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Odom Hotelz to open 6 new hotels from Okaloosa to Bay counties

Odom Hotelz, a new hospitality group owned by real estate developer The Jay Odom Group, plans to open six hotels in Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties starting in 2024. Odom […]

Odom Hotelz

Odom Hotelz, a new hospitality group owned by real estate developer The Jay Odom Group, plans to open six hotels in Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties starting in 2024.

  • The hotels will operate under the IHG, Hilton and Marriott brands but aim to provide an elevated guest experience that goes beyond typical brand standards, according to details from The Jay Odom Group.

Odom Hotelz President Jay Odom said the hotels will offer high pay to attract passionate, service-oriented staff.

They also plan to make the properties stand out with exterior paint colors not typical of their brands, abundant landscaping and spacious bar areas aimed at serving local businesses and social communities.

Freedom Tech Center Home2 Suites Pool

“We’ve stepped outside the traditional paradigm of brand owners and hotel owners to create a non-formula franchise,” Odom said.

Freedom Tech Center Home2 Suites Lobby and Bar
Freedom Tech Center Holiday Inn Express and Suites.

The first Odom Hotelz property will open in a community that hosts large conferences, so it will have 4,500 square feet of meeting space – about five times more than its brand usually offers.

“We’re determined to make our standard the new standard,” Odom said.

The Jay Odom Group, founded in 1987, is a major real estate developer in the Florida Panhandle with a portfolio that includes residential communities, retail centers, offices and other hospitality properties.

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Community Comments

Patty commented on WordroW: April 3, 2026
“1 min. 15 sec”
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“Who are the providers for the facility?”
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Joe commented on WordroW: April 3, 2026
“3min 33sec”
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Michael L. Cobb commented on WordroW: April 3, 2026
“4 min 27 sec”
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“Use part of the $5million to remove the docks that are in an already overcrowded harbor.”
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“Fire hydrants are color coded for the rate of water flow measured in gallons per minute (GPM). Seems like painting the hydrants in artistic color designs would mess up this...”
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“Isn't that going to make that area of waterway too crowded during tourist season ? As is already is!”
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Michael L. Cobb commented on WordroW: April 1, 2026
“1 min 36 sec”
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“Who authorized the building of the docks?”
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