hyatt-unbound-collectionThe Driskill Hotel, Austin, Texas

Hyatt Hotels has announced the launch of its newest line of independent hotels. The Unbound Collection by Hyatt will include global properties in the upper-upscale and luxury tier, with each hotel maintaining a distinct aesthetic that reflects its location.

The collection is made up of existing boutique hotels and resorts, and also involves plans for additional Hyatt properties. Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO of Hyatt Hotels, says that hotels under the independent portfolio will maintain their individual brand identities while offering Hyatt’s customer service, signature loyalty program and operations management.

“We are committed to creating a portfolio that works for owners and provides them with flexibility, agility and support, all while accentuating the best of each property and the experiences that make each truly extraordinary,” he says.

The Unbound Collection by HyattHotel du Louvre, Paris

So far, four hotels have been confirmed for The Unbound Collection. Hotel du Louvre in Paris is an iconic 19th century luxury five-star landmark located within walking distance of well-known attractions, including the Louvre Museum and le Jardin des Tuileries. The 177-room hotel is filled with contemporary décor and antique accents and has eight meeting rooms for up to 150 people.

The Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas, is a historic gem and legendary landmark built in 1886. Recognized by the Historic Hotels of America, the property has hosted politicians such as former President Lyndon B. Johnson. The AAA Four Diamond hotel has 189 guest rooms and 18,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

The Unbound Collection by HyattCarmelo Resort & Spa, Carmelo, Uruguay

Situated on the banks of the Rio de la Plata, Carmelo Resort & Spa in Carmelo, Uruguay, offers golf and wine activities with its proximity to Bodega Familia Irutia winery and Carmelo Golf. The resort is built for relaxation with its spa and fitness center amenities, such as cardiovascular machines, dry sauna, indoor heated pool and yoga relaxation therapies. It offers 20 rustic bungalows and 24 bi-level suites, plus a 1,141-square-foot boardroom and additional conference space for up to 150 people.

After extensive renovations, Coco Palms Resort in Kauai, Hawaii, will be restored to life in spring 2018. The hotel was shuttered in 1992 after being struck by Hurricane Iniki. It previously hosted many celebrity guests and was the setting for Elvis Presley’s film Blue Hawaii.

Hoplamazian notes that The Unbound Collection offers Hyatt the opportunity to add more historic properties, exclusive locations, famous architecture and design, as well as award-winning dining experiences to its future portfolio.

“The Unbound Collection by Hyatt provides us with a myriad of opportunities to grow, not only in new markets, but also in places we know our guests want to go. The collection of properties will allow us to reach the modern traveler who seeks one-of-a-kind experiences, but also wants the reassurance and loyalty program that comes with our brand,” Hoplamazian says.

hospitality-careers

The hospitality industry needs to change its image to recruit more qualified, passionate people, according to one of the leading educators in the field.

Gray Shealy, executive director of the Master’s in Hospitality Management Degree program at Georgetown University, wrote in a Skift blog that one of the main problems is the stigma associated with the word, “hospitality.”

Shealy makes six main points, which are condensed below.

Hospitality isn’t tourism, and it’s not servile:  Tourism refers to the operations, theory and practice of traveling, whereas hospitality pertains to the close, welcoming relationship that a host extends to a guest. While this distinction is sometimes blurred, a greater problem is the association of hospitality with servitude, because this discourages potentially outstanding employees to pursue a career in a seemingly more respectable field.

The hospitality industry has cultural stigmas: Some cultures regard working for a hotel or restaurant as inferior, whereas actually it can be glamorous, prosperous and enriching.

Hospitality has a huge marketing problem: Employment opportunities in the industry aren’t being presented in the best possible ways. As a result, jobs are often thought of servile, in the sense that the host is beneath the guest. The passion, pride and talent required to work in the industry needs to be better promoted.

Hospitality is respect for others: Prospective employees don’t always realize the substantial efforts upon which the industry is founded. It’s commonly assumed that excellent service simply means being friendly and accommodating. But actually, the organization and training of employees is very detailed, and emphasizes the importance of a multitude of things, such as knowing guests’ names, looking into their eyes while conversing and leaving thoughtful notes for them.

