March 2025
MIAMI BEACH CABANA
FLORIDA
Powerhouse Tourism Destination
By Paloma Villaverde de Rico
The visitor numbers say it all—Florida continues to dominate tourism in the U.S., with 142.9 million total visitors traveling to the state in 2024, an increase of +1.6 percent from 2023 and a record high. Of those, 130.7 million were domestic visitors, a +1.3 percent increase from 2023, making it the largest number of domestic annual visitors on record. And when visitors come to Florida, the destinations of most interest are, not surprisingly, Miami; the Orlando area; Fort Lauderdale; the Tampa Bay area; and the Florida Keys. Interestingly,
VISIT FLORIDA
executives tell us that visitors from the U.S. East Coast seem to gravitate towards Florida’s eastern seaboard, while those from the Midwest U.S. tend to head to Florida’s Gulf Coast.
VISIT FLORIDA executives tell
Recommend
that the organization will continue the mission of introducing Florida’s lesser-known destinations to travel advisors, as it helps smaller counties increase their tourism numbers and helps disperse people out of the primary tourism areas. “It’s a big state,†they comment.
Even though it’s a big state, we’ve got you covered as we’ve hop-scotched across the peninsula to get the 411 on the very latest in hotel and theme park happenings. The more intel you have, the better you can sell the Sunshine State and add to your bottom line.
KEYS ISLAMORADA
Hotel Landscape
From trendy hotspots to splashy water park retreats, Florida is brimming with fresh new and renovated properties.
The Florida Keys’ laid-back vibe is unparalleled, whether your clients are sportfishing in Islamorada or diving into Key West’s eccentric charm. Properties here offer that easy-going ambiance, with resorts such as
Islander Resort
in Islamorada undergoing a comprehensive renovation. It now boasts fully renovated accommodations, including 114 bungalows and suites, plus 25 2-bedroom townhome villas, all set across 24 lush acres. Also in Islamorada, you’ll find
Three Waters Resort & Marina, a Tribute Portfolio Resort
, which opened late last year with 214 island-inspired guestrooms, nine culinary concepts, an adult-centric, resort-within-a-resort concept called
The Cove
, private seaplane service from Miami and seaplane charters around the Keys, educational programming, watersports, diving, snorkeling, fishing, a boat taxi and more. Guestrooms and cottages offer a family-friendly, Florida Keys-inspired aesthetic, while
The Cove
offers island-inspired guestrooms and suites with only king beds, a tranquil private beach lagoon and the resort’s Wave Motion Studio.
Head south to famed Duval Street and you’ll find the 160-room
La Concha Key West
, which has just completed a $35 million+ renovation and is now part of
Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection
. The property, which has been a grand dame of Key West since 1926, offers several onsite dining venues featuring signature tropical-, Cuban- and Spanish-style cooking with sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients and a refreshing, creative beverage program. Looking for some pampering? Book one of the seven
Grand Dame Villas
at the Rooftop
with a dedicated concierge, floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies overlooking Duval Street.
And we can’t mention Key West without talking about the highly anticipated expansion at the destination’s international airport (
EYW
)—its 49,000-sq.-ft. Concourse A expansion is targeted for completion in April, while its extended TSA lanes are to be completed in September. Overall airport improvements are slated for final completion in summer 2026—with eight passenger boarding jet bridges, a 446-panel electrochromic glass curtain wall and state-of-the-art baggage carousels.
Several new properties are now calling the “Magic City†home, including the vibrant and playful
Moxy Miami Wynwood
, located in one of Miami’s trendiest neighborhoods and rolling out the red carpet for its fun-loving guests who want to explore one of the world’s largest outdoor museums as well as mingle in co-working and communal spaces. The next neighborhood over from Wynwood, the Miami Design District, with its uber-luxe shopping opportunities, finally has a property to call its own:
The Hotel at the Moore
. This ultra-boutique property, which debuted in December, crowns the top floor of the historic Moore building and features only 13 plush suites, a private club and the Elastika restaurant, which dishes up Florida-inspired fare and is named for the mind-bending Zaha Hadid sculpture extending across the atrium.
