The Suite Spot Highlight Collection takes viewers to sunny Key West within the latest episode, that includes the lavish and beachside resort, Casa Marina Key West by Hilton!
Particular visitor and Lodge Supervisor at Casa Marina, Evelyn Summer time, joins the podcast to share the property’s wealthy historical past, perception on the $90 million resort renovation, and the way a robust digital presence on social media and visitor evaluation platforms performs a pivotal function in connecting with vacationers worldwide.
Ryan Embree:Welcome to Suite Spot, the place hoteliers examine in, and we try what’s trending in resort advertising. I’m your host, Ryan Embee. Whats up everybody. Ryan Embree right here with the Suite Spot. We’re right here with our Suite Spot Highlight collection, and what I’d argue goes to be the southern most episode we ever do on this Highlight collection. We’ll clarify in a second, I’m gonna herald my visitor, Evelyn Summer time, Lodge Supervisor of Casa Marina, Key West Curio Assortment by Hilton. Evelyn, thanks a lot for being with me on the podcast.
Evelyn Summer time:Thanks for having me, Ryan.
Ryan Embree:Properly, thanks for inviting me right here to this unimaginable property. We’re gonna speak all about it, however earlier than, as custom on the Suite Spot, we’d love to listen to from hospitality professionals, their journey, their background. That is like each resort skilled’s dream to be at a property like this. How’d you get right here?
Evelyn Summer time:Ryan, you stated that it’s your Southern most broadcast, however it’s additionally the perfect broadcast. You’re gonna should. That’s true. I imply, come on, have a look at the place we’re at. How did I get right here? Properly, enjoyable truth. I’m from Key West. Okay. Yeah. So my household originates from down right here. My grandfather’s from Key Largo, my mom’s from down right here. And I’ve been right here my complete life. To not say that I haven’t moved and, you recognize, went to varsity, labored in a few totally different areas, however I’ve been in Key West for about 90% of my life. Yeah. And began working right here at these two properties most likely in 2008. Nonetheless, enjoyable truth is that every one of our highschool proms and homecomings and household labored right here. There’s lots of it. It was additional again than 2008. Certain. Once I truly formally grew to become employed. So I can simply say that I grew up right here.
Ryan Embree:Yeah. We hear that on a regular basis from hoteliers is like them truly residing within the resort generally. And you’ve got like your complete historical past right here and now right here you’re making extra reminiscences for visitors all around the globe. Very, very cool to see. And this property is iconic. It’s received a historical past courting again to the Twenties. We’re gonna speak in regards to the latest renovation and transformation that it simply had, however speak to us, to our listeners in regards to the origin story of this property and its historical past.
Evelyn Summer time:Certain. Yeah. So Casa Marina was constructed, opened in 1920 New 12 months’s Eve, 1920 to be precise. It was constructed by Henry Flagler. He was an industrialist that constructed the railroad that connects primarily New York all the best way right down to the southernmost level. And attention-grabbing truth is that Henry and his companions have been the primary to create the, and I’m not a railroad specialist, however the railroads that might connect with different railroad strains manner, manner, manner again. Every time somebody would constructed a railroad, that was it. That monitor was simply their monitor and also you couldn’t interconnect it with another person’s monitor Yeah. And use theirs. And he was capable of create that. After which his dream was to construct a method to get individuals all the best way right down to Key West. So he constructed us one, the previous bridges that you just see while you’re touring right down to get individuals on a prepare all the best way right down to Key West. After which in fact, as soon as he figured that out, they wanted a spot to remain. So Casa Marina was it. And that’s about 105 years in the past.
Ryan Embree:I imply, I believe that’s completely unimaginable. I imply, the truth that we’re speaking in regards to the origin of connecting railroads and aligning with the historical past of this, of this house, however there’s been definitely a bridge from its previous to the place it’s proper now. With these transformations and up to date renovations. Speak to us slightly bit in regards to the work that’s been completed, among the suggestions you’re listening to from visitors.