Careers in hospitality are secretly dynamic and captivating: Many travelers see only the frontline staffs working at reception desks, and servers in restaurants. But actually, a vast array of management jobs is available, as well as a wide diversity of other positions in areas such as real estate, IT, marketing and branding.

Hospitality employees must be passionate, educated, respected and inspired: Young job-hunters are looking for jobs that make a positive difference. The hospitality industry provides opportunities for them to become more humble, open-minded, worldly and savvy. It also establishes a motivation to take care of others.

Shealy concludes his blog by emphasizing that the industry needs to return to its core values to attract new employees.

“The hospitality industry needs to go back to its roots to attract a passionate next generation of employees and show them what it really means to be hosts and purveyors of honorous human relationships,” he wrote.

HRP---The-White-Tower hotel price trendsThe White Tower, London

The stable U.S. economy continues to positively impact all aspects of the travel industry as evident by The Hotels.com 2015 Hotel Price Index that was released Thursday. The report notes that U.S. travelers were willing to spend a little more on hotel rooms, while taking advantage of the strong U.S. dollar for great values abroad.

London’s status as the No. 1 international destination for Americans reflects several trends noted in the report. While other international destinations experienced significant decreases in hotel prices, and thus providing great deals for U.S. travelers, London’s average hotel rate of $257 is higher than New York City’s, suggesting that Americans have the resources to travel regardless of cost.

Throughout most of Europe, major price decreases were experienced. Vienna, for example, had a dramatic 26 percent drop from 2014, with an average hotel price of $123. Other international destinations where U.S. travelers are finding great deals include Toronto, Montreal, Bangkok and Brazil.

The Hotel Price Index notes that Las Vegas is the most popular destination for U.S. travelers. Las Vegas’ average hotel price rose 6 percent to $122, the lowest average among top U.S. destinations except Orlando.

It’s no surprise that the top U.S. destinations according to the Hotel Price Index are also the top meeting destinations. The report shines a bright light on where meeting planners and attendees can get the best deals.

Orlando’s average hotel price of $111 certainly has helped it maintain its status as a top meeting destination. Las Vegas, Houston and San Antonio also stand out as domestic destinations that prove cost effective for meeting planners and attendees.

New York City is in the same league with London for average hotel price at $254. San Francisco is the second-most expensive U.S. destination with an average hotel price of $221.

Top 10 Domestic Destinations for U.S. Travelers,
According to The Hotels.com 2015 Hotel Price Index:
2015 Popularity Rank City 2015 Hotel Room Price Average % Change in Hotel Room Price
1 Las Vegas $122 6%
2 New York City $254 -4%
3 Orlando $111 7%
4 San Diego $147 3%
5 Los Angeles $175 8%
6 Chicago $172 5%
7 San Francisco $221 2%
8 Washington $162 2%
9 Houston $123 -3%
10 San Antonio $124 0%

Sawgrass

From Florida to Hawaii, meeting and incentive properties are re-inventing themselves with dramatic resort renovations sure to impress. Here are a few updated properties that have caught our attention.

Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa

This Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, golf destination is undergoing a $25 million refresh that began last year. The resort renovations include upgrades of two pools and an event lawn. This month, Sawgrass will complete the renovation of The American Gator Club, formerly the 100th Hole. The restaurant offers views of the TPC Sawgrass’ legendary golf course, The Stadium Course.

The spa facelift and oceanfront Cabana Club updates will debut in the summer. By September, the resort expects to complete the makeover of guest rooms and a new wing with an additional 31 rooms.

Once the resort renovations are complete, the property will feature 511 guest rooms and suites, and 61,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Meeting venues an exhibition area and ballroom that can hold up to 2,500.

Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort

Hacienda

This historic abode in Tucson, Arizona, has wrapped up a multimillion-dollar renovation, adding 32 guest rooms to boost its total to 59. The new rooms are identified as the Catalina rooms because of their stunning views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. There’s a south-of-the-border feel thanks to Talavera tile and custom-made wood furniture handcrafted in Mexico.

The resort renovations created new event space and enhanced existing venues. Options include the new pool area where sunset views will mesmerize guests. There’s a ballroom that can hold up to 260.

