Who Owns Gaylord Rockies Resort?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re planning a trip to Colorado and looking for a luxurious stay, you might have come across the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. This sprawling resort is located in Aurora, Colorado and boasts of over 1,500 rooms, eight restaurants, and a massive convention center spanning over 500,000 square feet.

But have you ever wondered who owns this impressive property? Let’s find out.

Marriott International

The Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is owned by Marriott International, one of the largest hotel chains in the world. Marriott International is an American multinational company that operates over 7,000 properties in more than 130 countries around the world. The company was founded in 1927 by J. Willard Marriott and has since grown into a global hospitality giant.

Gaylord Hotels

While Marriott International owns the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, it falls under their subsidiary brand called Gaylord Hotels. The Gaylord brand was founded in 1973 by Edward L. Gaylord and started as a small hotel chain based in Oklahoma. However, over time it grew into a larger brand with properties across the United States.

Ryman Hospitality Properties

Interestingly, Marriott International did not always own the Gaylord brand. In fact, until 2012, the Gaylord Hotels were owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (formerly known as Gaylord Entertainment Company). Ryman Hospitality Properties is an American real estate investment trust that specializes in owning hospitality assets such as hotels and entertainment venues.

The Acquisition

In May 2012, Marriott International announced its plans to acquire the Gaylord Hotels brand from Ryman Hospitality Properties for $210 million. The acquisition included four existing properties at that time – Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center (Texas), Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center (Florida), Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center (Maryland), and Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center (Tennessee).

The Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center

The Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center was not a part of the original acquisition in 2012. In fact, the resort was built by Ryman Hospitality Properties and was their first new property in over a decade. However, Marriott International acquired the property when it opened in late 2018.

Conclusion

In summary, the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is owned by Marriott International, which falls under their subsidiary brand called Gaylord Hotels. Prior to 2012, the Gaylord brand was owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties, which is now focused on owning entertainment assets. The acquisition of the Gaylord Hotels brand by Marriott International did not include the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, but Marriott acquired it separately after it opened in late 2018.