Evelyn Summer time:Yeah, in fact. So we not too long ago completed, a $90 million renovation of the complete resort. Unimaginable. And that included every thing from our meals and beverage retailers which we’re sitting in now to our visitor rooms. Each facility within the resort was addressed, and it’s simply completely improbable. They did an exquisite job of creating positive to not get away from kind of the previous appeal that’s caina. It is without doubt one of the oldest buildings on the island, however so as to add in some newer touches that actually make it elevated and make the visitor expertise actually fantastic. So we have now model new restaurant, which we’re sitting in now, ADA, which is simply completely improbable. It’s right here proper on the ocean entrance as you possibly can hear it within the background from sitting on the seashore to have dinner, to sitting on the bar, to only having an everyday lunch and lunch when you have been out in your pool chair or seashore chair. It’s simply actually, actually improbable. After which in fact, our visitor rooms like simply, I imply, I could be biased, however they’re the perfect on the island. They’re the perfect on the island. We’ve got some model new ocean entrance suites the place you will be in your suite after which 5 seconds stroll out immediately out of your room to the seashore. And the ocean is, you recognize, 35 ft away. You actually can’t, there’s, you possibly can’t evaluate it to most likely the rest in america. It’s completely fantastic.
Ryan Embree:It was unimaginable. Once more, I had the, the privilege of of happening a tour and to additionally see a notice to its historical past, native aptitude. There have been some artists that have been curated some artwork for this latest renovation as nicely.
Evelyn Summer time:So our structure and design group, they partnered collectively and did such a very nice job with touches. As you’ve talked about, there are about three or 4 native artists that ended up having their items both in each single visitor room or sprinkled all through the resort. After which we additionally in fact, enable the visitor a possibility to have the ability to buy or promote these artists right here in our present store or across the resort. And like Key West Pottery, is without doubt one of the gents. He does some actually nice artwork items that’s not simply pottery, but in addition he paints and issues like that, and everybody kind of is aware of about them. And so it was actually cool to have the ability to get his stuff, a few his work. And so they’re actually funky. Like, whether or not it’s a rooster that’s sort of like bizarre cartoonish wanting, or one thing to that nature which can be in each single visitor room. And it simply kind of actually add into the flare of Key West, however matches the structure and appeal that also retains it, you recognize, as such an previous historic and comfortable, if you’ll, constructing.
Ryan Embree:And I believe that’s the good piece about it. I imply, you concentrate on a property that’s been round for over 100 years, you’ve gotten households which have generations which have been coming to this property and with the ability to say he wanna modernize this constructing, but in addition not lose its appeal and native artwork and aptitude. It’s so wonderful and Key West, simply an unimaginable historic location. For these listeners, viewers that haven’t been to Key West earlier than, sort of paint an image of the place this property is positioned compared Key West.
Evelyn Summer time:After all. So Key West, nicely, we are able to begin out by speaking about like, what’s the vibe of Key West? I really feel like a few individuals, you recognize, when you requested a couple of totally different individuals, they’d provide you with a very totally different reply. And it relies on perhaps when was the final time you visited or what you have been coming right here for. Initially, we’re within the Caribbean. We’re on the southern most level of america, however we’re in the course of the ocean and the stones throw away from a few Caribbean islands. And in order that’s good. Proper? In case you’re in search of a spot to go, perhaps you don’t essentially have a passport or wanna journey too far overseas, you’re gonna get that Caribbean really feel right here, however you’re nonetheless in america. However Key West has, over time, and I can confidently communicate to this being that I’ve been right here a very long time, we gained’t say how previous I’m, however it’s most likely older than you suppose. It’s such a well-rounded, whether or not you’re coming right here to social gathering on Duval Avenue, whether or not you’re coming right here to only chill out on the seashore, whether or not you’re coming right here for artwork and meals, whether or not you’re bringing your loved ones. And that doesn’t matter in the event that they’re younger children or youngsters, there’s so many issues to do. It’s such a welcoming place. Like Key West Metropolis motto is one human household. Like, you recognize, it doesn’t matter what stroll of life you come from, whether or not you’re a southerner who simply likes to return down and take a look at meals, otherwise you’re from New York Metropolis or, you recognize, it simply doesn’t matter. It’s one thing for everybody down right here. And everybody all the time has a very good time and kind of goes again pondering, I can’t wait to return. Yeah. The realm of the island that the