BOCA RATON, FL (March 15, 2010)-The Boca Raton Bridge Hotel–one of Palm Beach County’s iconic boutique waterfront hotels–and its two signature restaurants has embarked on a multi-million dollar transformation initiative to renovate and reposition of the 121-room hotel known for its unparalleled ocean and Intracoastal views from every guest room and two of the most popular restaurants in Palm Beach County: Carmen’s, Top of The Bridge, an a la carte fine dining and dancing venue with sweeping panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway and home to one of the region’s finest Sunday Brunches, and WaterColors Restaurant & Bar, the only open-to-the-public on-the-water dining in Boca Raton.
Under the direction of The Bridge General Manager Greg Kaylor, the improvements to the hotel and the transformation plan underway to restore the property – which features a balcony in every guest room – to a four-star status are scheduled for completion in approximately 18 months. The renovation of WaterColors Restaurant & Bar has been completed with major renovations to Carmen’s Restaurant, the property entrance which will boast a new grand “sense of arrival” and streetside entry monument set amidst a new lush and majestic landscape, hotel lobby, front desk, meeting rooms, guestrooms and commercial space, and marina enhancement program are now in design stages and will advance with construction in the immediate future.
Kaylor, who has served in the hospitality industry for more than 35 years, has a diverse background in all facets of the lodging industry. Prior to joining The Boca Raton Bridge Hotel, he spent nearly 19 years with Miami-based TECTON Hospitality and Desires Hotels, the Boutique division of TECTON. Serving tenures as Vice President of Operations, and Director of Operations while with TECTON, Kaylor held direct operational oversight responsibilities for more than 100 properties both Franchised and Independent hotels throughout the United States and the Caribbean, including The Boca Raton Bridge Hotel from 2005 to 2007. Properties ranged from two-diamond to five-star, branded and independent hotels including luxury boutique operations, condo golf resorts and island resort properties.
Tapped by Kaylor for the renovation initiative are two internationally known Boca Raton-based design leaders: Deborah Frustino of Mountainside Design for interior design and appointments of all lobby and public spaces, meeting rooms, guest rooms, and Carmen’s, and Retzsch Lanao Caycedo/RLC Architects for the development of architectural design and planning for the new reoriented grand entrance and other structural design transformation elements, including a new streetside monument entry statement, proposed marina enhancement plan, etc.
“The new ambiance will be a total renaissance for the iconic Bridge property,” notes Frustino. “It will imbue an edgy chic look, infused with inviting comfort, visually engaging water elements, and playful architectural nuances designed to invite movement and interaction, all set among varying textures, rich woods, natural stone and colored glass, with refreshing and invigorating watercolor tones.”
Her hotel/resort and luxury residential projects have included Inn at Key West; Cheeca Lodge and Spa in Islamorada, Florida; Inn at Jackson Hole Lodge and the Wagon Wheel in Jackson, Wyoming; The Lodge at Jackson Hole; Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska; and The Snake River Lodge and Spa Hotel and their hotel condos. Restaurant projects have included The Grateful Palate in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Café at The Inn, Key West, Florida; Vertical Restaurant at Teton Village, Wyoming; and Nikia Restaurant in Jackson, Wyoming.
According to Juan Caycedo, principal of RLC Architects, a longtime local favorite of community and visitors alike, “The Bridge will now greet its guests with a refreshing and engaging signature welcome.” RLC Architects projects include Divi Hotels in St. Croix, St. Martin, and St. Thomas, Aruba Phoenix Beach Hotel, Palmetto Park Hotels, and Royal Palm Place, and the FAU Alumni Center in Boca Raton, Florida.
The Bridge Hotel has been refinanced with a commitment to invest substantial dollars into improvements to the hotel resulting in the current 18-month strategic renovation and repositioning initiative to restore the property to a four-star status as a “small luxury boutique” hotel.
The Boca Raton Bridge Hotel is located at 999 East Camino Real, Boca Raton FL 33432-6311. For reservations and information about this pet-friendly, all-balcony waterfront hotel, call (561) 368-9500 or toll-free (866) 909-2622, or visit www.bocaratonbridgehotel.com.