Turtle Bay Resort

meeting & incentive properties

The luxury property located on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, has completed a $50 million renovation, with upgrades to its 410 oceanfront guest rooms. The project also included the expansion of the spa and fitness center and the completion of 42 luxury beach cottages, which come with their own dedicated concierge. Turtle Bay Resort is partnering with famed chef Roy Yamaguchi to open a new on-property restaurant, Roy’s Beach House, where guests can literally dine with their feet in the sand.

There’s lots to do at this resort, from surfing to golf to bike riding through Turtle Bay’s new North Shore Bike Park. Or guests can take advantage of the upscale beach experience that features luxury day beds, cabanas and beach service kiosks.

ponte-vedra-resorts

Making a long-lasting impression is about delivering unique experiences, and with so many hotels and resorts attempting to make names for themselves, it’s not an easy promise to deliver on.

At Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and Ponte Vedra Lodge & Club, unique experiences start when you walk in the door, and they’re carried throughout the meals, spa services, activities, and amenities.

Take this first impression, for instance, from a recent fam trip to the resort. You’ve heard of fresh-baked cookies upon checking in, but how about personalized cookies? These edible icons were served alongside “cereal milk,” a creation thought up by a chef who wanted to recreate the taste of the milk that’s left in your bowl after the cereal is gone. The result was delicious.

ponte-welcome

The Mediterranean-style AAA Four-Diamond rated resort was all about unique experiences that made an impact.

Endless Beachfront Views

How often do you arrive at your meeting destination and find yourself in a boardroom that could literally be anywhere? No windows, no décor that reflects the region, and predictable menus with no local flair. It makes you wonder why you left the office at all.

terracea
Terrace A offers bright, airy meeting space overlooking the property

Of the 21 function and meeting rooms at the Inn and at the Lodge, 20 of them have windows, and many of those are ocean-facing. The conference center, which will undergo a $2.5 million renovation in August, boasts a 6,200 sq. ft. grand ballroom and a 3,000 sq. ft. brick terrace.

ponte-ballroom
The grand ballroom at the conference center

Several of the meeting spaces are also circular, so that attendees find themselves not only taking in the views of the ocean, but also have a full view of everyone in the room. More and more professionals distance themselves from the traditional boardroom tables and theater-style seating, and these kinds of rooms allow for unique set-ups that inspire teamwork and participation.

trellisThe Trellis at the Lodge serves as a great outdoor function space

The Lodge & Club runs closely along the Atlantic Ocean, providing not just oceanfront views in every one of their 66 upscale rooms and suites, but each is literally only steps away from the white sand beach and crashing waves.

The Inn & Club also boasts 200 oceanfront rooms out of its total 240.

Many of the smaller function spaces offered at the Lodge offer nearly 180 degrees of floor to ceiling windows, showcasing beachfront as far as the eye can see in either direction, as well as the pools and patios directly below.

DINING-ROOMThe Lodge Dining Room

Even the 20,000-sq. ft. of fitness space is ocean facing—indoor and out, so you always know just how close to the Atlantic you are throughout your stay. The 8,000 sq. ft. gym boasts 75 exercise stations and a huge and diverse class schedule.

Seasonal Food & Drink

The chefs at both the Lodge and Inn are strong supporters of fresh, farm-to-table dining, offering many delicious seafood selections that can be found in season right on the Florida coast. Menu options included fresh Florida snapper, lobster tail, lamb chop with an eggplant confit, Florida tuna tartar, and a local seasonal favorite: chia-crusted Atlantic golden tile, a hearty white fish served with Lil Moo cheese—a dense, delectable farmstead cheese made at Sweet Grass Dairy Farms in nearby Georgia.

They also boast 100-mile cocktails, drinks with ingredients that have come from within 100 miles of the resort.

Not Just Any Spa

grottoSpa pool with therapy grottos

Most spas are situated within a resort, but the ownership at Ponte Vedra made a point to keep their spa freestanding and ever-sprawling. In fact, it has moved three times since the resort’s opening, to accommodate every kind of service as the spa and health movement grew. Today, it sits as a single-story 30,000 sq. ft. structure overlooking the golf course, and offers more than 100 services, 22 treatment rooms, private spa suites for couples, and a beautiful heated outdoor pool with therapy grottos.

