July 2008 | Insider's Guide | By D. Fran Morley
Miami
Sizzling & Tropical, This Is A City Of 'Cool' Sites
By D. Fran Morley Miami creates its own "buzz" and provides everything that planners need for successful events, said Lyan Tassler, associate vice president of convention services for the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). "People are always curious to see what Miami is all about. It's a destination that has it all; built-in entertainment, natural beauty with world-famous beaches and inland waterways, and a cosmopolitan lifestyle—all in a lush, tropical setting."
What surprises planners and visitors, Tassler said, is the variety of lodging product and entertainment opportunities in the Greater Miami area. "We have all the big names (hotel brands), but we also have the largest collection of boutique hotels in the country. We have many well-known restaurants but also wonderful local restaurants within walking distance of the convention center and the downtown hotels. Miami offers a unique experience."
Danielle Foster, a meeting planner with Vifor Pharma, a global pharmaceutical company with U.S. offices in Boston, said Miami is ideal, especially when attendees come from all over the world. "We try to pick an international hub where there is a lot to do within walking distance."
Earlier this year, the company held two back-to-back meetings at the Conrad Miami, which has more than 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space. "Everyone at the Conrad, from the concierge to the business center staff, was very professional and attentive to our needs," Foster said.
Melody Wendt, marketing and communications manager for the 203-room Conrad Miami, said the hotel's renovated dining and entertainment floor is popular with planners. "It includes Atrio, a fine-dining restaurant, and The Bar and The Room, a private event space offering a contemporary setting and a panoramic view of Biscayne Bay."
According to Tassler, 95 percent of Miami's visitors arrive at Miami International Airport, which just unveiled the new South Terminal, the second phase of a multi-phase project. "Within the next couple of years, we expect to open the new Miami Intermodel Facility that will be connected to the airport by tram, will house all the rental car facilities, and will serve as a connection point for Amtrak, Tri-Rail (commuter rail that runs from Miami's Dade County to points north), and eventually to our Miami Metro Rail system."
And, Barry Moskowitz, associate vice president of convention sales for the CVB, recently announced news that local officials have "approved a new location for Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins in downtown Miami. Plans call for finishing the stadium in 2011."
Moskowitz also noted that the area's hotel product "continues to expand, enhance and transform." Some of the projects he mentioned include the new Viceroy Miami and Viceroy South Beach hotels, which are set to open in 2009; the Epic Miami Hotel, a boutique property opening downtown in 2009; the Miami Met Marquis, a JW Marriott product set to open in 2010; a W hotel planned for South Beach in 2010; a Shangri-La Hotel on Watson Island set to open in 2010; the recently opened Regent Bal Harbour; and the Hotel Gansevoort, which opened in South Beach in March.
Miami Beach & Surrounding Beaches
Moskowitz also noted that two classic Miami Beach hotels are making a comeback this fall, Eden Roc, a Renaissance Beach Resort and Spa, which is reopening after a $180 million transformation (see page 66 for more information), and the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
After a $1 billion makeover set to be completed this year, the 1,504-room Fontainebleau Miami Beach will feature 200,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, 11 restaurants and lounges, a 40,000-square-foot spa and a "dramatic oceanfront poolscape featuring a free-form pool shaped as a re-interpretation of original architect Morris Lapidus' signature bow-tie design," said Matt Levinson, a hotel spokesman.
An expansion and enhancement of the Miami Beach Convention Center is in the works, Moskowitz added, explaining that officials are "looking at adding a 50,000-square-foot ballroom. Next door," he added, "a multimillion-dollar renovation is happening at The Fillmore Miami Beach at The Jackie Gleason Theater."
At the 790-room Loews Miami Beach, planners will appreciate the upgraded suites and guest rooms, with pillow-top mattresses, 32-inch flat-screen TVs and more, said Sarah Murov, director of public relations. The hotel's 65,000 square feet of event space includes a ballroom with a floor-to-ceiling windowed wall overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Shelborne Beach Resort is in the process of upgrading the hotel by installing wireless Internet access in all guest rooms and adding luxury bedding by the end of summer, said Dennis Wheeler, director of marketing. "The resort has a very unique package of options and is especially ideal for small conventions."
Miami Beach Resort and Spa offers 424 guest rooms and 40,000 square feet of meeting space, according to Steve Silverman, area director of sales for the South Florida Collection of Luxury Resorts and Hotels. "The property is in the process of getting their green certification by the state."
Key Info · Sales Tax: 7 percent
· Hotel Tax: 6 percent
· Food & Beverage Tax: 2 percent (collected throughout Miami/Dade County with the exception of facilities in the cities of Surfside, Bal Harbour and Miami Beach)
· Transportation: Taxi rates are $2.50 for the first one-sixth mile and 40 cents for each additional one-sixth mile. |
Marco Polo Beach Resort offers 20,000 square feet of meeting space and 250 guest rooms, said Patrick Boulanger, director of tour and travel, adding that the hotel's "ballroom can hold up to 600, theater style, and up to 300, classroom style."
The Alexander Resort has completed a $10 million restoration, said spokesperson Alejandra Serna. "The Alexander offers 125 uniquely decorated, all-suite accommodations, more than 12,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, and a Shula's Steak House."
Timur Senturk was recently named general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach and will lead all aspects of the 375-room hotel, which offers more than 20,000 square feet of meeting and conference facilities, according to hotel officials.
The Shore Club offers 309 guest rooms plus bungalows, a penthouse and a private oceanfront Beach House along with 10,000 square feet of event space. "Our gallery space opened last summer and is the only conference space on the beach with direct views of the ocean, plus state-of-the-art audio/visual and telecommunication capabilities," said Lillian Rojas, director of catering and conference services.
