Former B Ocean hotel rebranded as Sonesta

The B Ocean Fort Lauderdale hotel is slated to become the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale on Friday.

Hospitality Properties Trust completed its conversion of the 999 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard hotel to launch Fort Lauderdale’s first Sonesta property. The company agreed to purchase the property for $65 million in March. Sonesta also operates a hotel in Coconut Grove.

Few immediate physical changes to the 240-room hotel are anticipated, according to the Miami Herald. Sonesta International Hotels Corp. plans to incorporate some minor amenities, including new pool decorations and refrigerators in guest rooms. Most of the existing staff is being retained.

“Once we get in and understand it a little bit better we’ll continue to look for ways to upgrade,” Sonesta executive vice president of operations Mark Sherwin said. [Miami Herald] — Eric Kalis