GOING UPSCALE AND GOING UP SOON:
NEW HOTEL DEVELOPMENTS IN GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Luxury has arrived in Greater Fort Lauderdale. With chic, upscale hotels such as the new W Fort Lauderdale, The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale and the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, this refreshingly year-round vacation spot boasts an elegant style and carefree personality. Lauderdale Luxe is what Fort Lauderdale's beachfront is commonly referred to these days with new properties adding casual sophistication and elegance. New hotels now open include:

• Greater Fort Lauderdale has laid claim to a luxurious first: Florida's first W Hotel and the first of the brand to be located beachfront. The $205 million W Fort Lauderdale - a member of Starwood Hotels & Resorts' prestigious Luxury Collection - opened its doors on April 30, 2009. The 486-room hotel brings a hip and trendy vibe to Fort Lauderdale beach. This newest ‘it'-spot, is located on a 4.5-acre site offering dramatic views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. Amenities include W Hotel's Whatever/Whenever services, a signature Stephen Starr gourmet restaurant-Steak 954, an inviting Living Room lobby, Whiskey Blue bar, a state-of-the-art SWEAT^® fitness center, the renowned Bliss^® Spa, 24-hour concierge and room service, W signature pillow menu, and a one-of-a-kind oceanfront infinity-edge pool. In addition, the W Fort Lauderdale boasts more than 19,000 square feet of meeting space including Sensory® Set Up. Call (954) 462-1633 or explore www.whotels.com/fortlauderdale for more information.
  
  
• As of August 11, 2008, The Ritz-Carlton assumed management of the St. Regis, Fort Lauderdale. Located on Fort Lauderdale beach, the recently built, $240 million luxury resort features 166 elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites with ocean and Intracoastal Waterway views. Other amenities of The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale include Cero, a stylish gourmet restaurant, a fully-stocked wine room with more than 1,000 different bottles from around the world, and an intimate lounge. A well-appointed 24,000-square-foot meeting space, including a lavish ballroom with white leather accents and a 29,000 square-foot tropical pool deck round-out the functional spaces. The Spa offers massage therapy, aromatherapy, and facial & body treatments, all available in 10 spacious and relaxing treatment rooms, as well as a modern fitness center. For more information call (954) 465-2300 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/fortlauderdale.
  
  
• The 589-room Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, formerly the Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club, completed a comprehensive $70 million transformation to a vibrant and sophisticated coastal retreat. The revitalization of the property consisted of a complete redesign of the hotel's public spaces, including a new lobby, modernized guestrooms and suites, refurbished swimming pool and tropical deck area, as well as enhancements to the 21,000 square feet of existing meeting and event facilities. The hotel's new signature restaurant, the world-famous Jeffrey Chodorow's celebrated China Grill, offers innovative Asian-inspired cuisine served against the backdrop of the Intracoastal Waterway. Additional new dining options include The G - a stylish lunchtime spot overlooking the hotel's 33-slip inlet marina, and Antea located in the hotel's swanky waterfront lobby serving light fare. Guests enjoy preferred access to Spa 66 at neighboring sister property Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six and complimentary shuttle service to nearby Fort Lauderdale beach. For more information visit http://www.fortlauderdalemarina.hilton.com/.
  
  
• Il Lugano at the Intracoastal in Fort Lauderdale, an $80 million project, stands 14-stories high and is located adjacent to Galt Ocean Mile. Named after a luxurious lake resort area on the border of Switzerland and Italy, the hotel's design features 105 studio and one-bedroom suites with oversized balconies and gourmet kitchens, a lush pool area overlooking the Intracoastal, fitness center, business center, deep water boat slips, in-room washer and dryers, iPod docking stations, and complimentary high-speed internet. Newly opened, the upscale, full-service, waterfront restaurant and lounge, da Campo Osteria by famed chef and restaurateur, Todd English. Il Concierge, 24-room service, as well as complimentary airport and local transfers, round out the properties superlative services. The hotel began welcoming guests in January 2008. For more information call, (954) 567-4484 or visit http://www.illugano.com/.
  
  
• The Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach, which opened October 2007, is an upscale condo hotel boasting 311 well-appointed guestrooms overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway with flat screen TVs and Crowne Plaza's "Sleep Advantage" program with seven sleep amenities for a better nights rest. Highlights include large walk-out balconies in all guestrooms, landscaped infinity pool, 140-seat elements Bistro featuring a contemporary feel with indoor and outdoor seating, tiki bar, marina, 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. For more information call 1-800-227-6963 or visit www.crowneplaza.com/hollywoodbeach.
  
