HOLMES BEACH – The Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club is moving closer to opening day.
With temporary occupancy permits in place for much of the main lodge and the secondary Building B, employees are participating in on site training in hopes of a Nov. 29 soft opening. Currently, reservations for the hotel are not being accepted for dates prior to Dec. 15, though public relations specialist Kelly Prieto said the hotel will be opened to the public earlier if possible.
“We need to balance achieving key construction milestones with the holidays and the task of fully training our associates,” Prieto said in a Nov. 10 email. “Naturally, if we feel we can successfully open sooner, we will.”
Opening Waterline’s doors takes a lot more than employee readiness. In order to receive certificates of occupancy from the city’s building department, Building Official Jim McGuinness said issues identified on a punch list must be completed. Owner Mainsail Lodging and Development also must submit final elevation certificates and copies of field inspection logs, and finalize all accessory permits for the project. The site needs to pass final hardscape, landscape, stormwater, rodent proofing, elevator and accessibility inspections. For as long as Mainsail owns the Waterline property, the company is required to uphold an agreement with the city to not install locks that would allow sections of the two-bedroom suites to be rented separately. The company also must maintain drainage improvements on the adjacent Sunrise Lane. Inspections also are required for the pool area and commercial cooking equipment in the restaurant kitchen.
Until the resort property passes its final inspections and receives permanent occupancy permits along with business tax receipts from the city, the doors remain closed to anyone outside of the staff and employee trainers.
The 37-suite hotel is a part of the Autograph Collection of boutique hotels by Marriott. Mainsail was recently awarded the Partnership Circle Award, the highest honor awarded by Marriott to its affiliate owners and franchise partners for hospitality excellence. The hotel giant manages booking and reservations for the property located at 5325 Marina Drive.
