The historic property, located on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, was previously owned by Interstate Hotels Company, which Dallas-based Patriot American Hospitality Inc. (NYSE:PAH) and its paired operating company, Wyndham International acquired last June. All guest rooms, meeting space and the lobby have undergone recent renovations.

At a luncheon reception for members of Florida's tourism and travel industry, Wyndham representatives also announced the company's commitment to accelerated statewide growth with plans to incorporate strategic properties to the Wyndham brand. The next major property added to the Wyndham brand is the Buena Vista Palace Resort and Spa in the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. It will become the Wyndham Palace Resort Spa at the Walt Disney World Resort in November, 1998.

"By 1999, Wyndham's portfolio will include eight premium quality hotels and resorts representing 3,983 rooms in the state of Florida," announced James D. Carreker, chairman and CEO, Wyndham International. "We have tripled our size in the state in the past year and plan to continue on this track with select properties in ideal locations that meet the needs of our core upscale customers. Clearly, the Wyndham Miami Beach Resort and the Buena Vista Palace are prime examples of that strategy."

With the addition of the Orlando resort in November, there will be eight Wyndham-branded Hotels in Florida, including:
 
 

From the beginning of 1998 through 1999, Wyndham will make more than $40 million in capital improvements on Florida properties, much of it already completed, with plans to continue upgrades and renovations in selected properties. "Key to our strategy is the fact that we own, not just operate and manage, most of these properties," Carreker stated. "We are a long-term, committed player in each community and plan to be instrumental in driving travel and tourism in the area while ensuring that Wyndham properties are distinct and better reflective of The Wyndham Way."

The Wyndham Miami Beach Resort is surrounded on all sides by the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, is near the airport and downtown Miami and adjacent to Miami's trendy South Beach. The resort features 40,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space, including the renowned Starlight Room, a 7,584 square foot ballroom that offers a panoramic view of the ocean and the city of Miami.

Wyndham outlined plans for a multi million-dollar renovation for the property, which include upgrades and improvements to all public areas and all food and beverage areas. Wyndham also announced plans to add a dramatic water recreation feature.

In addition to its two lounges and three restaurants, the hotel features an in-house business center, concierge services, a complete fitness center, and Olympic-size heated swimming pool with poolside cabanas, numerous gift shops and boutiques, a full service hair salon, a private pier marina with boat rentals and an array of water sports and excursions available to guests. Each room boasts a view of Biscayne Bay or the Atlantic Ocean, large walk-in closets and mini-bars.

All Florida Wyndham properties offer or are being upgraded to offer the Wyndham signature services created to increase the comfort and convenience of women and business travelers. These programs include:
 

Wyndham Hotels Resorts is an upscale, full-service hotel chain that is tailored to urban, suburban, and select resort markets to best serve its core customers, which include business and leisure travelers. The Wyndham brand is owned by Dallas-based Patriot American Hospitality Inc. and is composed of four product divisions: Wyndham Hotels, Wyndham Grand Heritage Hotels, Wyndham Garden Hotels and Wyndham Resorts. For reservations, call a travel planner, Wyndham Hotels Resorts at 800-WYNDHAM, or visit Wyndham on the Internet at www.wyndham.com or www.travelweb.com.

Patriot American Hospitality Inc. (NYSE:PAH) is currently the nation's second-largest hotel real estate investment trust (REIT) with a portfolio composed of 489 owned, managed, leased or franchised hotels with more than 105,000 rooms. Its paired operating company, Wyndham International Inc., controls the operations of the Grand Bay Hotels Resorts Luxury Division, the Wyndham Hotel Group, the All-Suites Division, and the Asset Management Group. The Asset Management Group leases, manages and franchises primarily upscale hotel and resort properties represented by its proprietary brands, and provides management services for third-party owned hotels and resorts.