Dive Brief:
- Hilton has opened a marina-front property in Key West, its first in the Florida island city, “designed to reflect the spirit of island living,” according to a news release.
- The 175-key Hilton Key West Resort & Marina was formerly Ocean’s Edge Resort & Marina before it was converted into a Hilton-branded property, per a June release. The hotel features a fully equipped fitness center; six saltwater pools; flexible indoor and outdoor event space; recreational programming including paddleboarding, kayaking and yoga; and “island-inspired” dining, per the release.
- The resort’s focus on recreation and outdoor activities comes as travelers increasingly seek and prioritize unique experiences this summer, per new research from Priceline, and hotels are tapping into experiential offerings to capture demand. “As travel demand to coastal and resort destinations remains strong, we are focused on expanding in places where guests want to be,” Danny Hughes, Hilton’s president of the Americas, said in a statement.
Dive Insight:
Located on Stock Island at the eastern edge of Key West, the hotel sits on 20 waterfront acres and “pairs relaxed coastal design with destination-driven experiences,” per Hilton.
Moreover, the resort marks Hilton’s 12th property in the Florida Keys, “reinforcing growth in a high-demand leisure market.”
Guest rooms feature private furnished balconies that offer views of the Atlantic Ocean. The property also has two dining concepts, including Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen and Ocean’s Edge Cafe.
Hilton Key West Resort & Marina offers direct marina access to fishing, boating and experiences “that define the Florida Keys,” as well as lawn games and movie nights, per Hilton.
As part of its launch, the Hilton Key West Resort & Marina is undergoing renovations, including refreshed guest rooms with new flooring and furnishings; improved resort amenities; and the addition of a new event space.
The property is owned by Sunstone Hotel Investors, which recently agreed to sell the Hyatt Regency San Francisco for $279 million.
Hilton Key West Resort & Marina launches as consumers are becoming more interested in experiences that deliver a “strong emotional return,” Christina Bennett, consumer travel trends expert at Priceline, previously told Hotel Dive.
Some hotel companies are capitalizing on this trend by offering more experiences through partnerships and improved loyalty program offerings, especially as guests increasingly favor flexibility and value