Key West, the Key West the resort is in Key West, which is only a couple blocks off of Duval Avenue, which is good since you may suppose like, I wanna be down within the combine. Like I don’t wanna should stroll too far. Proper. However we’re on the Atlantic aspect of the island. It’s a couple of 10 minute stroll to get to say the southernmost level or the West east finish of Duval Avenue and makes for an ideal getaway. So you possibly can nonetheless be shut sufficient to stroll fast, Uber, lease a motorcycle, you are able to do no matter you recognize, we nonetheless have all of the enjoyable get round Key West ways in which everybody’s used to, however you’re away from the hustle and bustle. You’re not in the course of like, let’s say you don’t benefit from the 3:00 AM crowd. Proper. You’d come right here and you’ll do not know Duval Avenue’s good across the nook. Proper. However you’re nonetheless shut sufficient. We’ve got the most important yard. I prefer to say in Key West, a few of it’s behind us. There are only a few, if any, lodges that truly have an actual seashore in Key West. And I believe that that may deter some people who perhaps have by no means been right here and are wanting into touring to Key West, however not realizing that we truly do have a seashore and it’s the most important one outdoors of, you recognize, a metropolis seashore or one thing like that you just may journey to. And double profit about staying right here is that you’ve got entry to our sister property as nicely. The attain resort. And the Attain has the one pure seashore in Key West. Which suggests it’s naturally made kind of perhaps extra used to what you may go to in, say, alongside the coast of Florida the place it, though we don’t have lots of crashing waves down right here in Florida in Key West, we have now a pure sand over on the Attain, which is fantastic as nicely. So you may get the perfect of each worlds.
Ryan Embree:Properly, I believe you’ve completed an exquisite job of portray an image, once more, whether or not you’re right here with your loved ones, whether or not you’re right here for group journey, whether or not you come down right here to you recognize, get loopy on Duval. You actually can sort of have all of it simply on the, you recognize, couple steps away out of your resort room and this lovely property. I wanna speak about among the facilities. You already talked about the most important personal seashore on Key West. What are among the different facilities if a visitor did wish to sort of keep on web site?
Evelyn Summer time:Properly, we have now some actually nice choices. You may come right here and examine in, though I don’t advocate it. You may by no means go away. Like you can simply keep on the resort. I imply, and the rationale I say I don’t advocate it’s ’trigger you gotta go see Key West. I imply, you possibly can’t come and say and see a couple of various things across the island. It’s such a novel place. However we have now a spa right here on web site, which gives lots of totally different companies. I extremely advocate establishing a therapeutic massage on our seashore aspect, cabanas within the morning. It’s identical to unreal. They’re about 25 ft from the shoreline and you recognize, you simply hear the waves crashing. It’s earlier than, you recognize, it’s not so scorching and never lots of people are awake but and also you’re simply laying there getting a therapeutic massage and the birds are chirping. No sound machine wanted. There’s, you possibly can simply hear the pure. It’s completely fantastic. And so they do have indoor choices as nicely for those who can be extra snug contained in the spa. We even have a water sports activities vendor right here on property, barefoot Billies. He gives every thing that you can probably wanna do, whether or not it’s on the water, on the shoreline. He has bike leases, scooter leases. You may lease golf carts to get across the resort. You may take snorkeling excursions or sundown excursions immediately right here from our dock.
Ryan Embree:We noticed a pair snorkelers out right here. A pair jet skis fly by within the background too.
Evelyn Summer time:Yeah, and Billy is the originator of the world well-known island jet ski tour, which takes you, it’s 90 minutes and takes you all the best way across the islands. It’s a guided tour. Extremely advocate doing that as a result of it’s actually essentially the most enjoyable method to see the complete island, if you’ll. They take you all the best way round. It’s actually, actually cool. In order that’s an enormous plus, proper? Since you positively wanna attempt to get out on the water, be part of the ecosystem when you’re down right here. Let’s see. We’ve got, we already talked about Dorada slightly bit, an exquisite restaurant which gives you lunch and dinner. After all, Flagler’s breakfast is improbable within the mornings and our pool and seashores. So you can keep right here for a number of days and by no means hand around in the identical spot. Each, like, you can select a unique spot to be your hangout spot, whether or not it’s at one of many swimming pools in one in every of our cabanas, at one of many finish of the seashore and a daybed. After which the subsequent day you can go down and you recognize, get a few chairs within the umbrella by the ocean. You actually, there’s lots of house to hang around and never really feel kind of prefer it’s repetitive after so many days and that you just’re doing the identical factor.
