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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

“How do you assure food products are made and stored properly? What impact will it make on neighborhood children who play/bike on streets? What percentage of sales directly take away...”
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“What’s that staius on this case? It’s been two years.”
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“Mmmm…but residential single family home neighborhoods must put up with vacation rentals being aloud here & there & everywhere. Many impacts on neighborhoods these days. If they’re allowed, why not...”
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Vera Scavuzza commented on WordroW: August 3, 2026
“TRAIL”
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“What no one is mentioning is the change of traffic patterns on the neighbors. A previously quiet RESIDENTIAL street has now become a steady flow of large SUVs, and cars....”
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“Why do they put the locations out to the public?”
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“Another case of someone trying to make an extra buck and here comes some whiner to throw a monkey wrench in it. If these small businesses could afford a lease...”
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George Robert Cilek commented on WordroW: August 3, 2026
“what is the answer”
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“So few of these motel/hotels left. Thanks for not tearing it down”
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“My humble opinion is that we need the steady logical input from Brett Hinley for Okaloosa school board district 5. He’s a native of Niceville, went to school here and...”
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