Perhaps the biggest standout of the spa is their café—a full menu of delicious, healthy fare to enjoy before or after a treatment.

The Privacy of a Club

Ponte Vedra resorts offer private club memberships for the use of their two golf courses, spa,  locker rooms, heated pools, and many other amenities, with limited venues open to the public, giving the entire property a peaceful, exclusive vibe and a warm community feel.

Catering to Every Traveler

lodge-room-photoThe deluxe suite at the Lodge & Club overlooking the Atlantic Ocean

The Lodge & Club offers 66 rooms including 24 suites, 8 preferred rooms, and 34 deluxe rooms, all boasting oceanfront patios or balconies. Many of the rooms also include double vanities in the bathrooms, deep soaker tubs, reading nooks, and cozy electric fire places. In other words, the resort screams couples getaway, making it a wonderful incentive travel destination.

inn-guestroomOne of the spacious guest suites at the Inn & Club

The Inn & Club also offers 250 oversized guestrooms and suites, each with a private terrace or patio. The resort ensures that repeat guests receive a unique experience with every stay by offering a diverse range of room types. Every ‘house’ of guest suites is uniquely decorated.

golfcourse-ponteThe Putting Green at the Lagoon Golf Course

There’s more than 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting and banquet space at the Inn & Club, a business center, and lots to do after the meetings are over. Two 18-hole championship golf courses, 15 Har-Tru tennis courts and four decadent restaurants for starters.

waterslideThe family pool features a water slide

The Inn & Club offers both family and adults-only pools, babysitting services, and many activities that make it a family-friendly destination, including a playground, nursery, biking, sailing, deep sea fishing, plus riding stables, bowling, and movie theaters nearby.

Friendly Competition

shoot4pinStaff combines the fun competition with a social happy hour

Meeting planners are often looking for fun and unique ways to engage their attendees and allow them to participate and even compete.  The Lodge and Inn offer several cool ways to do that.

Shoot for the pin is a fun activity in which each player has an allotted number of chances to tee off from the Inn onto a green about 70 yards away. A club employee stands on the island green to measure who made it closest to the pin. The staff has discovered it’s a game even those who have never picked up a club enjoy playing, and the staff can arrange to set up a bar outside and light up the area to combine the activity into a social hour.

Not far away is a putting green, where attendees can also test their putting skills.

At the Tavern, the bar located within the Inn, planners can arrange a mixology class led by the bartenders, who educate attendees on what ratios make the perfect balanced drink. Attendees can then get behind the bar and test out their own concoctions and taste-test each creation.

The Ponte Vedra resorts continue to reinvent themselves, with several upcoming renovations to freshen both their guest rooms and meeting spaces to provide continuously unique and memorable experiences to their guests, so there is always a reason to come back.

St. Regis Monarch Beach

If you haven’t already heard, one of Orange County’s most iconic properties is shedding its formal decor for a SoCal cool vibe. On the heels of receiving its latest Forbes Five Star rating, AAA Five Diamond St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, California, has entered the final phase of a $30 million dollar transformation of its resort spaces, which take full advantage of wide Pacific Ocean views.

General Manager Ian Pullan recently shared details with Smart Meetings about the property’s top-to-bottom redesign, which is expected to be complete this May. “We are excited to share our new comprehensive redesign that provides a fresh take on coastal living in California,” he said. “As one of Southern California’s iconic destinations, we hope our guests enjoy discovering our reimagined resort with our new, relaxed indoor and outdoor spaces and guest experiences.”

St. Regis Monarch BeachPresidential suite

All guest rooms and suites in the 400-room property have been reconstructed to reflect a Mediterranean coastal theme. In-room amenities have been enhanced with some of the latest hotel technologies. New communication panels allow guests to request room service and send text messages to the valet for easy retrieval of vehicles. Guests have access to more than 3,000 publications on their mobile devices with a new press reader service. They can also sync up with Bluetooth alarm clocks and televisions to stream movies or play music.

One of the most exciting developments at the resort is the brand new Miraval Spa. Created in partnership with Arizona-based Miraval Group, the sister facility is the spa company’s first coastal location. The St. Regis spa will carry on Miraval’s balance-centric philosophy with signature programs that take advantage of its oceanfront location.  Meeting groups will be able to participate in healthy culinary workshops with access to nutrition specialists; holistic programs that incorporate meditation; and listen to expert speakers discuss various wellness topics.

