The new 125-room and suites Hyatt Place Marathon already was sold out on Dec. 27. Built at the west end of Marathon at the site of the historic Faro Blanco Lighthouse, the property enjoyed a soft opening Dec. 16, 2014, and welcomed local residents with a $99 a night special rate through Dec. 23. After that, the rate increased by $100-$200. Then it sold out for two nights, according to General Manager Steve Robbins.
“We are fortunate to have opened the hotel just prior to Christmas week which is one of the busiest periods of the year,” he said. “Our expectations for 2015 are very good and consistent with the Florida Keys average occupancy. Our meeting space and the new marina are already in demand and will assist us in selling rooms. We are seeing strong interest in our location for weddings and events; this will also help us achieve our goals.”
Built by the Spottswood Properties of Key West, the Hyatt Place Marathon features a three-story modern hotel with some rooms facing the pool, and a few with glimpses of the ocean. But directly on the Gulf of Mexico is an expansive dock area accommodating boaters and yacht club amenities such as fuel service and pump-out facilities, 24-hour security, the Faro Blanco Lighthouse which has been refurbished, and a pool and Lighthouse Grill restaurant — which block hotel guests’ water views. The dockside facilities are set to open in early 2015.
Along with Keys residents taking advantage of the opening special rate, visitors from Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy and Asia were checked in at the hotel opening week. Foreign languages were spoken at the pool, in the elevator and in the breakfast area, while business people and families shared first floor lobby space, access to three computers and a printer, and a 24-hour restaurant offering sandwiches, salads and desserts. One customer raved about the pizza while a front desk host recommended the mushroom-brie soup. Sweets in the bakery display case included cookies, brownies and several flavors of cupcakes. A complimentary breakfast known as the Kitchen Skillet is included in the room price and offers hot breakfast items such as eggs, ham, bacon and various cheeses on croissants or potato rolls, fresh fruit, oatmeal and a variety of pastries and breads.
Other features at the property include access to a 24-hour fitness center with cardiovascular workout machines as well as weights, and easy, complimentary wi-fi access.
Guest rooms offer a spacious bed, with a sofa for lounging or a sofa-sleeper for more guests, and a state-of-the-art media and work center with a 42-inch high definition TV. A coffee and tea pot and refrigerator are welcome amenities. Bathrooms boast granite countertops and complimentary shampoo, conditioner and hand lotion.
A couple glitches one morning of opening week included a locked employee entrance and locked gate access to the pool, both of which are scheduled to be opened prior to 8 a.m. The pool opens at 6 a.m.
Marathon’s government and business leaders recently expressed optimism about 2015 as several of the re-developed hotels and resorts are coming online. Income derived from bed tax will help promote the Middle Keys while benefitting city activities and projects.
See www.marathonfloridakeys.place.hyatt.com or www.flakeys.com for more information.
