At a cost of $7 million and after almost two years of construction, the completely renovated Ramada Hotel Venice, 455 North US 41 Bypass, is planning a soft opening for mid-December.

Sarasotan Vincent Payne heads Venice Management Group, owners of this Ramada hotel, Captiva Beach Resort on Siesta Key and the Hibiscus Suites at Stickney Point in Sarasota. The original renovation plans had to be changed to meet Ramada standards, which prolonged the restoration of the hotel.