A new name joins the Rosen hotel portfolio with Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista

Known as much for philanthropy as he is for hotels, Harris Rosen is adding to his namesake resorts with the newly re-branded Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista.

By Susan and Simon Veness

Rosen is a true Orlando success story. He got his start as an employee at New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel in 1964; he served four years in the United States Army; he worked as the Disney Company’s director of hotel planning when Walt Disney World opened in 1971; was instrumental in the pre-opening design and success of Disney’s Contemporary and Polynesian Resorts; and by 1974 he had purchased the 256-room Quality Inn International and later branded it in his own name.

Some 46 years later, Rosen is still hands-on with his portfolio of eight hotels. One of those hotels, the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista, which he purchased in 1987, expanded to 640 guest rooms, and renamed the Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista, was full on its opening night and ran at an unheard of 100% occupancy for five straight years.

“We simply deployed a flashing billboard along Interstate 4 reading ‘Best Rates in Town,’” said Rosen, by way of explaining his success. “It is one of my proudest accomplishments as a hotelier.”

Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista’s location just over a mile north-east of the Disney Springs entry to Walt Disney World partially accounts for its popularity, but Rosen’s acumen as a proprietor and his willingness—eagerness, even—to be as hands-on as possible played a huge role in the welcome feeling guests get when they stay at a Rosen hotel.

And that same friendly attitude will continue when the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista undergoes its third incarnation, reopening on Oct. 1, 2020, as Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista.

“I am grateful for the Comfort Inn and Clarion Inn names and the brand awareness they afforded me as I grew my collection of Central Florida hotels,” said Rosen. “Despite the pandemic, we have been planning this rebranding for close to two years, and did not want to wait any longer to unveil another Rosen Inn hotel as we reopen amidst the current pandemic.”

It isn’t just how active he is in the running of his hotels that sets Rosen’s properties apart; it is also their founder’s overall ethos.

“The Rosen Inn brand is built on family. It is the culmination of a lifelong dream to have all of my hotels under one umbrella where families—from our guests to our own Rosen family of associates—are paramount. While we have combined the best practices culled through years in the industry to create the best accommodations’ experience in Orlando, we are most proud of the heart of our company and our valued associates, who are dedicated to welcoming our guests to a true home away from home. I’m most certain this is why we enjoy seeing so many of the same smiling faces from all over the country and the world returning each year to our humble properties.”

Along with six of Rosen’s hotels on International Drive and the luxurious 1,501-room Rosen Shingle Creek on Universal Boulevard, the Lake Buena Vista property has always been somewhat of a lone ranger.

“I purchased this hotel so that I would have one within my collection that accommodated the Walt Disney World guest and the many families looking for affordable accommodations during their Disney stays,” said Rosen.

As a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel, the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista will continue to offer valuable amenities such as free parking, free Wi-Fi in guest rooms, and plenty of room to roam among its 23 acres that offer water features throughout, including Ozzie’s Splash Zone children’s play area and a covered lakeside picnic spot. Even with all that on offer, there is never a resort fee.

Health and safety has always been paramount across Rosen’s eight properties, and in accordance with the best medical professional and governmental information available, Rosen Inn Lake Buena Visit will require guest and staff temperature screenings via walk-through touchless scanners or hand-held scanners; the use of facial masks; and adherence to social distancing markers in areas that require queuing, such as the front desk and dining outlets. Touchless hand sanitizer dispensers featuring 60%+ alcohol foam sanitizer are available in all common areas.

All guest rooms will be fully sanitized before each party’s arrival using hospital-grade disinfectants delivered via electrostatic sprayers; touch-points and items handled by the public are sanitized frequently; and all bed and bath linens undergo thorough cleaning with detergents and temperatures sufficient to kill viruses.

Those with hotel reservations who are experiencing symptoms of illness may cancel or reschedule their stay without penalty.

“We are so honored to be part of the Central Florida hotel landscape and cannot wait to welcome our guests back to the hotel as a Rosen Inn when we reopen on Oct. 1,” said General Manager Bob Coletti, a 20+ year Rosen associate. “While our dedication to an exemplary guest experience has never wavered, we are excited to now be part of the Rosen brand and to welcome guests who will readily recognize the attributes the Rosen name provides.”

Ready to book your stay? A new “VIP Perks Program” offers guests, including those on the Choice Hotels’ points program, big savings. Visitors to Orlando can also can book the new Fun-Cation getaway, with rates starting at just $59 a night, plus tax. As added-value, the package includes exclusive buy-one-get-one free offers at area attractions.

The Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista is located at 8442 Palm Parkway, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, 32836. For more information, visit RosenLBV.com or call 407-996-7343.