The luxury resort on Fort Lauderdale beach that opened as a St. Regis will soon become a Ritz-Carlton, executives said Tuesday.

Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. LLC announced an agreement with hotel ownership group Castillo Grand LLC to assume management of the nearly 200-room hotel effective Aug. 11, becoming the 10th Ritz-Carlton in Florida and the first in Broward County.

The hotel chain known for quality service already has a property in Palm Beach and three in Miami-Dade county. The Palm Beach Ritz-Carlton is one of 41 hotels nationwide with Mobil Travel Guide’s five-star rating, a distinction that Broward seeks.

Ritz-Carlton described Fort Lauderdale as “a sought after destination for both leisure and group business.” It lauded the year-old waterfront resort it will run for offering “the largest oceanfront ballroom in the city, a spacious and stylish spa and memorable ocean and Intracoastal Waterway views,” according to a statement.

The change in hotel flag follows disagreements between owners and current hotel management, not uncommon in the travel industry.

Last April’s opening of the St. Regis resort – the first St. Regis in Florida – had helped speed a shift in the image of Fort Lauderdale beach to an upscale destination.

But a switch to the Ritz-Carlton flag represents a “reasonable trade” that will keep a top-notch name at a stellar property, said Nicki Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“We’re very excited to have our first Ritz-Carlton. They’re a very well-known and quality brand with a lot of loyalty,” Grossman said.

The 24-story hotel just north of Las Olas Boulevard stands out for its white curved exterior, inspired by the ocean liners of yesteryear. Besides 192 guest rooms, it offers eight oceanfront suites and 20 Intracoastal suites, meeting rooms, a pool, restaurants and other features.

Introductory room rates will be available after Aug. 10, the company said.

Ritz-Carlton had been talking about a possible Broward entry at The Lago Mar Resort & Club. But that 204-unit waterfront property plans to expand and will try to stay independent, owner Walter Banks said Tuesday.

Banks expects Ritz-Carlton will succeed at its new Fort Lauderdale location with corporate and group business, as well as local events such as weddings.

While the resort is not directly on the sand, groups will be lured by its ample and sophisticated meeting facilities and the chain’s focus on quality food and service, Banks said.

Based in Chevy Chase, Md., Ritz-Carlton now operates 71 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean. It also is developing more than 30 resort and residential properties worldwide, including one in Shenzhen, China.

Doreen Hemlock can be reached at or 305-810-5009.

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