Former Hilton resort gets $24M makeover

Zota Beach Resort, the newest new luxury beach resort on Longboat Key, will open for business Dec. 1.

Operating under the new name at the site of the former Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort, Zota Beach Resort is now taking reservations. The hotel was developed under the Delray Beach-based Ocean Properties Opal Collection. Ocean Properties Vice President Mark Walsh, in the Longboat Observer, sister paper of the Business Observer, says the great location on Longboat Key sets the estimated $24 million project up for success.

“It already has a longstanding reputation as a great place to vacation on a great beach,” Walsh says. “What we've done is you've got a new hotel being built on a location that has been there for a long time in the hotel business. It's well established. With the history of this location, there's already a built-up clientele that has been going there years and years. Now with it being completely new and refreshed. I think it will work great as an independent resort.”