Fort Lauderdale Hotel Gets $70Mil Transformation
The Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club
APRIL 1, 2008. The Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club, formerly the Fort Lauderdale Marina Marriott, has just completed a comprehensive $70 million transformation that will revolutionize this ideally located South Florida hotel into a vibrant and sophisticated coastal retreat. Redesigned and modernized guestrooms, a new lobby and refurbished common areas debuted in December 2007, delivering a chic, upscale experience. Jeffrey Chodorow's new China Grill restaurant - Fort Lauderdale's first - opened its doors this month, along with new enhanced dining outlets. Additional renovations to be complete by early spring 2008 include the property's marina villas, set adjacent to the hotel's main tower.
Under the direction of award-winning design team Barry Design Associates, the 589-room property poised at the edge of South Florida's Intracoastal Waterway has been transformed into an urbane hotel that defines modern, affordable luxury at its best. Guests enjoy interiors that blend contemporary design with acute functionality - including the latest technology - along with innovative dining options, and personalized yet unobtrusive service. This utterly revived hotel introduces an entirely new concept to Fort Lauderdale, encompassing a style that is both intimate and comfortable, while also elegantly hip and fresh.
"The renovation of the Fort Lauderdale Grande is a total transformation and spectacular rebirth of a property that enjoys a fabulous location in the heart of a city that is also enjoying a metamorphosis," says Carlos Molinet, general manager of the Fort Lauderdale Grande. "Our new look capitalizes on the city's resurging focus on luxury, while retaining an affordable sensibility."
New guestrooms are highlighted by a color palette of ocean-inspired blues and greens set against neutral sand tones, which blend effortlessly with hand-selected sleek furnishings and magnificent floor-to-ceiling views. Ocean-inspired artwork, softly patterned carpeting and luxurious European-style bed linens further reinforce the sense of place, something appreciated by vacationers and business travelers alike who value style at a reasonable price.
Dining at the Fort Lauderdale Grande will elevate the standard for the city's culinary experiences. The hotel's new signature restaurant - Jeffrey Chodorow's celebrated China Grill - offers innovative and delicious Asian-inspired world cuisine served against a backdrop of waterfront views. China Grill Management also operates all in-room dining throughout the hotel. Additional new dining options include The G - a stylish lunchtime setting overlooking the hotel's 33-slip inlet marina and redesigned pool area, and Antea - the perfect pre-occasion spot, located in the hotel's revitalized waterfront lobby, serving light fare on-the-go during the day and cocktails with small bites in the evening.
Redesigned to bring fresh energy and a renewed sense of welcome, Fort Lauderdale Grande's lobby offers a social ambiance and comfortable setting that easily transitions from day to a popular nighttime gathering spot. In addition to Antea, this lively, energetic space features a swanky, laid-back atmosphere with rich alabaster, lush stones and light-transmitting materials that create a warm, glowing, sun-like effect. Both functional and fun, the lobby's color-splashed d'ecor is highlighted by lounge-style seating, stylish furnishings and a lower-level exterior deck set directly on the hotel's inlet marina with built-in seating and a fire pit.
The hotel offers a redesigned swimming pool and tropical deck area, an onsite fitness center, and complimentary shuttle service to transport guests to nearby Fort Lauderdale beach just minutes away. Deep sea fishing, sailing, scuba diving and boat rentals easily can be arranged, and guests enjoy preferred access to Spa 66 at neighboring LXR sister property Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six. The Fort Lauderdale Grande boasts a superb location convenient to the city's downtown and business districts, as well as the famous Las Olas Boulevard.
The hotel's event facilities have also undergone a significant update and expansion, offering more than 20,000 square feet of flexible space, outdoor catering decks, pre-function foyers and a pair of ballrooms outfitted with state-of the-art lighting design and acoustic systems. The resort offers both wired and wireless internet connections and access to a full-service business center.
Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club is convenient to the downtown business center, walking distance of the convention center, and 10 minutes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. For more information, travelers should contact their travel planner, call (888) 554-2132 or visit (http://www.FortLauderdaleGrande.com).
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