RENOVATED AND NEW FLORIDA KEYS MEETING AND EVENT PROPERTIES OFFER OCEANFRONT LUXURY
FLORIDA KEYS — The tropical setting that meeting planners appreciate in the Florida Keys never changes, but many properties from Key Largo to Key West have made changes to offer world-class venues with world-renowned ocean vistas.
The most extensive makeover took place at the historic Casa Marina Resort & Beach Club, located on the Atlantic Ocean at 1500 Reynolds St. in Key West. Built by railroad visionary Henry Flagler and opened on New Year’s Eve 1920, the landmark resort has just undergone a $43 million renovation that included virtually all aspects of the property.
Casa Marina Resort & Beach Club now offers nine indoor meeting rooms with 11,000 square feet of elegance and style to accommodate groups from 14 to 400. The 4,840-square-foot Keys Ballroom breaks out into five sections, while the East Beach and West Beach rooms offer poolside decks with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The 3,000-square-foot Flagler’s Ballroom also is well suited for a business event. In addition, four outdoor reception areas are available to accommodate up to 200 people in a breathtaking setting.
Business guests will find wired and wireless high-speed Internet access in all meeting rooms, on-site audiovisual and technology services, 311 guestrooms and suites, and the largest private sandy beach in Key West. On-site catering is available as well.
For information, visit www.casamarinaresort.com.
Hyatt Key West Resort & Spa, located overlooking the Gulf of Mexico at 601 Front St., recently completed an $11 million renovation. The property features 118 newly styled rooms as well as three meeting and banquet spaces for successful conferences and brainstorming sessions inspired by majestic views.
Meeting facilities include the 1,141-square-foot Marquesa Room, offering a wraparound balcony with a spectacular view of the gulf and Key West’s legendary sunsets for 28 to 110 guests. The 780-square-foot Tortuga Room offers a sunny rooftop terrace for 28 to 80 people, while the 448-square-foot Harbor Boardroom opens onto a gulfside balcony for an intimate 15- to 25-person capacity.
Also on site is the Jala Spa, with two tranquil spa treatment rooms, and the Hyatt Stay Fit gym. The heated outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool are surrounded by a spacious sun deck and three poolside cabanas.
Hyatt Key West recently was designated the first flagged resort in the Florida Keys to receive one-palm designation in the Green Lodging Program created by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The program recognizes environmentally conscientious hotels and resorts throughout the state.
Hyatt Key West has a variety of incentives for meeting planners and guests. For information, visit www.hyattkeywest.com.
Also in Key West, the Southernmost Hotel Collection recently expanded its event space to include a 640-square-foot poolside conference room at the Southernmost Hotel that is ideal for up to 50 attendees. The 2,488-square-foot landscaped poolside area can accommodate up to 75 guests while the beach can serve 150-plus under a tent with tantalizing sunrise views.
The Southernmost Hotel Collection offers free Internet access in the conference room and can accommodate virtually any high-tech needs for the small-business arena. Video conferencing capabilities are to be in place by March.
The Southernmost Hotel Collection encompasses the 127-room Southernmost Hotel, 1319 Duval St.; AAA Four Diamond oceanfront bed-and-breakfasts La Mer Hotel and Dewey House, 508 South St., with 19 elegantly appointed Victorian rooms; and 47-room oceanfront Southernmost on the Beach, 508 South St., currently undergoing a multimillion-dollar expansion to add 80 luxury oceanside rooms.
The hotel collection recently was designated the Florida Keys’ largest independently owned Green Lodging accommodation by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The designation signifies the properties’ commitment to protecting and conserving Florida’s natural resources.
Meeting planners can arrange on-site catering from the Southernmost Beach Café. Parking is free and meeting participants can enjoy some downtime on the property’s white sandy beach beside the Atlantic.
For more information, visit www.southernmostresorts.com.
Coconut Cove Resort & Marina is tucked away on the island of Windley Key at mile marker 85 in Islamorada. Ideal for small meetings and events, it’s a seven-acre paradise with a sprawling lawn, oceanfront beach and 24-foot waterfall plunging into a zero-entry pool with natural rock features.
Debuting as a private estate venue, Coconut Cove Resort & Marina offers accommodations in 20 units ranging from rustic 1950s-era cabins to marble and Jacuzzi suites built in 2003.
Events can be staged on the property’s beach, beachside covered dining area or tiki dance floor with aquarium paintings. Amenities include the services of a gourmet chef as well as water sports and a marina with world-class fishing guides for after-meeting relaxation.
The property often hosts film crews and groups for events such as elegant weddings and retreats.
For information, visit www.coconutcove.net.
At the northernmost end of the Florida Keys, at 35 Ocean Drive Key Largo, is the Ocean Reef Club, popular among national and international corporate meeting planners as an exclusive retreat perfect for meetings and incentive travel.
Boasting more than 30,000 square feet of flexible function space for 10 to 750 people, this exclusive, 2,000-acre private club community is the choice of discerning travelers from around the world. Two of its oceanfront lodging buildings, pools and beach underwent a $16.5 million renovation in 2006, with the third to follow suit in 2008.
Ocean Reef is known for its meeting expertise, Caribbean flair, unparalleled waters for yachting and diving, exceptional club service and wide array of activities. Meeting planners will find a full range of deluxe accommodations, 12 restaurants and lounges, and extensive catering services.
With an enthusiastic and energetic recreation staff on site, event guests can enjoy team-building games like a construct-a-craft regatta, treasure hunt on golf carts or an eco-challenge.
Recreational attractions include a full-service salon and spa, private beach, aqua rentals, tennis, croquet, a culinary arts school, food and wine pairing seminars and tastings, 36 holes of championship golf and fishing and yacht charters from a 175-slip marina.
A private 4,000-foot executive airstrip also is available.
For information, visit www.oceanreef.com.
From the top of the island chain to the southernmost point of the continental United States, the Florida Keys offer meeting planners luxury accommodations, a variety of new venues, first-class service and unrivaled recreation.
To learn more about the meeting facilities and features of the Florida Keys & Key West, visit www.fla-keys.com and click on the words “meeting planners” on the left-hand side of the page. Alternatively, contact Jack Meier, corporate and incentive sales manager for the Florida Keys Tourist Development Council, at grpsales@fla-keys.com.