Kimpton Plans Boutique All-Suites Resort In Florida’s Key Largo

Eyes late 2010 opening for waterfront hotel & spa

-- Hotels, 6/5/2008 12:53:00 PM

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announces plans for its first property in the Florida Keys, slated for a late 2010 opening.

Developer Northstar Resort Enterprises Corp., in conjunction with Kimpton, will begin construction this summer on a luxury, all-suites resort, spa and marina on 11.7 acres of waterfront property in the diving and sport-fishing destination of Key Largo.

The still-to-be-named resort will feature 138 suites - each with bay-view balconies; an upscale, destination restaurant and bar with indoor and outdoor seating; a private beach; a full-service spa; and an exclusive marina offering chartered fishing and diving excursions for guests. The resort also will feature 5,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space and full banquet facilities.

“South Florida is an area we have been eyeing for expansion for some time, so we are thrilled to be coming to the Keys,” says Kimpton CEO and President Michael Depatie. “This is an area with extremely high barriers to entry, so for us to be cleared for groundbreaking in such an amazing location for such a spectacular property is especially exciting.”

According to Depatie, Key Largo-based Northstar Enterprises, which has owned the land since 1999, has spent more than seven years clearing hurdles to secure all necessary approvals and permits to build the hotel.

This hotel is one of four Kimpton hotels currently planned for the sunshine state. The 400-room Epic Hotel in Miami is slated to open in December 2008.