  
• The 25-story Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort offers a spirit of elegance that is personalized for each guest. The beachfront resort features 373-well appointed studios and suites; 25,000 square feet Sunrise Terrace with a zero-entry pool and cabanas; beach concierge; grocery concierge; spa treatments; children's concierge and programs; ilios, a newly renovated casual dining restaurant serving a new tapas menu; the soon to open Aquaknox; a gourmet bistro; golf at Parkland Golf & Country Club; and 10,000 square feet of meeting space. For information call (954) 760-7177 or visit http://www.fortlauderdalebeachresort.hilton.com/.

COMING SOON:

• The Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale has re-opened after completing the first phase of a multi-million dollar extensive rebirth. The resort's 433 spacious guestrooms and suites have been designed to restore mind and body in a prime oceanfront setting. The new resort provides more than 32,000 square feet of flexible event space, including a 10,192-square-foot ballroom for groups of up to 1,053 people, a second ballroom slightly smaller at 8,376 square feet accommodating 842 people, and the Sunrise Terrace with more than 5,500 square feet of space and inspiring Atlantic views. Also new, an 8,100-square-foot Heavenly Spa by Westin^TM which will open in August and a Starbucks bistro. The signature restaurant, Shula's on the Beach also received a new updated look. The resort's final phase of renovations will be completed by December 2009. Visit www.westin.com/fortlauderdalebeach or call (888) 627-7108.

RECENTLY COMPLETED MAKEOVERS (chronologically):

• LXR Luxury Resorts' 384-room Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Resort & Spa, has unveiled
  a $30 million renovation to the 22-acre retreat. Enhancements include a complete redesign of the deluxe lanai rooms with retro-modern appointments; a transformation of the lobby with a sleek, new bar; refurbishments to the resort's Tower guestrooms and suites provide a fresh, casually sophisticated feel; upgrades to the three-pool waterfall oasis and lanai courtyard including the addition of cabanas and lush landscaping. The resort's 25,000 square feet of meeting space has been improved including the famed Pier Top, known for its panoramic views, receiving a redesign into a special occasion venue in 2006. Each of the resort's five dining outlets features revamped menus and new designs. For more information visit www.pier66.com or call 800-55-HYATT.
  
  
• The 261-room Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach, nestled between beautiful Blue Wave beaches and the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway, re-opened its doors October 2007, after receiving a multi-million dollar makeover. The new hotel, which was completely reconstructed from its former existence as the DoubleTree Oceanfront, features a vibrant beach theme. Amenities include 88 parlor suites with king-size beds, plush linens, mini-refrigerators, 32-inch LCD flat-panel televisions with a free premium movie channel, fine furnishings and deluxe spa products. Other amenities include Bluewater Restaurant & Bar, a full-service restaurant; outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi overlooking the Atlantic; pool bar with cabana service and nearly 1,400 square feet of functional meeting space, fitness and business centers. For reservations, call 954-524-8733 or visit www.Marriott.com/FLLCO.
  
  
• Hyatt Place, formerly Amerisuites, now features spacious guestrooms, signature Hyatt Grand Beds, and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. The standard lobby was replaced with a free-flowing Gallery, featuring a specialty coffee and wine bar, as well as comfy furniture and flat screen TVs.  The 24-hour Guest Kitchen and Gallery Café offers daily complimentary continental breakfast, as well as other menu items that can easily be charged to a guest's room via a cashless food center kiosk. For more information visit www.hyattplace.com/ or call (954) 763-7670.
  
  
• Situated on the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale, Gallery One Fort Lauderdale, managed by Hilton Hotels Corporation as a Doubletree hotel, completed a two-year, $25 million renovation project, which has transformed the property into a full-service boutique hotel. Updates include a new "gallery" design theme showcasing a unique collection of artwork and modern furniture in the lobby. The 231-suite resort residences, one and two-bedroom suites, feature modern kitchens, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and plasma TVs. Resort amenities now consist of a tropically landscaped terrace, water taxi service from the hotel's dock, fitness center, business center, executive meeting and event facilities, access to a private cruising yacht, and restaurant and lounge with outdoor entertainment area. For reservations call (954) 565-3800 or visit www.galleryone.doubletree.com.

• The new Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa in Weston (formerly the Bonaventure Resort & Conference Center) completed a $100 million renovation. The refurbished hotel features 501 spacious, modern guestrooms, four swimming pools, multiple dining options and a state of the art conference center spanning 100,000 square feet of meeting space. Additionally, the first and only destination Red Door Lifestyle Spa, Elizabeth Arden, provides guests with an unmatched spa experience. The resort has gone "green" receiving the first certification in Broward County from Florida Green Lodging. For reservations call 1-800-233-1234, or visit www.bonaventure.hyatt.com.

For more information on Greater Fort Lauderdale contact the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, 100 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, visit www.sunny.org or call 800-22-SUNNY (in the U.S. and Canada). Travel professionals and meeting planners call 800-356-1662.

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07/2009