Ryan Embree:And to talk to, you recognize, the range once more of traveler that may accommodate right here. You’ve received two swimming pools right here, proper? Household pool doll solely pool. Yep. So once more, you recognize, it’s precisely what you have been saying. After which while you’re completed right here, you possibly can simply go head right down to the sister property and never too far and revel in.
Evelyn Summer time:Yeah. And the meals over there’s improbable as nicely. The Attain can be a hit and it’s good. It’s very nice. And the identical goes for each correct. We’re sister properties, so, you recognize, lots of us that work right here, cowl each lodges, which actually makes for like an added amenity. For both visitor which you could go over and you’ll cost again to your room over there. In case you have been to spend the day on the pool and have drinks and lunch, you possibly can cost again to your room. Billy has a small setup over there as nicely, which additionally has some totally different kind of seashore toys, if you’ll, that you should utilize. So it’s very nice. It’s very nice that we have now the partnership.
Ryan Embree:You talked about some f and b choices. Private favourite, Evelyn, or what would you say? The place are we going?
Evelyn Summer time:That is exhausting as a result of it’s, our menus are comparatively new Proper. However not too long ago from renovation and opening every thing up. Oh my gosh. Okay. So let’s see. Properly, the important thing lime pie is a will need to have to, and everybody says that when you go wherever in Key West and interviewed anybody, they’d inform you to have their key lime pie. However I’m telling you, there’s one thing about ours that’s identical to, it has been voted greatest on the island. It has gained that award. So I can confidently say that. Let’s see, Chef has a nightly fish particular and so I can’t inform you what it’s ’trigger it’s totally different each night time. However he will get native recent seafood from native business fishermen each single day delivered to the resort and does simply completely thoughts blowing issues with this fish. So whether or not it’s swordfish grouper or mahi, generally you possibly can’t even consider among the substances that he used to make these dishes. Since you simply wouldn’t suppose to place it in that dish. Nevertheless it’s so distinctive and so scrumptious and totally different each night time, which is one other additional advantage. After which I’m a giant pancake woman.
Ryan Embree:Okay.
Evelyn Summer time:And I believe the pancakes of Flaglers, I had them this morning, are actually, actually, actually good.
Ryan Embree:Properly when you ever wish to really feel actually impressed to journey, go to your social media profiles. Instagram, Fb, over 90,000 vacationers already following it. No scarcity of views, no scarcity of nice content material to be sharing. I’m positive your visitors are sharing each single day. It’s most likely exhausting to maintain up with. Speak to us about social media technique and the way that sort of performed into the function of the, the resort.
Evelyn Summer time:We in fact we discovered it extraordinarily essential to kind of deep dive into the social media world, notably after our renovation. We had a lot to indicate off. Yeah, completely. Nice level. And our advertising group proper now could be simply improbable. You spent a while with Abby, in fact, had loads of conversations with Liz, I’m positive. And so they actually have simply honed in on sort of like, and what’s grabbing individuals’s consideration and easy methods to spotlight kind of what the temper is like or what, what are the children saying the vibe is these days for individuals. So we actually simply attempt to seize that and spotlight kind of perhaps issues that folks perhaps aren’t even desirous about or don’t even know that we have now to supply. However staying relative to whoever we’re after, proper. So that you speak about lots of company and group stuff happening. We’ve got a ton of weddings over 150 weddings a yr happen. Between our two properties. It’s rather a lot. Yeah. And the group does a very kill our job. After which simply totally different demographics of people who keep right here.
Ryan Embree:That’s what I used to be gonna communicate to. I imply, I believe in simply the quick time that we’ve had this dialog, I imply there was a lot that you just’ve been speaking about between this property, the renovations, every thing. So Certain. Once more, the no scarcity of content material. Undoubtedly encourage our followers, subscribers, ensure you observe on Instagram, Fb to, to maintain up there. You talked in regards to the weddings and group journey. And I personally, I want some extra of my pals to get married. Let’s do a Key West. Let’s get the corporate down right here. I have to get again right here. Speak by means of that means of group journey, you recognize, weddings how that’s completed and the way it’s actually sort of a white glove service for you.
