WHAT'S NEW

South Florida is all about revitalization. In less than a decade, a downtrodden section of Miami Beach was transformed into one of the hippest, most happening spots for nightlife in the country — South Beach. New hotel construction and major renovations continue to add to the accommodations menu.

On the facilities front, Miami Beach's Jackie Gleason Theater recently completed a $4.1 million facelift. To enhance the beach experience, the city completed Beachwalk, a $3.8 million public access recreational trail/walkway with entrance points from the streets to the beach. Miami attractions are also on the move. Parrot Jungle Island has a new location, an 18.6-acre park between downtown Miami and South Beach, and the Miami Seaquarium, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, completed a $3 million renovation. The exclusive Bal Harbor shops have completed a $4.5 million redesign and added 13 stores.

Equally impressive is Fort Lauderdale's transformation from a spring break stop to an upscale meeting and incentive destination. The high-end development surge continues as St. Regis is set to debut its property there in a few months, and a W Hotel is slated to open next year. Donald Trump has announced plans to build two hotel developments on the beach.

One of the most dynamic regions in South Florida is Palm Beach County, which debuted a stunning 350,000-square-foot convention center last year. More than $1.5 billion has been invested in downtown West Palm Beach over the past decade, including an additional $25 million for a waterfront facelift over the next two years. Palm Beach International Airport is on a growth pattern, as evidenced by a 14 percent increase in available airline seats since 2000. The airport has embarked on a $26.3 million renovation plan.

In the Keys, Key West International Airport is building a $24 million, 45,000-square-foot terminal that is expected to open in 2007, while in Naples, a new 28-gate terminal at the Southwest Florida International Airport is scheduled to open later this year.

FACILITY UPDATE

GREATER MIAMI

• A new, 12,000-square-foot spa will debut this summer at the 280-room BILT-MORE HOTEL.

• Due to open later this year is CANYON RANCH LIVING in Miami Beach. It is a seven-acre oceanfront property that will feature 151 condo-hotel suites and a Canyon Ranch spa.

• The 203-room CONRAD MIAMI in downtown opened last year. The hotel has eight meeting rooms, ranging in size from 324 square feet to 1,722 square feet, and a 3,869-square-foot ballroom.

• DON SHULA'S HOTEL & GOLF CLUB in Miami Lakes is undergoing a $2 million facelift and will debut its new Aveda Spa this summer.

• The 392-room FAIRMONT TURNBERRY ISLE RESORT & CLUB in Aventura has 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space, two 18-hole golf courses, 19 tennis courts, and a European-style spa.

• The ultra-luxurious 91-room HOTEL VICTOR recently opened on Ocean Drive in South Beach. The hotel is managed by Hyatt.

• The 210-unit LE MERIDIEN SUNNY ISLE BEACH, a luxury property near the Bal Harbour shops, opened this spring. Accommodations include 126 one-bedroom suites and 80 two-bedroom suites.

• The 645-room SHERATON BAL HARBOR BEACH RESORT, with 50,000 square feet of meeting space, including 24 meeting rooms, is set on 10 acres of tropical gardens across from the Bal Harbour shops.

• Marriott International has assumed management of the 692-room DORAL GOLF RESORT AND SPA. Plans call for a $40 million, three-year enhancement that will include a 65,000-square-foot ballroom facility, renovations to the restaurants, and additional meeting space.

• The 216-room FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON MIAMI BEACH recently completed a $2 million renovation.

• Slated to open this fall is the 80-room, $76 million REGENT SOUTH BEACH hotel.

• Sonesta International Hotels Corp. plans to develop an ultra-luxury hotel on the beachfront site of the SONESTA BEACH RESORT IN KEY BISCAYNE. The existing resort will continue to operate until at least August 2006. Development of the new 350-room resort will likely commence in fall 2006.

• Turnberry Associates recently announced an agreement to purchase the 1,206-room FONTAINEBLEAU RESORT on Miami Beach. The developer has $150 million in renovations and changes planned, including new restaurant operators and nightclub entertainment.

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE

• Scheduled for completion this summer, THE BONAVENTURE RESORT & SPA is undergoing a $90 million renovation that includes refurbishment of guest rooms, meeting space, and public areas and the addition of a Golden Door Spa.

• The 637-room HARBOR BEACH MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA completed a $4 million renovation of its 30,000-square-foot meeting facilities and outdoor function space.

• Opened in January, the 180-room PELICAN BEACH RESORT features an oceanfront rooftop venue for events.

• Slated to open in fall 2006 is the Q CLUB RESORT & RESIDENCES (managed by Hilton), a 25-story, 333-unit property with a 2,700-square-foot ballroom, fitness center, fine-dining restaurant, and spa.

• The $200 million SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & RESORT opened late last year in Hollywood with 500 rooms, a 130,000-square-foot casino, a spa, and 100,000 square feet of meeting space.