St. Regis Monarch BeachSombra outdoor space

St. Regis offers 30,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor function space, as well as 60,000 sq. ft. of outdoor ocean front space with access to the resort’s private beach. Two outdoor spaces, including an expanded 12,600-square-foot lawn and a remodeled pool area will offer stunning reception areas with sunset views.

St. Regis Monarch BeachAVEO Table + Bar

Groups can also meet and dine in five new restaurant concepts, which include AVEO Table + Bar and 33°North. Headed by Executive Chef Collin Thornton, bar and restaurant menus feature local ingredients, such as herbs and honey harvested onsite. Michael Mina’s Stonehill Tavern remains as the resort’s signature fine dining establishment.

starwood hotels

South Florida is gearing up for a contemporary boost to its hotel infrastructure. Earlier this month Aloft Sarasota opened as one of several Starwood hotels coming to South Florida in the next three years. At least nine specialty select brands, including Aloft, Element and Four Points, will open by the end of 2019, giving Starwood a portfolio of 30 Florida hotels.

Aloft Hotels will bring six new hotels; Four Points will add two more properties; and Element will open at least one more hotel. New properties will open in the cities of Miami, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, Aventura and Delray Beach.

“Florida is one of the fastest growing markets in North America for Starwood’s specialty select brands, propelled by strong demand for the distinct offerings of Aloft, Four Points and Element in dynamic destinations across the state,” says Brian McGuinness, global brand leader of specialty select brands under Starwood.

Starwood Hotels coming to South Florida include:

Aloft Coral Gables – January 2017

Located minutes away from Miami International Airport (MIA), the mixed-use development will offer retail shops and an upscale restaurant. Nearby attractions include Port of Miami, Vizcaya, Coconut Grove, South Beach and historic Miracle Mile. The hotel will have 137 guest rooms and 600 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Aloft Miami Airport – March 2017

This reuse project will transform the Pan American Bank Building into a modern 125-room hotel with 1,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. The hotel will be located close to Miami Free Trade Zone, Dolphin Mall, University of Miami and various corporations.

Aloft Aventura – July 2017

Situated between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the Aventura property will boast a location convenient to premium golf courses in the area. The community offers easy access to South Beach, Seaquarium, Coral Gables and Hollywood Greyhound Track. Guests staying at the 207-room property will be close to Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). It will have 1,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Aloft Weston – October 2017

Aloft Weston will boast a location near a diverse array of attractions, including Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall, Cleveland Clinic Weston, BB&T Center and Sun Life Stadium. The property will have 136 guest rooms and more than 600 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Aloft Delray Beach – 2018

The four-story hotel will be within walking distance to several shops, restaurants and cafes in the Delray Beach business district. It will be constructed as a mixed-use development with condominium units, ground floor retail space and a parking garage with 160 spaces. The 120-room Aloft property will have 4,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Aloft Fort Lauderdale – January 2019

This property will follow Element Fort Lauderdale after it opens in 2017, as part of a dual-branded hotel complex. It will feature 224 guest rooms, 1,500 sq. ft. of meeting space and a 250-space parking deck. Nearby attractions include Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Boulevard and Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Element Fort Lauderdale Downtown – December 2017

Joined by Aloft Fort Lauderdale, the second half of the dual-branded property will offer 150 guest rooms and 12,100 sq. ft. of meeting space. As part of its eco-conscious branding, the hotel will offer complimentary bike rentals.

Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port – December 2016

Just minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Port Everglades Cruise Port, visitors will easily be able to access this new hotel. The existing property will undergo a renovation and rebranding before opening as a Four Points hotel with 112 guest rooms and 2,200 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Four Points by Sheraton Miami Airport – June 2017

Located just 1 mile from Miami International Airport (MIA), Four Points Miami Airport will offer 124 guest rooms and 1,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. It will also have a restaurant, outdoor pool and fitness center.

borgata-front-lobbyWhen you need a place with a proven track record for brilliant meetings, the smart choice is Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and The Water Club. Escape, play and engage in an atmosphere where inspiration comes naturally. Whether you’re planning an event for 30 or 3,000 attendees, both have the service to accommodate your needs in style. Here top-shelf amenities and superb dining meet sophisticated and technologically rich convention facilities.

