Gaylord Sets Dates for Marriott Takeover at Opryland Resort

Marriott International will begin taking control of some of the attractions at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center next month, part of a $210 million deal that involves Gaylord Entertainment Co. selling its hotel brand and management operations. Marriott will take over management of the General Jackson showboat, Gaylord Springs Golf Links and Wildhorse Saloon at the Nashville resort on Oct. 1 and the Radisson Hotel Opryland on Dec. 1. The hotel will be renamed the Inn at Opryland, a Gaylord Hotel. Gaylord plans to convert itself to a real-estate investment trust by the end of the year. It will continue to own all the resort assets, and it will continue to own and manage country music institutions the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and WSM-AM. marketwatch.com