• A December opening is planned for Florida's first St. Regis, the 24-story ST. REGIS RESORT, FORT LAUDERDALE. Major features of the $135 million luxury property include 166 guest rooms and suites, an air-conditioned elevated walkway to the beach, 14,000 square feet of meeting space, a 20,000-square-foot European-style spa, and a grand stairway entrance that faces the Atlantic Ocean.

• Donald Trump has two luxury condo hotel developments planned on Fort Lauderdale Beach. TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWER FORT LAUDERDALE, expected to open early 2007, is a 24-story building designed by Michael Graves & Associates that will resemble a 1925 luxury cruise liner and feature 298 furnished one- and two-bedroom suites, a spa, a pool, and fine dining. Also planned is TRUMP INTERNATIONAL BEACH CLUB.

• Scheduled for a December 2006 debut, the $220 million, 346-room W FORT LAUDERDALE HOTEL AND RESIDENCES will offer 13,000 square feet of meeting space and a 10,000-square-foot spa.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

• The 1,041-unit BOCA RATON RESORT & CLUB, with 146,000 square feet of meeting space, recently added wireless Internet access in all public areas.

• The 560-room BREAKERS PALM BEACH completed a $6 million enhancement of its Breakers West course and renamed it The Breakers Rees Jones Course.

• The RITZ-CARLTON, PALM BEACH has embarked on a $25 million, multiphase renovation and expansion that will include a redesign of its 270 guest rooms and technology upgrades.

FLORIDA KEYS

• The 216-room DOUBLETREE GRAND KEY RESORT in Key West opened a 3,500-square-foot conference center last year.

• The 177-room HAWK'S CAY RESORT on Duck Key recently introduced a new spa and 26 new two-bedroom units in Sanctuary Village.

• The 200-unit OCEAN REEF CLUB in Key Largo has debuted an 11,000-square-foot meeting complex, including a 7,500-square-foot ballroom.

• The CHEECA LODGE & SPA in Islamorada has added a 5,000-square-foot spa, renovated its Jack Nicklaus — designed par-3 golf course, and refurbished its 201 guest rooms.

NAPLES AREA

• The new 18-hole Raymond Floyd — designed Raptor Bay golf course is now open at HYATT REGENCY COCONUT POINT in Bonita Springs.

• The 100-suite MARCO BEACH OCEAN RESORT expanded its meeting space, for a total of 10,000 square feet.

• The 727-room MARCO ISLAND MARRIOTT RESORT GOLF CLUB & SPA has opened a 24,000-square-foot spa.

• The 463-room REGISTRY RESORT & CLUB competed a $12 million expansion that added nine meeting rooms totaling 6,500 square feet, bringing total meeting space to 45,000 square feet.

ASK THE CVB

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CVB
(954) 765-4466; www.sunny.org
Total Hotel Tax: 11%

FLORIDA KEYS & KEY WEST CVB
(800) Ask-Keys; www.fla-keys.com
Total Hotel Tax: 11%

GREATER MIAMI CVB
(305) 539-3000; www.gmcvb.com
Total Hotel Tax: 13%

GREATER NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND AND THE EVERGLADES CVB
(800) 688-3600
www.classicflorida.com
Total Hotel Tax: 9%

PALM BEACH COUNTY CVB
(561) 233-3000
www.palmbeachfl.com
Total Hotel Tax: 10%

PHANTOM PLANNER

• The Palm Beach Inter-national Airport was recently touted by USA Today as one of the “Ten Great Places to Hang Out During a Layover.” The article called attention to the putting greens inside the terminal.

• Palm Beach is one of the best places to see world-class polo from January to March at four venues: Palm Beach Polo and International Polo Club in Wellington, Gulfstream Polo in Lake Worth, and Royal Palm Polo in Boca Raton.

• One of the most enjoyable and stress-free ways to travel from Fort Lauderdale to Miami is by water taxi. Service from Fort Lauderdale to South Beach is available on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The route passes million-dollar mansions, hotels, and restaurants.

• Small groups using corporate jets or chartered private planes can land at the Florida Keys Marathon Airport, which has a $9 million terminal and affords easy access to all sections of the Florida Keys.

Special Venues

• The BASS MUSEUM OF ART, in the heart of Miami's ART DECO DISTRICT, features an outstanding permanent collection of art and international exhibits. The facility accommodates 400 for receptions and 140 for a seated function; the outdoor sculpture garden can host 300 for a reception. (305) 673-7530; www.bassmuseum.org

• CASA CASUARINA on SOUTH BEACH, formerly known as the Versace mansion, is now a private club available for corporate and social functions. The Safari Suite holds 80 for a reception; the Mosaic Garden and Pool can handle 450 for an outdoor reception. (305) 672-6604; www.casacasuarina.com

• STRIKE MIAMI, recently opened at the DOLPHIN MALL, is a 37,000-square-foot complex featuring 34 lanes of glow-in-the-dark bowling in a nightclub-like setting. Venue choices include a full-service restaurant serving Latin cuisine, plush lounges, and private party rooms accommodating 350. (305) 594-0200; www.strikemiami.com