The Dunfey family of New England founded the company in 1958.  Beginning with Lamie’s Motor Inn (32 rooms) in Hampton, N.H., the business grew to more than 8,000 rooms through the 1960s and 1970s, changing owners twice – first to Aetna Life & Casualty Co. and then to Aer Lingus, the Irish national airline.

In 1983, the company acquired Omni International Hotels and its three hotels located in Atlanta, Norfolk and Miami. Soon after, Dunfey Hotels changed its name to Omni Hotels and began focusing attention on its upscale, downtown properties and divesting itself of its mid-market and franchised hotels.

By 1986, Omni Hotels was recognized as one of the top hotel management companies, operating unique, first-class, full-service hotels.  In 1987, Omni Hotels entered into selective franchising agreements as a means of expanding distribution and enhancing customer awareness of Omni Hotels as a growing company serving discriminating customers.

World International Holdings, Ltd. and The Wharf (Holdings) Limited, a Hong Kong diversified trading company representing some 10 percent of the Hong Kong stock market, purchased Omni Hotels in 1988.

In 1989, Omni Hotels became the first major hotel chain to shift the focus of its frequent traveler program, Select Guest®, from an awards program to a guest recognition program.

In February 1996, TRT Holdings, Inc. of Corpus Christi, Texas, purchased Omni Hotels/North America, which included nine upscale hotels, management contracts and franchise agreements on 26 others and the rights to the Omni Hotels brand name worldwide, excluding Asia.

Omni Hotels implemented a company-wide capital improvements program in 1997 that encompassed the development and installation of new technology systems including new property management and revenue management systems, as well as sweeping property renovations.

In 1998, the company acquired new Omni Hotels in San Francisco, Denver, Detroit, Charlotte, New Haven, Connecticut and Puerto Aventuras, Mexico.  The company made its first foray into Canada in January 1999 with the acquisition of the Hôtel Omni Mont-Royal, formerly the Westin Mont-Royal.

Omni Hotels launched an industry first in 2002 with the Get Fit Kit and Get Fit Room that offer guests the privacy and convenience of in-room workouts.  The Get Fit Kit contains exercise equipment, a mini AM/FM headset and a bottle of water.  The Get Fit Room, which guests can request for a nominal fee, features a treadmill and a mini bar stocked with healthy snacks and drinks.

A $100 million expansion of the Omni Hotel at CNN Center in downtown Atlanta was completed in November 2003.  In April 2004, Omni opened a new luxury hotel in San Diego – strategically located across the street from the city’s downtown convention center and connected by a skybridge to PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres.  In December 2004, Omni unveiled the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, a full-scale golf and spa resort located in one of the country’s top tourism markets.

In August 2006 Omni Hotels broke ground on the Omni Fort Worth Hotel. The 34-story, $90 million luxury hotel is adjacent to the city’s convention center and will have 604 rooms and 98 luxury condominiums.