primarily in the Permian Basin region of West Texas and New Mexico. The diversification across multiple industries helps TRT Holdings manage risk and maintain financial stability even during downturns in any single sector.
The Omni Hotels Portfolio Today
Under TRT Holdings' ownership, Omni Hotels & Resorts has grown to operate over 50 hotels and resorts across North America. The portfolio includes urban luxury hotels in major cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, and Nashville, as well as destination resorts in sought-after locations like Hilton Head Island, Amelia Island, Scottsdale, and Carlsbad. Each property is designed to reflect the unique character and culture of its location, a philosophy the brand calls "power of the individual."
Notable properties in the Omni portfolio include The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia, one of the oldest resort destinations in the United States with a history dating back to 1766. The Omni Dallas Hotel, a 1,001-room convention center hotel adjacent to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, represents the brand's largest property. The Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin, Texas, is a luxury golf and spa resort set in the Texas Hill Country. And the recently developed Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport is a modern luxury property that exemplifies the brand's commitment to creating properties that become integral parts of their communities.
What Makes Omni Different in the Luxury Hotel Market
The private ownership structure of Omni Hotels gives it several competitive advantages in the luxury hotel market. Unlike publicly traded hotel companies that face pressure to maximize quarterly earnings for shareholders, Omni can take a longer-term view on investments and property development. This has allowed the company to invest heavily in its properties, develop ambitious new projects, and maintain a consistent brand standard without the short-term financial pressures that can sometimes compromise quality at publicly traded hotel chains.
Omni is also distinguished by its Select Guest loyalty program, its commitment to local culinary experiences at each property, and its family-friendly Omni Kids program. The brand positions itself in the upper upscale to luxury segment, competing with brands like Marriott's Autograph Collection, Hilton's Waldorf Astoria, and Hyatt's Grand Hyatt, while maintaining the personalized service and distinctive character that its private ownership enables. The company continues to expand selectively with new development projects and strategic acquisitions that align with its brand positioning.
The Future of Omni Hotels
As a privately held company, Omni Hotels does not publicly disclose detailed financial information or long-term strategic plans. However, the company's continued investment in new properties, renovations of existing ones, and expansion of its resort portfolio suggests a confident outlook for the brand's future. The private ownership under TRT Holdings provides stability and continuity of vision that many industry analysts view as a significant advantage in the increasingly competitive luxury hospitality market. For travelers, this means continued access to a collection of distinctive, well-maintained luxury properties with a level of personalized service that reflects the pride of ownership that comes from a dedicated private owner like Robert B. Rowling.
