Hotel reviews

So Many Options

It’s true. If you’re in the market for a South Beach Condos, there are a variety of choices. A few years ago, condo purchases were generally limited to first-time buyers and single professionals. But now, as the baby boomer generation is nearing, or at, retirement age, they’re causing a shift in condominium perspective and development.

The baby boomers have driven housing markets for years. And this year is no exception. An unprecedented demand from the Baby Boom generation has sparked a condo craze in Miami’s South Beach area. As the demand for condos has increased, Developers discovered more and more creative ways to meet the demand. Branching out from the standard apartment-style condos, Developers are now offering hotel and/or resort-style living as well.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a South Beach Condo take a look at your options.

Option #1 - Standard South Beach Condo

Granted, they’re upscale condominiums with many of the same amenities of a resort or hotel. These are properties that were designed to be condos. Prices, of course, vary with location.

The Continuum

This gated community boasts 12 acres of beautiful property that includes fountains, pools, and gardens. The Continuum is 40 stories of condos with 10 ft ceilings and wrap-around balconies. Combine that with valet and concierge services, waiters and fitness trainers, exquisite views and a thousand feet of beach, and you’ve got resort-style living everyday!

There are 15 different floor plans to choose from, ranging in size from 1,200 sq. ft. to 4000 sq. ft. As a resident of the Continuum, you will enjoy door to ceiling sliding glass doors (that meet South Florida building code hurricane standards) that open up to your private balcony, imported marble, Kohler fixtures, whirlpools and more.

Surrounded by beautiful landscaping, the Continuum also has tennis courts, a private spa, pavilions, and four floors of fitness and treatment rooms.

Located at the Southern-most tip of South Beach, the Continuum puts you in the heart of the best that Miami and South Beach have to offer. Prices range from $1,000,000 to $15 million.

Icon

Located in the increasingly popular SoFi area, Icon’s 270 units offer the best of both worlds. World #1 is first class shopping and dining at places like Versace, Armani, Williams-Sonoma, China Grill, Nemo’s, and Smith & Wollensky. World #2 is the simple life. Sunsets on the Bay, moonlight walks on the beach, sunrises over the ocean, and calming tropical breezes.

Icon pampers it’s residents with amenities such as a Heath and Fitness Spa complete with sauna and steam room, a heated bay front lap pool, 24-hour complimentary valet parking, concierge services, housekeeping service, laundry and dry cleaning valet, and a resident caf

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The condo hotel concept provides benefits for the developer as well as for the buyer. Developers find it easier to obtain financing with condo hotels than with traditional hotel projects, plus the cash infusion of the sales helps their bottom line.

Buyers benefit by owning a property in a luxury resort that they can use for themselves, and take advantage of the high level amenities.

When they are not using the condo hotel, the unit is put in the managed pool and rented out for them. The buyers have what is considered “hassle free” ownership.

The
condo hotels unit owners also benefit from having a professional onsite management company to handle to marketing, booking of their room and general expertise that they bring to the table. If a problem should arise with their condo hotel unit, the management company will take care of it instead of the owner having to worry about it. This makes the traditional landlord tenant issues a thing of the past.

The condo hotel buyer sees the benefit to owning a vacation property that also has the potential to produce income for them. The typical condo hotel produces higher levels of income than the traditional vacation home (and less headaches), making it all the more appealing to buyers.

Developers are finding it hard to keep up with the demand. Many of the condo hotels are selling out before ground breaking occurs. Condo hotels are different from traditional condos because the are sold “turn key”. This means buyers do not have to worry about hiring a designer or contactor to come in to finish out the unit. Everything is included from linens, dishes, pillows etc

The South Florida condo hotel market is leading the way with many of the names you know such as the Four Seasons, Starwood, Sonesta, Ritz Carlton and the Regent to name a few. Pricing for condo hotels can range anywhere from $400,000’s up to $8 million for larger luxurious oceanfront properties. Of course the pricing depends on location, views and types of finishes.

The Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada (Florida Keys) has enjoyed great success for its clientele. The Cheeca Lodge is currently converting rooms in the existing hotel but has plans to add more to the property. The property sits on 27 lush acres and has 203 guest rooms, including 48 suites that all have full kitchens. In addition, Cheeca Lodge offers an extensive range of services and amenities.

The W Hotel and Residences South Beach will soon be ready to launch. The W is one of the hottest names in the hotel industry. The development team for the W Hotel and Residences South Beach combines some big names in the field - Tri Star Capital, Related Urban Development (The Related Group of New York and The Related Group of Florida) and Starwood Properties. Expect a Wow lobby spectacular interior design and some ultra deluxe hotel rooms designed by Costas Kondylis of Kondylis & Partners. All units are sold completely finished and furnished - right down to the table settings; price range, $800,000 to $5 million.

Starwood and the Related Group of Florida have announced that they are joining forces to develop the St. Regis Resort & Residences in South Florida’s most exclusive enclave, Bal Harbour. The St. Regis Resort & Residences will be built on the existing site of the Sheraton Bal Harbour, will be located on the pristine sands of the Atlantic Ocean directly across the street from the legendary Bal Harbour Shops. The St. Regis Resort and Residences is one of the most highly anticipated project to ever hit the South Florida market.

Canyon Ranch Living is the next step for Canyon Ranch’s evolution and will be located on a 6 acre oceanfront parcel in Miami Beach. Canyon Ranch Living will offer 151 condo-hotel suites and 467 one, two and three bedroom and penthouse condominium residences, plus a 60,000 square-foot Spa & Fitness Center.

Turnberry Associates is bringing the Fontainebleau to a whole new level with the addition of the Fontainebleau II and Fontainebleau III Ocean Club.

Turnberry is leading the way with condo hotels anchored to existing very successful hotels such as the Residences at MGM Grand Las Vegas, and the Residences at Atlantis Paradise Island Nassau Bahamas.

The MGM Grand Residences Las Vegas broke ground recently on its first 40-story tower, spearheading a wave of condominium-hotel growth that has begun to sweep the Las Vegas Valley. The Residences at Atlantis is a joint venture between Turnberry and Kerzner International that will bring 500 luxurious new rooms to the project.

With so many condo hotel projects on the market or in the planning phase, you need someone who can find the one that is right for you. The new condo hotel section at www.HansenHomesAventura.com can help keep you on top of the latest projects so you can be one of the first to buy.

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