Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa – a 650-room resort set on the destination’s largest stretch of private beach recently completed a significant $32 million dollar renovation project. Encompassing updates to all guest rooms, suites, and corridors, along with an overhaul of the resort’s meeting and event spaces, a reimagined culinary concept, and enhanced recreational offerings, the transformation modernizes the oceanfront resort as it ushers in its 40th year of operations.
“For four decades, it has been our pleasure to provide memorable moments to guests through exceptional accommodations, all-encompassing amenities, and the heartfelt hospitality of our dedicated associates,” said Donelle Zunker, general manager of Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort. “We look forward to continuing to serve as the backdrop for incredible vacation and event experiences, now with an even better look and product.”
Drawing on the locale’s abundant nature for inspiration, California-based hospitality design firm, CRA Design, reinvigorated the resort’s existing spaces with fresh coastal décor in a calming color palette well-suited to the oceanfront oasis. The resort’s redesign melds serenity with subtle sophistication, resulting in an overall ambiance that is elevated but inviting.
The newly outfitted rooms now greet guests with furnishings that lean into the seaside aesthetic through oceanic hues of sandy creams, tans, and blue tones, and elements like woven fabrics, and modern artwork mimicking the movement of water. Anchoring each key is a custom mural accent wall – a sea of sweeping strokes of watercolor, reflecting the destination’s sunrises and providing a calming focal point. The 31 suites – each with private balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing panoramic ocean views – were transformed from top to bottom, now featuring upgraded furnishings, warm woods, coastal touches, quartz, and sun-kissed champagne finishes.
Five of the resort’s ballrooms, meeting rooms, and pre-function spaces received a refresh, including refinements to the furniture, wall coverings, decorative lighting, and artwork. Continuing the coastal coloration presented in the guest rooms, the meeting areas are dressed in shades of blues, neutrals and earthy colors, featuring custom Axminster woven carpet reminiscent of the intertwining of the ocean and canals in the destination throughout. A wallcovering inspired by the area’s lush landscape of palms, cypress and mangroves now leads to the resort’s third largest ballroom, setting the tone for a stylish conference or social gathering. Additionally, the 15,000-square-foot ballroom Grand Ballroom and the 8,000-square-foot Caribbean Ballroom received sculptural light fixtures made of textured glass and bronze, depicting the movement of the ocean and adding a contemporary touch to the overall look.
Further enhancing the guest experience, Sea Level Restaurant and Ocean Bar received a makeover, emerging with a color scheme of sandy shades and brilliant blues, with accent pops of raffia, and a feature wall cladded with local coral stone adorned with a marine-inspired sculptural motif. The beachside eatery offers indoor and outdoor dining along with an ocean view bar, all steps from the shore. Along with debuting a new look, the restaurant also introduced an evening menu, expanding operational hours to now offer lunch and dinner daily. Curated by Executive Chef Mikey Termini, the menu showcases the vibrant flavors of Caribbean and Latin American cuisine alongside fresh-caught seafood and premium cuts of meat.
With the addition of six pickleball courts and programing with on-site pros, the 15-story oceanfront resort also expanded its expansive selection of recreational offerings, which already included an 8,000-square-foot tropical lagoon pool, tennis courts, fitness center, and outdoor lounge area complete with poolside cabanas and lounge beds, and kids club activities.
Set on 16 acres and a quarter mile stretch of private beach in Florida, Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa offers seven on-site food and beverage venues, a full-service spa, daily programming and entertainment, and more than 100,000 square feet of spectacular indoor and outdoor event space. Marriott Harbor Beach Resort offers laid-back tropical tranquility with signature Marriott service, and its central location places guests just minutes from Fort Lauderdale International Airport, the cruise port, and the shops, dining and nightlife of Fort Lauderdale’s famed Las Olas Boulevard.
To learn more about Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, please visit marriott.com or call 954-525-4000.
