How a 32-room New Hampshire motel grew into an international hotel empire

Countries & Cities · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1958, the Dunfey brothers added a modest 32-room motel to a restaurant property. Decades later, that small New England venture transformed into Omni Hotels & Resorts, a massive international operation managing over 20,000 rooms and employing more than 23,000 people across the United States and Canada.

The evolution of Omni Hotels & Resorts is a story of strategic acquisitions and rebranding. The company began as Dunfey Hotels, founded in 1958 when the Dunfey brothers expanded their Lamie's Tavern restaurant property in Hampton, New Hampshire, by adding a 32-room motel. Following this, they established a presence across New England, which included 14 Sheraton Hotels franchises by 1964. A pivotal moment occurred in 1983 when Dunfey Hotels acquired the Atlanta-based Omni International Hotels chain, which at the time consisted of only three properties in Atlanta, Norfolk, and Miami.

This acquisition led to a structural reorganization. The company split into two divisions: the smaller motels and Sheraton franchises remained under the Dunfey Hotels brand while being divested, while the new Omni division focused on large, upscale modern hotels. Ownership of the brand shifted several times through the late 20th century. World International Holdings, Ltd. acquired Omni Hotels from Aer Lingus in 1988. The deal, worth $135 million, included The Wharf (Holdings) Limited. Robert Rowling, a private equity investor from Texas with TRT Holdings, bought the brand by February 1996, later relocating its head office to Dallas, Texas.

In the 21st century, Omni has focused on high-value acquisitions and significant expansions. In 2013, a massive $900 million deal with KSL Capital Partners allowed Omni to acquire five iconic American golf resorts, including the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California. More recently, the company has continued to expand its footprint, opening a new hotel in Ft. Lauderdale in 2025 and planning future properties in Mexico and Raleigh, North Carolina.

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