Florida’s Emerald Coast welcomed a new meeting property last month when Henderson Beach Resort opened in Destin. Adjacent to the 208-acre Henderson Beach State Park, the resort features 170 guest rooms and suites, and 30,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space
“We are thrilled to open our doors to our thoughtfully designed hotel and welcome guests to experience our warm hospitality and comfortable luxury in such a vibrant and storied coastal city,” says Douglas Hustad, general manager of Henderson Beach Resort.
Reminiscent of a grand seaside manor of yesteryear, Henderson’s architecture complements its stunning natural backdrop with striking shingles, steep gabled rooflines and a nod to the region’s nautical history. Besides sugar-white sand and emerald-green water, the resort features a nature-inspired spa, Gulf-to-table cuisine, a bar with panoramic Gulf views and two swimming pools.
Henderson Beach Resort is owned by Memphis-based Dunavant Enterprises, Inc., and is managed by Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the management company founded by Sheila C. Johnson. Other Salamander properties in Florida are Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor outside Tampa, Reunion Resort in Kissimmee and Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast.
Streamsong Resort, southeast of Tampa in the Central Florida town of Streamsong, is a golfer’s dream destination. The resort already boasts the 18-hole Streamsong Red and Streamsong Blue courses and will add Streamsong Black next fall. The new course was designed by Gil Hanse, whose resume includes the Olympic Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro. The resort offers 228 guest rooms and suites, and 24,600 sq. ft. of event space.
Amelia Island, voted No. 4 among U.S. Islands in the 2016 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, has two key meeting resorts. The 404-room Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort offers 80,000 sq. ft. of event space. There are three golf courses and a spa. The Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island has 446 guest rooms and more than 48,000 sq. ft. of event space. Guests can enjoy an 18-hole golf course and tennis facility.
“Amelia Island is in very high demand among leisure and meeting travelers alike, which is driving a consistent and steady increase in virtually every performance category and new record highs for several years running,” says Gil Langley, CAE, president and CEO for Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau.
