Sonesta will have its first franchised hotel in the U.S. when the Sheraton Orlando Downtown is converted to a Sonesta on Jan. 17.

The hotel will be Sonesta's 31st worldwide. In the U.S., there are Sonesta hotels in Boston, Miami and New Orleans.

"As our first domestic franchise since the launch of Sonesta's U.S. franchise program earlier this year, this attractive, upscale property represents a new era for Sonesta as our company embarks on its exciting domestic expansion," said Philip Silberstein, Sonesta's executive vice president of development.

The 341-room hotel recently underwent a $10 million renovation. An additional $4 million will be invested by the hotel's owner to rebrand the hotel to Sonesta standards, including 37-inch high-definition TVs and Sonesta's bedding package.

Overlooking Orlando's Lake Ivanhoe, the Sonesta Hotel Orlando Downtown is located in the city's business district near the arts center.

The hotel has a heated, rooftop pool; a full-service restaurant; and 20,000 square feet of meetings space for groups of up to 500.