In one of Miami’s most dynamic areas, Brickell, with its stunning architecture and sparkling nightlife, you’ll soon find a
Treehouse
property, a brand born from “ideas that inspire a child to build a treehouse.†This will be the second property for the brand, with the other in London, and is set to feature cozy spaces that feel like home and boast panoramic skyline views. Head on over to the Miami River, just west of Downtown Miami, to find the spot for the soon-to-open
Dream Hotel
at the forthcoming Riverside Wharf development. Slated for completion in 2025, the 165-room hotel will feature a façade with a futuristic nautical motif and a deep-water marina with direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, so guests can arrive by land or by sea. The mixed-use Riverside Wharf development will also be home to residences, multiple restaurants and bars, entertainment and a waterfront promenade.
Skip on over to Miami Beach to find the newest
citizenM
property in Miami:
citizenM Miami South Beach
(they also have spots in Downtown and Brickell). The 168-room hotel has a living room, a canteenM serving 24/7 snacks and drinks, a terrace, a gym, a rooftop infinity pool and hidden bar surrounded by lush greenery.
Hyatt’s
first
Andaz
property in Florida opens this month in what was formerly the iconic Confidante hotel. Located in Mid-Beach, the hotel will offer 287 rooms and 65 suites as well as culinary collaborations with the Jose Andres Group. Summertime will welcome the 150-room
Thompson Miami Beach
, with guestrooms decorated in plush jewel tones and floor-to-ceiling windows. There will also be a rooftop pool and the chic Vilebrequin La Plage restaurant.
PIER SIXTY SIX
Other hotels to keep on your radar include
The Sunny
, set to debut this year in Sunny Isles Beach; the boutique-style
Hilton Cabana Miami Beach Resort
, located in the Millionaire’s Row neighborhood of Mid-Beach; and the iconic
Shelbourne by Proper
, which has undergone extensive renovations and is set for her welcome back party this spring.
In Miami’s neighbor to the north, Fort Lauderdale, the legendary
Pier Sixty-Six,
which once welcomed the likes of Frank Sinatra, has just reopened with 325 rooms and suites, many with Intracoastal, marina or ocean views; 12 restaurants; a 13,000-sq.-ft. spa; and a 164-slip marina. Its rotating 17th-floor Pier Top Bar will open this month to provide guests with the city’s only 360-degree panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
ACCOMMS PALM BEACH
The Palm Beaches knows how to blend Old World glamour with contemporary flair. You’ll find plenty of both in its new properties, including at the recently debuted
The Belgrove Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
. This 150-room and -suite property, located along Lake Mangonia and a 10-minute drive from Palm Beach’s downtown, features a refreshed lobby, multiple dining venues, upgraded fitness and spa facilities, two pools and new outdoor patio areas. By late 2025, the resort plans to add 22 villas. One to definitely put on your list for this year is the
Palm House
, with an aesthetic that is a true nod to its surroundings—it’s embraced in pastel pink and palm trees. Here, guests will find 79 spacious guestrooms and suites, a chic Palm Bar, the Sunset Pool Deck with cabana beds and poolside service, and the Palm House Dining Room for all- day culinary indulgence.
And look for the reopening of the iconic
Vineta Hotel
, marking a significant milestone as
Oetker Collection
brings its renowned European hospitality to the U.S. for the first time. Plus, you’ll want to know that the
Beach Club
at
The Boca Raton
is finally open following a $130-million redesign. It now features 210 fully renovated guestrooms and suites, some with expansive outdoor terraces, as well as new restaurants, a refreshed arrival experience and lobby with new cocktail lounge and cafe, a new fitness facility and the Banyan Bunch Beachside, a dedicated children’s program featuring fun amenities and educational activations designed around discovery and nature. Recommend the
Sorbetto
, the Beach Club’s floating Fiat 500 boat that adds a playful twist while showcasing the Italian craftsmanship that Fiat is known for.
Across the state, on the Gulf side, you’ll find Naples, where
Great Wolf Lodge
has opened a 500-room property whose centerpiece is a 92,000-sq.-ft. indoor water park that features a new water-coaster slide element, a regional family raft adventure called Breakaway Bay, a new multi-level ropes course with a zipline experience and a new virtual reality attraction. Families will also find a 61,000-sq.-ft. adventure park and multiple dining options.
PERRY HOTEL NAPLES
For guests looking for a more sedate option in the area, recommend the newly opened
The
Perry Hotel Naples
, whose flagship property can be found in Key West. Its 160 rooms offer guests a pampered stay, plus they’ll have access to ground–level and rooftop pools and a seventh-floor open-air rooftop bar and restaurant with panoramic views. The hotel faces the Cocohatchee River with direct channel access to the Gulf of Mexico and Wiggins State Park and a riverwalk through its nature conservation area to a waterfront pier and 8-slip marina for watersports and excursions.