Evelyn Summer time:After all. So our gross sales and catering group, I imply actually what simply absolute killer group. I imply you possibly can think about it’s, it’s appears straightforward while you have a look at it, notably on social media, however to place off among the occasions that they do and actually coordinate numerous attendees, whether or not we’re speaking a marriage or a company assembly fairly actually in the course of the ocean on an island. It’s not a simple feat they usually actually do a improbable job and provides lots of confidence to those group contacts. And we simply have stellar evaluations. I imply one thing within the 90 percentile of suggestions that we get simply from our company teams alone. However the course of is pretty easy. I imply, nobody ever argues about coming right down to do a web site go to, proper.
Ryan Embree:They’re all the time elevating their palms. Proper. I’ll I am going test it out.
Evelyn Summer time:They’re arguing over who’s gonna come. We do lots of incentive group, you recognize, lots of people that wanna come down right here and rejoice their groups as a result of it’s, you recognize, there’s such a flexible place to carry them and various things that they’ll do. Key West has a golf course. I believe lots of people don’t notice that, which additionally helps with kind of course, you recognize, it, it appears it’s both individuals wanna be within the solar in on the ocean doing one thing lively or on a golf course and that actually helps. However so far as the method goes, I imply, our gross sales and advertising group and occasions group is both out on the highway or in touch with totally different people and getting the location visits scheduled. Individuals come right here, they see what’s happening. And we have now a crew, I imply a crew of people who assist from begin to end. It doesn’t matter whether or not we’re speaking in regards to the smallest element or the most important. I imply, the group actually works nicely collectively in ensuring that we placed on a very nice present for them.
Ryan Embree:And numerous totally different areas on the property as nicely the place you will be versatile, whether or not you’re a smaller group, large group can accommodate.
Evelyn Summer time:Properly let’s face it, we’re within the center. We’re in the course of the ocean, as I’ve stated a few occasions. So there’s climate and that may be a nerve wracking issue for individuals in the event that they’ve deliberate one thing completely outdoors. So we do present backup house for each single occasion that we have now. So I believe that creates a way of aid for perhaps some people who actually aren’t, actually don’t know what may occur. There are such a lot of totally different choices of house, however not solely the house, however the really feel that they’ll present, like no matter that occasion could be. That it actually permits us, we’d not have lots of of hundreds of squares foot of assembly house, like, you recognize, so we perhaps a bigger resort in a bigger metropolis, however out of doors house shouldn’t be counted as as assembly house, however we use it as assembly house. And so it permits us to have the ability to provide so many various choices. I imply, if somebody wished to return and take over a complete aspect of the, be like every thing behind us, together with the garden, they may, they may. And that gives simply so many various choices and enjoyable.
Evelyn Summer time:Proper. Even right down to a really intimate, you recognize, setting to the place you’re feeling such as you could be the one ones on property. So, and that’s what you search for is, is that flexibility while you’re planning to accommodate, you recognize, it doesn’t matter what your vibe is as you’re chatting with
Evelyn Summer time:We’re so, what’s it? Gen Z or Gen z, Ryan, my children can be so pleased with me.
Ryan Embree:And also you and your group have completed a fantastic job, Evelyn clearly nationally acknowledged by Forbes, Journey and Leisure. You might have numerous Hilton Circle of wonderful winners. What does this imply to you as resort supervisor, to kinda see these recognitions?
Evelyn Summer time:Ryan, I say it on a regular basis. I don’t do something right here. I don’t do something. I actually don’t. I, these people who work right here have a lot ardour. They love their jobs. They put one another and the visitor first. And I don’t imply to say this in a, it doesn’t shock me. Yeah. Just like the variety of issues that we have now. And I don’t imply that in a cocky manner, however extra in a, like, it’s so particular to be in a single a spot like this, however to work with individuals who perform like a household, a great functioning household and genuinely love being right here and doing their jobs. And I believe that every thing else that occurs on account of that’s simply icing on the cake and considerably like straightforward. Does that make sense? I imply, absolute their job isn’t straightforward, however pay attention, we have now, I believe the best variety of Circle of Excellence winners out of a lot of the Hilton lodges. It’s unimaginable. And so they’re acknowledged. They get to go on these improbable journeys because of this, which is basically all the time so thrilling for them. As a result of they work actually exhausting all yr spherical. After which they get to go do one thing enjoyable with their colleagues. However then Hilton. After which in fact, you recognize, the awards and recognition that you just talked about earlier, whether or not it’s Forbes or the record goes on of locations that we’ve been both nominated or gained. It’s very humbling.