Find 70,000 square feet of flexible function space with first-class service and amenities perfect for any type of seminar, from sales and executive meetings to regional conferences, trade shows and grand galas. Hold a large conference at The Event Center, a column-free event space with audiovisual technology, full banquet menu and flexible meeting functionality. Or book The Music Box if you need stage and stadium seating for up to 1,000 guests.

Other unique spaces include four 1,200-square-foot Studio rooms, two Executive Boardrooms and eight Tower Studios – featuring plasma TVs and views of the Atlantic for the most intimate meetings. A collection of fine dining partners offers private spaces that seat 20 to 80. At The Water Club, conferences are a pleasure with 18,000 sq. ft. of spacious, contemporary and inventive meeting space loaded with advanced technology. For any venue, take advantage of in-house audio-visual equipment and catering from the best names in the industry.

borgata-water-clubYour downtime begins with 2,800 well-appointed guest rooms, each a stunning and sumptuous retreat. Between The Water Club at Borgata and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, there are so many ways for some TLC with two spas, five indoor/outdoor pools, and five boutique shopping experiences. There are five signature restaurants for the ultimate dining experience brought to you by world-class chefs Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, Michael Schulson, along with The Water Club’s Culinary Lifestyle Consultant Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian— offering everything from modern Japanese and upscale steaks to contemporary American cuisine. Of course, the excitement never stops at Borgata’s 161,000-square-foot casino.

Close proximity to Atlantic City International Airport, Rail Terminal and Municipal Bus Terminal makes getting here as effortless as being here or planning the perfect event. Borgata has been recognized for its outstanding work servicing meetings, incentive travel programs, trade shows and conventions, by readers of some of the industry’s most highly regarded trade publications. Whether you’re slated for a small or large gathering, professional staff will assist you with all of your event planning needs.

worlds-top-meeting-destinationsA newly released study has identified Texas, Florida and Las Vegas as the most popular destinations for meetings and events in the United States.

The annual study, compiled by Pacific World and Access Destination Services, produced the 2015 Pacific World Destination Index report, which identified the most thriving destinations in the United States, Asia and Europe/Middle East/Africa for meetings, conferences and incentives. More than 100 destinations and 60,000 meeting professionals participated in the survey.

This year saw strong worldwide improvements in top destinations’ transportation, hotels, venues, technology exchange rates, safety and stability.

Texas, Florida and Las Vegas topped the U.S. list largely because of their new venues, restaurants, and increased international and regional flights. Dallas, San Antonio, Miami and Las Vegas were singled out for their outstanding conference and incentives offerings.

Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore were recognized as the top Asia locations for meetings and incentives. Bangkok and Bali were voted the most popular cities.

In the Europe/Middle East/Africa region, Italy, United Arab Emirates and France were named the top destinations for meetings and incentives. Milan and Paris were ranked high partly due to improved transportation and investment in infrastructure, resulting in the opening of additional hotels and venues.

The UAE was recognized for its accessible flight routes, new hotels and technology and set-ups that facilitate large-scale events.

northeast-and-central-floridaThis week is all things Florida, as Smart Meetings takes a tour of Ponte Vedra Beach’s quaint seaside locale and visits booming attractions in Orlando. In Central Florida, we’ll offer a peek at Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, which is in the midst of a $125 million renovation. Nearby, celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto has opened The Boathouse & Morimoto Asia restaurant with two tiers of Asian-inspired cuisine. Later we’ll check out Pitbull’s newest nightclub Mango Tropical Café Orlando, which features live entertainment and plenty of Latin flair.

We’ll also be sharing updates from Ponte Vedra Beach Resorts, including AAA Five Diamond Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and The Lodge & Club. Southeast of Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach is an unincorporated seaside community in St. Johns County, Florida. Stay tuned to find out what all these two family-friendly picturesque resorts have in store – from two oceanfront 18-hole golf courses to a 30,000-square-foot luxury spa and plenty of meeting space.

Join the conversation on Twitter at #FlaFam2016, and for the latest updates follow @smartmtgsraine and @smartmtgsmeena.