[ON LOCATION] BARBARA SCOFIDIO
Talk about a grand entrance: As you drive over the Charlotte Harbor bridge, a mammoth building emerges, towering above the bay. It’s absolutely striking in its scale (785 rooms, including 189 suites), its all-white facade and the fact that, at 110 ft high, it’s the only building around that’s not a single story. Attendees will have no question: They have arrived.
Since its grand opening last December, Sunseeker Resort has shone a light on a little-known section of Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast midway between Sarasota and Fort Myers. Expressly designed for meetings, with 60,000 sf of space, it also has 20 dining options and bars (including a large food hall), many of which can be used by groups. There are two pools—a rooftop adults-only pool and a massive pool in the center of the complex that is billed as the biggest in southern Florida—a spa, and an 18-hole golf club, Aileron, for members and resort guests only.
The harbor is the focal point of both the guest rooms and the meeting space. Many of the meeting rooms, located in a private convention area on the second floor, have doors to outside balconies where attendees can catch some rays and breathe in the fresh sea air during breaks. The guest rooms feature a clean, white palette and weathered-wood flooring, with pops of brightly colored artwork and throw pillows. The vibe is fresh and coastal, elevated but unpretentious.
The warmth of the service at Sunseeker is striking; employees regularly go out of their way to help, or just to check in. It was clear that they are not just doing their jobs, they are proud to be working at such a spectacular new resort.
Prevue was on site in August for the Meet Well Summit, and our hotel partners were among the most passionate we have worked with. Start with the F&B, which was creative, experiential and inspired. An opening reception featured a Parmesan wheel activation and a guacamole station where attendees could hand-pick the ingredients for their individually prepared servings. At breakfast, the focus was on healthy, tasty options, including freshly prepared smoothies. Every minor detail was handled with care, and every last-minute request was tended to efficiently. The room amenity for our group was among the most thoughtful we had ever seen at a Prevue Summit: an Australian wool blanket and a cheese board and wood-and-stone coasters tastefully embossed with the Sunseeker logo (a stylized sun).
For groups, the city of Punta Gorda, just over the bridge, is certainly part of the attraction of a meeting at Sunseeker. This laid-back town is a magnet for creatives, with several art galleries that showcase local art, from paintings to pottery to jewelry. There’s even art on the streets, with 30+ murals and guided tours available for groups. Foodies will not be disappointed here, with a variety of waterfront restaurants and options for dine-arounds, especially at Fishermen’s Village, a charming open-air collection of seaside shops and eateries. A must-do is a sunset cruise, and King Fisher Fleet departs right from Fisherman’s Village for an unforgettable evening on the harbor.
sunseekerresorts.com/meetings-and-events