New Hotels Planned in Orange County

Signaling what may be a new wave of hotel development in south Orange County, two companies have launched plans to build three hotels with a total of more than 250 rooms in and around Foothill Ranch. The new hotels will be miles away from a major freeway and the John Wayne Airport in Costa Mesa, but consultants say hotel companies no doubt recognize the potential of Foothill Ranch, a planned community, to lure businesses. A number of high-profile companies, including Oakley Inc. and Wet Seal Inc., are moving their headquarters to the area, which has no nearby lodging. Denver-based Stonebridge Cos., a franchiser of 16 hotels in the Western United States, said it has purchased about four acres of land fronting the Foothill transportation corridor for $1.84 million. It plans to break ground in July on an 84-room Hampton Inn and another mid-scale hotel. Extended Stay America of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said it has purchased a three-acre site and will build a 90-room hotel.