STAMFORD, CT—Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., is expanding its North America portfolio with the strategic conversion of a resort in Panama City Beach, FL. Sheraton Bay Point Resort, which was recently acquired by Bay Point Fund 8, LLC, an entity of CAI Investments, LLC, will undergo an extensive $30-million renovation and repositioning project before opening in mid-2016 under the continued management of Crescent Hotels & Resorts.
“Sheraton Bay Point Resort represents another strong addition to the growing Sheraton portfolio and gives Starwood a foothold in Panama City Beach, one of the most sought-after vacation destinations on Florida’s Emerald Coast,” said Allison Reid, SVP of North America development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Strategic conversions in targeted destinations like this one continue to propel the Sheraton brand’s growth across North America and beyond.”
Located within a 1,100-acre wildlife preserve on St. Andrews Bay, Sheraton Bay Point Resort will feature a total of 319 guestrooms, including 200 in the main building and 120 golf villas. Renovations will result in a top-to-bottom transformation of all guestrooms and public areas, including the resort’s three restaurants and lounges and its 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting facilities. The resort will offer a number of indoor and outdoor options for meetings, as well as recreation facilities including a private beach, three outdoor pools, a variety of watersports, two golf courses, a golf and tennis clubhouse and a full-service, luxury spa.
“We are delighted to partner with Starwood Hotels on this project, and look forward to raising the Sheraton brand flag in 2016 at this premier resort in Florida’s panhandle,” said Christopher Beavor, managing partner of Cai Investments. “Following the renovation and repositioning, we expect Sheraton Bay Point Resort will significantly raise the bar for resorts in this area and emerge as a leading choice among global travelers.”
Sheraton Bay Point Resort is minutes from the beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf World Marine Park, Captain Anderson’s Marina and the shops, restaurants and bars in Panama City Beach. The resort is also within close proximity of Beaches International Airport and Fort Walton Beach Airport.