Modernism hotel gets rebranded to tropical paradise ‘Margaritaville’

“I’m going to be ordering the first Margarita from Margaritaville," Julie Baron told News Channel 3.

For the first time in months, guests are returning to what was The Riviera, now with a much different atmosphere.

"I mean this property is iconic," Matt Huss, the general manager at Margaritaville Hotel said.

From modernism to escapism; what was one The Riviera hotel; a hit with the midcentury crowd and a hangout spot for the rat pack in the 60s is now Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.

"The new feeling is very energetic," Huss said.

The renovation project started in March, the same time many hotels shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's the one silver lining from this pandemic is that we're able to do this a little more quickly and less disruptive," Huss said.

Most of the staff from the previous hotel are back for Margaritaville's opening.

"When we called folks back we nearly had a 100 percent return rate with all of our employees," he said.

100 of the nearly 400 rooms are now available for guests to book. They'll have access to the main pool, the 5 O'clock Somewhere Bar and one of the restaurants.

"I think it adds a lot of energy here the thing that was wonderful about Margaritaville is that the dining experience is so phenomenal and I think we'll get a lot of people from the street even staying in the hotel to use our food and beverage options," Huss said.

Though much has changed, there are some touches from the Riviera that remain the same like the wall designs in the lobby.

"So the spirit of Frank and Marilyn are here but we're really moving forward with Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville," Huss said.

A planned ribbon cutting and soft reopening were delayed on Tuesday after an unexpected power outage. The hotel now plans to welcome overnight guests on Wednesday.