MIAMI (July 18, 2017) ─ Key International – a prominent real estate investment and development company specializing in hospitality – announced today that it has topped off Phase I of construction of its highly-anticipated Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort in Florida. The resort, which will serve as a preeminent business, leisure and event destination, is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2018.
“We are thrilled to see this St. Augustine Beach resort come to life,” said Diego Ardid, co-president of Key International. “Reaching this monumental construction milestone brings us one step closer to filling the need for a family-friendly resort product in this market, an unmatched beachfront location that couples an extensive collection of active and leisure amenities with modern finishes and dependable guest services.”
Set adjacent to scenic Anastasia State Park and steps from the sand, the property will be one of the only upscale beach resorts in the St. Augustine market and one of only five beach-front properties with a resort designation under the Embassy Suites by Hilton flag. Boasting 535 feet of ocean frontage, it is poised to be a leading wedding, vacation and business destination, seamlessly integrating the natural beauty and sweeping ocean views of surrounding St. Augustine Beach, with the world-class comforts of Embassy Suites by Hilton.
“Adapted to blend seamlessly into St. Augustine’s majestic coastal skyline, this resort is a testament to both the rising demand for suite-style hotels in prominent leisure and business event destinations, and the overall flexibility of Embassy Suites’ prototype,” said Alan Roberts, global head, Embassy Suites by Hilton. “We are proud to add this oceanfront property to our growing portfolio of All Suites by Hilton hotels, and look forward to delighting guests with our modern value-added amenities and one of a kind upscale all-suite experience.”
The resort will have 175 keys, including king, studio king, two-bedroom, and queen-queen suites, and several picturesque outdoor venues with ocean views. Each suite is equipped with a separate living area, private bedroom and wet bar. In-room entertainment will be provided by two high-definition, flat-screen TV’s. A subsequent Phase II of construction will add an additional 90 to 100 accommodations to the resort.
Guests will enjoy a wide selection of offerings and lifestyle amenities, including 7,500 square feet of indoor meeting and social gathering space, an oceanfront pool bar, an expansive resort pool, direct beach access, multiple dining options, a fitness center, and the award-winning service synonymous with Embassy Suites by Hilton. The hotel will also offer guests Embassy Suites’ signature amenities, including free made-to-order breakfast each morning and a complimentary two-hour Evening Reception* with drinks and snacks.
As a licensed Starbucks® franchise, the resort will also include a full-service coffee experience, serving as a gathering place for guests and locals seeking a caffeine fix, cold-pressed juice, pastry or on-the-go snack. The property will further the Starbucks® mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.
To be a leading destination in the Florida wedding market, the resort offers an intimate outdoor dedicated wedding lawn, complete with a romantic pergola framing the St. Augustine Beach pier as it extends into the stunning backdrop of the sea, as well as an expertly-designed indoor ballroom. The site will feature a simplistic, flexible design that complements the region’s natural beauty and can be altered to fit any style or occasion.
The property occupies a 6.5-acre enclave stretching from A1A Beach Boulevard to the Atlantic Ocean, allowing for maximum ocean-view accommodations. It’s unmatched location next to Anastasia State Park prevents any development to the north, preserving the wondrous vistas of St. Augustine Beach from the lobby, outdoor terrace, ballroom windows and pre-function terrace.
Key International has partnered with hotel operator Hospitality Ventures Management Group – an Atlanta based, fully-integrated hotel management and ownership company and industry leader for Embassy Suites by Hilton operation – to manage the resort.
The new property, which Key International acquired for $4 million in 2015, joins the firm’s impressive portfolio of hospitality, commercial and residential real estate projects throughout the Southeast U.S. and in Spain. Key International owns and manages a diverse collection of hotels, several of which are under the Marriott, Hilton and IHG flags.