Fort Myers teems with Old Florida charm and it’s here where you’ll find
The Gasparilla Inn
on Boca Grande, which just reopened and now features an array of accommodations, including private cottages and villas, the 3- or 4-bedroom
Sharp Houses
and the brand-new luxe
Beach Cottages
. Here, families can choose from an array of activities, as well, including golf, tennis, sportfishing, sunset cruises, nature trails and bike paths, weekly historical, culinary and horticultural tours, kayaking and paddleboarding and seasonal children’s programs.
Also just reopened is the beachfront
Sanibel Inn
, with redesigned accommodations, including condo-style options. And this being Sanibel Island, visitors can go shelling, enjoy the stunning Gulf beaches and go cycling along the island’s more than 25 miles of bike trails that wind through charming neighborhoods, lively shopping districts, peaceful waterways, shady tree canopies and wooden bridges. Recommend clients pack a lunch and enjoy a meal with the whole family at designated picnic areas along the trails.
This fall, Sanibel will see the reopening of
Shalimar Beach Resort
, home to 33 units located directly on the beach, including 1- and 2-bedroom villas. And the views are sure to be striking from the hotel rooftop deck.
In Sarasota, the
St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
, with 168 rooms and 26 suites, opened late last year, becoming the largest development on the island in half a century. Nestled on Sarasota’s barrier island, the resort spans 18 acres of pristine white-sand beachfront, offering exclusive access to 800 ft. of private beach. Its leafy central courtyard, known as “The Pools,†features an array of swimming pools, luxury loungers and personal cabanas as well as a family-friendly resort pool, a jacuzzi and a winding river. The adults-only pool , meanwhile, provides a relaxing retreat with a cascading waterfall. Additionally, guests can enjoy the personalized services of a dedicated Pool Butler, a first for the brand, who will dive in to assist with guests’ every need both in and out of the water. Adding to the resort’s charm is the secluded Grotto, a hidden oasis complete with jacuzzi jets and personalized champagne service at the touch of a button. Guests can swim and interact with marine fauna at the Under the Sea Lagoon, a 500,000-gallon habitat with stingrays, local reef fish and two giant Aldabra tortoises, guided by the property’s resident marine biologists. Young explorers can enroll in a marine explorer camp, offering educational experiences with sea life, part of
The Reef Rangers Children’s Club
.
FATHER AND DAUGHTER FT. MYERS
Sarasota will also soon see the opening of the 135-room
Cirque St. Armands Beachside
,
Opal Collection’s
newest Lido Key-based hotel (“early 2025†as of press time). This circus-inspired hotel pays homage to the legacy of one of Sarasota’s most famous residents: John Ringling. The funky aesthetics marries The Great Gatsby with Moulin Rouge featuring grandiose billowing drapery, geometric and stripe patterns, ornate ostrich feather chandeliers, golden wall sconces and pin-striped columns. The dreamy upscale accommodations will offer views from the beach to the bay.
Farther north, in the St. Pete-Clearwater area, you’ll find another Moxy-branded property. Located in one of St. Pete’s hotspots, the EDGE District, this hotel features a rooftop bar, lounge and pool, plus there’s a podcast studio, a coffee bar and the Bar Moxy. Just opened is the Opal Collection’s
OPAL Sol
, set on Clearwater’s Beach Walk promenade. Here, guests will find four restaurant outlets, a full-service
Opal Spa
, three pools and direct access to the beach. Over on St. Pete Beach, the new 113-room
SkyBeach Hotel & Marina
opened last summer after a 2-year renovation. Surrounded by banyan trees and varieties of palms, this secluded resort offers its own private, 29-slip marina, an array of amenities, F&B options and is only an 8-minute ride from the downtown St. Pete scene. Overlooking serene Tampa Bay, here clients can go fishing, swimming or take up a fun watersport.
Mighty Orlando, of course, is always on the move with new hotels and attractions taking center stage. This past December saw the opening of the
Island Tower
at
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
. The property is ideal for families as it offers villas for five to nine guests, with amenities like kitchens, dining areas and outdoor patios. The tower includes 2-bedroom penthouses with lagoon and
Magic Kingdom
views. Meanwhile, the
Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
will unveil 365 newly renovated cabins, set to be fully completed this spring, while the
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin’s
renovations are slated for completion this year.