Ryan Embree:It’s a fantastic testomony to, you recognize, particularly with you, you talked in regards to the monetary, $90 million renovation put into the testomony to see that visitor suggestions are available in and see that that love sort of shine by means of on-line and you recognize, by means of phrase of mouth too. As a result of once more, it is a historic property most likely holds a particular place in lots of people’s hearts. Each locals like your self and other people traveler, you recognize, vacationers everywhere in the world the place this could be their first time. So talking of it, it’s the summer time season. The children are outta college, individuals are able to journey. Certain you’re able to host them. So that you’ve received this Passport to Paradise bundle. Speak to us slightly bit about that and what visitors should look ahead this summer time at Casa Marina.
Evelyn Summer time:Properly, you don’t want a passport to return to Key West. All it’s a must to do is go browsing and e-book Casa Marina resort.com. Passport to Paradise is a summer time portion that we have now happening. Summertime’s a very nice time to return down right here. I believe lots of people perhaps have extra choices of the place they may journey, particularly inside america ’trigger a lot of the nation is heat they usually might journey lots of totally different locations. However if you’re in search of considerably of a Caribbean area, however perhaps not desirous to have to make use of a passport or go too far on an airplane or perhaps you’re in Florida and it’s only a fast drive, we do have that promotion happening. It’s 20% off. And you then additionally get a $50 day by day resort credit score added to your room. So might use that for some drinks by the pool or any of the facilities that we have now right here on the island that we’ve talked about. There you go. After which key lime pie. Yeah, key lime pie. You may have, I don’t even know what number of key lime pies with that credit score, however you can. After which you possibly can’t beat 20% off. I imply, actually, it’s actually sort of the perfect time to journey down right here from a fee perspective.
Ryan Embree:And also you don’t simply should journey by automobile both. In case you’re in Florida, we flew down right here, you recognize, fairly fast. Much more flights coming into the airport that appears to be rising. I’m positive you’re gonna be welcoming much more visitors because the summer time. After which, you recognize, even we get these snowboards slightly bit later within the yr. So, you recognize, as we wrap up right now’s episode clearly Lodge Supervisor for Casa Marina, you recognize, what do you hope and really feel when vacationers go away? They try, they’re headed again to wherever they’re. What do you hope they are saying and really feel about their expertise right here?
Evelyn Summer time:I hope that they really feel like they expertise one thing actually particular as a result of Key West is actually particular. And I hope they go speak about it. In case you wanna know what they are saying, I hope that they are saying that that was probably the greatest holidays, if not the perfect trip they’ve ever had. I hope that a few of our group members left some lasting impressions with them that they’ll carry with them. We’ve got so many particular, particular people who work right here that really care. And I believe that reveals, and there’s actually no place like us. There’s a motive why a few of us don’t go away. I hope that they’re able to take slightly little bit of piece, slightly piece of that with them and e-book a return journey as a result of this place simply retains getting higher.
Ryan Embree:Properly it’s such a historic place and you recognize, once more, hopefully these tales shared, you recognize, turns into part of the magic that’s down right here in Key West. And, and, you recognize, congratulations to you and your group on, on the latest renovations. Thanks for welcoming the Suite Spot too. Casa Marina, you’ve gotten an exquisite property right here, unimaginable employees as we talked about. Uh, any ultimate ideas as we wrap up right now?
Evelyn Summer time:No, I recognize you guys coming down. We’re so joyful to have you ever. Um, and uh, wanting ahead to seeing the present broadcasted. And, uh, once more, you stated that is the Southern most broadcast, however it’s positively gonna be the perfect one you’ve had. ’trigger that is the Suite Spot, Ryan. Yeah, that is it proper right here.
Ryan Embree:I find it irresistible. All proper. Properly, Evelyn, thanks a lot for becoming a member of me on the Suite Spot. Thanks for listening and we are going to speak to you subsequent time To affix our loyalty program. You should definitely subscribe and provides us a 5 star score on iTunes. Suite Spot is produced by Journey Media Group. Our editor is Brandon Bell with Cowl Artwork by Bary Gordon. I’m your host Ryan Embee, and we hope you loved your keep.