On the island of Key Biscayne, The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne is a Five-Diamond resort. It offers 402 guest rooms, a 20,000-square-foot spa, 11 tennis courts, and more than 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
Downtown Miami
While most visitors are familiar with Miami Beach and South Beach's Art Deco district, downtown Miami is getting increased attention, Tassler said. "Around the newly renamed Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts (formerly Carnival Center), there are new shops, restaurants and hotels that are all accessible by Metro Mover, our light rail system. This second wave of development gives our visitors the opportunity to be close to the water but on the bay side."
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts entertains guests in the Ziff Ballet Opera House and the Knight Concert Hall, which seat 2,400 and 2,200 people, respectively. Banquet space includes the Orchestra Level of the Concert Hall with seating for 850.
The Biscayne Bay Marriott Hotel and Marina is just one of the hotels creating a "buzz" downtown. It wraps up a $17 million guest room renovation this fall that showcases the colors and landmarks of Miami, said Britton Cordill, senior marketing and eCommerce manager. The 603-room hotel has 16,000 square feet of event space.
Previously operated as the Miami Biscayne Bay Hotel, the re-flagged Hilton Miami Downtown has 527 newly renovated guest rooms and 43,000 square feet of event space. "This centrally located hotel offers guests easy access to the best of Miami, from beaches to business," said Jeff Diskin, senior vice president of brand management for Hilton Hotels and Resorts.
Connected to the Miami Convention Center, the 612-room Hyatt Regency Miami completed a $20 million renovation in early 2008, according to Kim HoSang, a hotel spokeswoman. The center's space includes the 2,000-seat Regency Ballroom, the 28,000-square-foot Riverfront Exhibit Hall, a 117-seat tiered lecture hall and the 444-seat Arthur Ashe Auditorium. "We're centrally located in the business district within walking distance of the new Mary Brickell Village, a 195,000-square-foot retail and entertainment complex," HoSang said.
Connected to the hotel and convention center is the James L. Knight International Center, which has a 5,000-seat concert theater, according to Roxana Este, director of sales and marketing.
Airport Area/Doral
Marriott Lodging at Miami International Airport is set to offer groups three Marriott-branded hotels when the project is complete in 2009, according to Jose Joaquin Cruz, director of sales and marketing. Currently under renovation is the 366-room Marriott Miami Airport with 12,500 square feet of meeting space. "In mid-July, major renovations will happen at the hotel, including upgrades to the lobby, the restaurant, the meeting space and the guest rooms," Cruz said. "A new tower at the Courtyard by Marriott is also under way. It will soon bring the total guest rooms to 300. Also, construction is under way for a 170-room Residence Inn—both hotels are set to open in mid-2009."
At the newly renovated Crowne Plaza Miami International Airport, meeting planners can call Marianela Ovalle-Eichler, the director of sales and marketing, by her nickname, Nelly. She said, "When you hold an event at this hotel, all the attention is on you." The property offers 5,000 square feet of meeting space and 304 guest rooms.
The Embassy Suites Miami International Airport has 318 guest rooms and 12,204 square feet of meeting and event space. "We recently completed a renovation of all accommodations, the business center and the fitness center. We offer complimentary cooked-to-order breakfasts, nightly manager's receptions and round-trip airport transfers," said Barbara Raza, director of sales.
InterContinental West Miami provides 265 guest rooms and 10,000 square feet of meeting space, said Alex Garcia, director of marketing. "The hotel is adding a sushi bar by the pool that will open by the end of the year. Additional enhancements to the French Bistro restaurant are expected by October."
The 693-room Doral Golf Resort and Spa, a Marriott Resort, has 110,000 square feet of event space surrounded by five golf courses, said Christopher Bielski, director of sales and marketing. "In 2007, we added the Legends Ballroom facility that includes a 24,000-square-foot ballroom, 12,000 square feet of indoor prefunction space, 15,000 square feet of outdoor space, a dedicated kitchen, a registration area and a meeting planner office. We also added the European-styled Spa at Doral with 52 treatment rooms." Bielski said that $50 million has been invested into the resort since it was branded a Marriott four years ago and hotel owners are "looking at a plan over the next three years to invest $100 million."
The Blue Golf Resort in Doral offers 240 oversized suites with contemporary appointments, said Caroline Appel, director of sales and marketing. "The suites have full kitchens and private verandas, and all furnishings are custom designed in house and built mostly in Italy and Canada." The resort has 1,000 square feet of event space and a new poolside bar; a new clubhouse opens this fall.
South Miami/Dade County
In Coconut Grove, just south of downtown, groups will find The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove, a Five-Diamond property, with 115 guest rooms and 13,000 square feet of event space, including a 3,200-square-foot garden courtyard.
Set on its own 20-acre private island, Grove Island Hotel and Spa in Coconut Grove offers 49 guest rooms and 8,000 square feet of event space.
Coral Gables was established in the 1920s as one of the nation's first planned communities. The 275-room Biltmore Hotel, a Four-Diamond resort, offers 76,000 square feet of meeting space in the main hotel building as well as the adjacent Conference Center of the Americas.
North Miami/Dade County
Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, just north of Miami, offers an affordable alternative for meetings and events and is dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for every occasion, said Barry Harris, director of sales and marketing. Recently renovated facilities offer nearly 15,000 square feet of event space, including the 350-seat Atlantis Ballroom.
The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort and Club in Aventura has completed a $100 million transformation, said Rachel Pinzur, director of public relations. Included in the renovations are the resort's 392 guest rooms and 40,000 square feet of meeting space. "The resort features the 4,000-square-foot, Mediterranean-styled Magnolia Courtyard, which accommodates up to 300 guests and overlooks the golf course's signature 18th hole, the Island Green, and a 64-foot waterfall."