Both
Universal Stella Nova Resort
and
Universal Terra Luna Resort
just opened over at
Universal Orlando Resort
, adding 1,500 guestrooms to the complex’s hotel portfolio. The new properties feature 750 double-queen guestrooms with spaceship-styled windows, a variety of dining options and amenities including resort-style pools, fitness centers, game rooms, recreation rooms and more.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel
, with a dedicated entrance into the new
Universal Epic Universe
, will open this May. The
Loews
-branded hotel, which will have 500 rooms and 35 suites and feature tablets for guests to digitally control elements of the room from lighting to room service, will have a rooftop bar, a 3-meal restaurant, a pool bar and a grab-and-go station.
This month saw the opening of
Villatel Orlando Resort
, featuring a blend of themed villas, apartments, an adventure water park with multi-story slides and a lazy river and VIP experiences. Located along Orlando’s International Drive, Villatel Orlando Resort is just minutes from Universal Orlando Resort and other
popular attractions.
ICE CREAM
• It’s going to get pretty epic this May 22, 2025, when
Universal Orlando Resort’s
Universal Epic Universe
opens with five amazing worlds—
Dark Universe
,
Super Nintendo World
,
Celestial Park
,
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter–Ministry of Magic
, and
How to Train Your Dragon–Isle of Berk
. (We’ve got all the details, including F&B options, on
recommend.com
.)
•
This spring,
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
will debut an all-new
Wild Oasis
realm. Located within the
Jungala
area of the park,
Wild Oasis
—a vibrant, rainforest-inspired realm—is designed to engage all the senses with interactive elements that include the sights and sounds of the rainforest, the rush of a newly reimagined drop tower featuring state-of-the-art digital and sound effects, an interactive water-play wonderland and a multi-level climbing canopy. Plus, discover an all-new,
multi-species animal habitat for
up-close encounters.
BUSCH GARDENS
•
Walt Disney World Resort
will release a plethora of delights this year.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
will unveil the live stage show, “Disney Villians: Unfairly Ever After,†where iconic villains like Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent take center stage, as well as “The Little Mermaid–A Musical Adventure,†a theatrical production brings Ariel’s undersea world to life with puppetry, vibrant sets and iconic songs. Over at
EPCOT
, visitors can look for the new
Spaceship Earth Lounge
, as well as the newly reimagined
Test Track Presented by General Motors
.
Magic Kingdom
will have an all-new nighttime parade come summer, “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away†and a
Pirates of the Caribbean
-inspired tavern in late 2025.
• Opening this spring is
SeaWorld Orlando’s
newest indoor attraction, the
Arctic
flying theater, set to take families soaring over icy landscapes, diving beneath frozen waters and coming face-to-face
with some of the planet’s most magnificent creatures.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
•
The
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
has announced
The Gantry at LC-39
, slated to open in early 2025. The attraction is accessible via the
Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour
, offering an unprecedented 360-degree view of Kennedy Space Center and active launch pads, as well as a range of immersive exhibits and experiences.
Contact Information
VISIT FLORIDA:
visitflorida.com
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DISNEY IFC
COVER
EXPLORA JOURNEYS
Table of Contents
WEBINAR HOUSE AD
Editor's Notes
EDU HOUSE AD
Industry Insights: Family Travel:Creating Lasting Memories Across Generations Destiny
Advisor Speak: Fora—Making Huge Waves Across the Industry
Cruise: Set Sail Around the World—From Kid-Friendly Cruises to Alaska Adventures
OCEANIA SC
OCEANIA FP
PRINCESS SC
PRINCESS CRUISES
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
REGENT SEVEN SEAS SC
VIRGIN VOYAGES
VIRGIN VOYAGES SC
DISNEY CRUISE LINE SC
EXPLORA JOURNEYS SC
Onboard Review: Multigenerational Adventure on AmaWaterways
Onboard Review: Azamara—It's A Family Affair
North America: Florida—Powerhouse Tourism Destination
ACADEMY TRAVEL SC
ACADEMY TRAVEL
FORT MYERS SC
Fort Myers Islands, Beaches & Neighborhoods
Onsite Review: Ocala—A Feast of Natural Wonders & Historic Charm
Caribbean/Mexico: Beachcombers Bliss—Finding the Perfect Family Beach Retreat
Villa Retreats
LIVE AQUA SC
SANDALS
SANDALS SC
Onsite Review: Sun, Slides & Smiles: Family Fun at Sunscape Coco Punta Cana
Europe & Asia: 3 Ultimate Getaways
TTC Tour Brands SC
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