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The new Beachside Resort & Conference Center |
Florida Keys and Key West Property Selection Increases
Things have been very busy in the Florida Keys and Key West for the last two years. The culmination of these efforts has resulted in new options for incentives, conferences and meetings in this area. The opening of a brand new luxury property, completion of massive resort renovations and a resort rebranding have broadened the choices in Florida Keys and Key West group options. Nearing completion are a 30,000-square-foot expansion to the Key West International Airport and a new highway extension and bridge, which will provide even more convenient drive access to the area.
Key West
Beachside Resort & Conference Center, Key West's newest luxury resort opened its doors in October 2007. Encompassing seven waterfront acres on the Gulf of Mexico, the resort features the island's largest ballroom at 9,650 square feet. Outdoor event settings include the ballroom terrace and private beach area with a marina, which makes it convenient for groups to set sail. Accommodations include 222 upscale guest rooms, of which, 129 are one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. Elegant amenities include plush bedding with Frette linens, L’Occitane toiletries, LG flat-panel TVs, and in some suites, spiral staircases leading to the beach.
Beachside's fine-dining restaurant, Tavern N Town is the creation of celebrity chef Norman Van Aken. For group and VIP dinners, there are an assortment of private dining rooms within the restaurant.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Key West's landmark Casa Marina Resort and Beach Club has completed a dramatic $43 million transformation of public areas and all 311 guest rooms and suites. Located on the island's largest private beach, the resort evokes the romantic elegance of the 1920s blended with contemporary styling and unique amenities such as an espresso maker in each guest room.
The newest addition to the Casa Marina Resort is the 3,080-square-foot Flagler's Ballroom, which features flooring created from environmentally friendly, reclaimed Florida pines. The ballroom opens to a spacious outdoor terrace and covered walkways along the oceanfront grand colonnade. Two more ballrooms and additional meeting rooms make up a total of 12,000 square feet of indoor function space.
Three outdoor terraces and spacious pool decks totaling 11,600 square feet overlook the Florida Straits and the Atlantic Ocean. The Water Walk offers 
Southernmost Resort set for an oceanside event |
another 5,000 square feet of open-air space.
A different version of the Key West experience is found at the Southernmost point of the U.S., literally. The Southernmost Hotel Collection offers an oceanfront blend of boutique group properties. The 127-room Southernmost Hotel, the 48-room Southernmost on the Beach, the AAA Four Diamond La Mer Inn and the charming Dewey House Bed and Breakfast are located within the grounds of this complex overlooking a private beach. The collection offers smaller groups a choice of well-appointed accommodations within the hotel and upgraded privacy for VIPs in La Mer or the Dewey House.
The Southernmost's state-of-the-art meeting space totals 640 square feet and opens to a private poolside area for receptions, lunches or breakouts. Groups can step "out of the box" with creative spaces throughout the property, oceanfront outdoor venues and a private pier.
An additional 80 rooms will be added to the Southernmost Hotel Collection by early 2009.
Florida Keys
Hawks Cay Resort, located on its own private island of Duck Key, completed a $35 million makeover in February 2008. Within the 60-acre destination resort, there are many options for meetings, conference or incentive groups. A private marina, deep-sea fishing, water sports, a salt water lagoon and the 7,000-square-foot Calm Waters Spa provide team building and recreation opportunities - "Keys Style." Oceanfront indoor meeting space totals 25,000 square feet including the 5,554-square-foot Grand Ballroom that features a waterfront pre-function area.
"The Cay's" 177 guest rooms and 295 suites and villas have been completely renovated and refurbished with an upscale West Indies style.
The Hilton Key Largo Beach Resort, formerly the Key Largo Grande Resort & Beach Club, is flying a new flag and shining from a $12 million renovation. The Hilton is located on 12.5 acres of hardwood forest along the Gulf of Mexico and the southern boundaries of Everglades National Park. With 10,000 square feet of meeting space and 200 guest rooms and suites as well as a 21-slip marina, groups can experience the unique nature of the Florida Keys through ecological adventures, world-class diving and fishing, hiking or mingling on a private beach watching a spectacular sunset.
Learn more about the Florida Keys and Key West
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