CHICAGO (April 3, 2018) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and AC Ocean Walk today announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a franchise agreement with AC Ocean Walk for the 1,399-room Ocean Resort Casino located at 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J. The $3 billion landmark property, which was recently acquired by AC Ocean Walk, will join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand, Hyatt’s growing collection of unique and independent stay experiences. The resort will be situated on 20 acres on the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk, and at 710 feet and 60 stories tall, will be the tallest structure in Atlantic City. It is expected to open in summer 2018 and will be operated by AC Ocean Walk.
“We are excited to be affiliating Ocean Resort Casino with The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand, and to be introducing Hyatt to Atlantic City, one of the nation’s most visited resort and casino destinations,” said David Tarr, senior vice president of development, Americas, Hyatt. “AC Ocean Walk’s spectacular resort will establish a new standard on Atlantic City’s storied Boardwalk, making it a fitting addition to The Unbound Collection by Hyatt portfolio.”
Ocean Resort Casino will be the eighth hotel in North America to open as part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt portfolio, which launched in 2016, joining the recently opened Holston House Nashville in Nashville, Tenn., The Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia, and Spirit Ridge in Osoyoos, British Columbia. The Eliza Jane in New Orleans is expected to join the portfolio, when it opens this spring. In addition, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt properties include The Driskill in Austin, Texas, Royal Palms Resort & Spa in Phoenix, The Confidante in Miami Beach, Fla., Hotel du Louvre in Paris, and Carmelo Resort & Spa in Uruguay.
Whether it is a captivating past, an exclusive, prime location, famous architecture and design or an award-winning dining experience, each property in the collection maintains a distinct character and the freedom to be unique, while still providing guests with the opportunity to earn World of Hyatt points and redeem for free night awards and access to many other benefits at Hyatt locations worldwide.
“It is an honor for us to join forces with one of the world’s most renowned hotel brands: Hyatt. Hyatt has an incredible 60-plus-year legacy in the industry, and its loyal global customer base will have access to an authentic way to experience all that makes Atlantic City attractive and popular. We are thrilled and proud to be joining The Unbound Collection by Hyatt portfolio as we prepare for the resort’s opening this summer,” said Bruce Deifik, chairman of AC Ocean Walk.
The expansive 6.4 million-square-foot luxury resort will feature a 138,000-square-foot luxury casino, 160,000 square feet of indoor meeting and convention space with another 90,000 square feet of flexible outdoor special event space, five swimming pools, including a salt-water pool, a sun deck with cabanas, and distinctive dining from premiere restaurant groups Garces Group and LDV Hospitality and entertainment experiences that will feature lively day and nightclubs and a best-in-class sports bar. The resort will include a 32,000-square-foot onsite location of exhale, Hyatt’s newly acquired fitness and spa brand, which will feature 32 treatment rooms, a mind body studio and retail boutique. The new spa will be the first exhale experience to open within a Hyatt-branded property.
“Now, guests of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand can easily maintain their commitment to mind and body transformation without leaving the resort,” said Marc Ellin, global head of Miraval Group and exhale enterprises. “We’re excited to grow exhale locations with the opening of Ocean Resort Casino, as well as continuing wellbeing programming and services in new ways.”
Ocean Resort Casino was purchased by AC Ocean Walk in January 2018, and has started an extensive hiring program which is expected to bring 2,500-3,000 new jobs to Atlantic City.
“The unique value Ocean Resort Casino brings to Atlantic City is the overall attention to detail and investment made in its design, fixtures and features, which will be optimized as we develop the overall guest experience,” said Deifik. “The resort’s prime location on Atlantic City’s famed boardwalk will offer guests the best of this vibrant destination.”
Recently, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand announced a new hotel development in Hollywood, Calif., slated to open in 2019, and that the iconic Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez in Cannes, France will re-open in spring 2018 under the brand as Hotel Martinez.
For more information, visit www.theoceanac.com and unboundcollection.hyatt.com.
