The estimated US$72m (€65m; £47m) Playa Largo resort in Key Largo, part of the Marriott Autograph collection, is set to open late this year and will be the first new-build property on the island in 21 years. The Florida Keys property, owned by Shaner
Hotel Group, will include a 6,000sq ft (557sq m) OceanSpa.

Prime Hospitality are the architects for the project, while The Gettys Group are responsible for the interior design. The Playa Largo features 144 bedrooms and suites, 10 private bungalows, a beach house for corporate events, a waterfront pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, and 745(ft) of white sand beach.

The six-treatment room OceanSpa, designed by WTS International, includes one couples treatment room, a co-ed lounge, hair and nail salon and a 1,500sq ft (139sq m) fitness centre. It will be operated internally, but under the guidance and consultation of WTS, Mark Calibo, director of sales and marketing for the property, told Spa Opportunities.

Calibo said the resort is designed to be part of the spa experience and vice versa, and that OceanSpa incorporates sun lounging and swimming in the Florida Bay as part of its pre- and post-treatments.

“Everything about Playa Largo is a story and an experience, including visiting OceanSpa,” he said. “From sun and seawater to key lime and pineapple – and even cigars, sea sponges and shark skin – we wanted to explore all specific items to create a unique but original Key Largo experience.”

Calibo said youth facials, bamboo massages, mojito scrubs, coffee/rum body wraps and skin-drenching sea sprays have made it to the top of the list so far, and that the spa will tentatively use Phytoceane and Farmhouse Fresh product houses. A director of spa will be announced in September.

Calibo described OceanSpa as “a quiet oasis to rejuvenate and recharge, enhanced by a comfortably fresh design and its bayside palette of water, sand and flora textures, colors of bronze and earth tones,” and said it will incorporate “sounds of Spanish guitars and folding waves.”

The resort will also include a private marina with bar and restaurant, a sunset terrace restaurant with beachfront tiki bar, a ballroom with private courtyard, a formal lawn for banquets and weddings, a kids activity and nature learning centre, and sports courts.