Dave Curtis, Managing Partner of LNW Hospitality; Julian Buffam, Principal of New Castle Hotels & Resorts; Jones Hooks, Executive Director of the Jekyll Island Authority
by: JJ Singh
Yesterday, LNW Hospitality and its partner, New Castle Hotels & Resorts, broke ground on a new Courtyard / Residence Inn Jekyll Island, slated to open by the summer of 2021. The hotel features 209 rooms, the largest pool in Jekyll island, a large hot tub, a splash pad for children, fire pits, a Bistro restaurant, an indoor/outdoor bar and restaurant, a fitness center, and 2,600 square feet of meeting space.
“We’ve carefully designed the hotel to provide a seamless, unforgettable guest experience,” said Dave Curtis Managing Partner of LNW Hospitality. “LNW Hospitality has a 35-year track record of success on Jekyll Island, first in restoring the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, as well as developing the Hampton Inn, Westin, and Jekyll Ocean Club. We’re pleased to partner again with New Castle Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International, and the Jekyll Island Authority, to create this stunning new getaway.”
East Elevation, Courtyard / Residence Inn Jekyll Island
“A dual-brand gives guests more choice in accommodation but minimizes overhead through shared resources, which is especially advantageous in a seasonal resort,” noted Julian Buffam, principal, New Castle Hotels and Resorts, which will operate the hotel upon completion. “The rich amenity package offered by Residence Inn and Courtyard by Marriott make both brands particularly popular with leisure travelers and convention goers. These brands will be exactly the right addition to Jekyll’s family-friendly product mix.”
Construction Crew
A barrier island off the coast of Georgia, Jekyll Island became a tourist destination for the richest families in America in the late 1800s. Over the last 15 years, over $200 million in public and private investment has been made on the island. Today, Jekyll Island is home to eight hotels, a world-class convention center, and numerous amenities to support tourism on the island. Ranked as the number one place to go for a vacation by Money Magazine in 2019, Jekyll Island is a celebrated destination. Over the last five years, the number of visitors to the island has grown by six percent per year.
“Responsible development is always at the core of our decision making, to ensure we do not overdevelop for the sake of additional lodging,” said C. Jones Hooks, Executive Director of the Jekyll Island Authority. “It’s important to understand that even with these additional 209 rooms from the new Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott, we' will still be 100 rooms below historic ‘peak hotel room’ capacity numbers for the island, ensuring we continue to maintain the island’s natural character. This project embodies our goal of welcoming new and different kinds of visitors, including business travelers and families, while remaining committed to conservation and stewardship of the island’s delicate balance.”