The Westin Cocoa Beach Resort and Spa is nearing completion on the north end of Cocoa Beach. The 258-room resort will open in late 2023, according to the developer, Crescent Hotels & Resorts. Located on a 13-acre site between the Cocoa Beach Pier and the Banana River, the property will feature a full-service spa, multiple dining options, and a zero-entry pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Construction crews have been working around the clock since 2021 to meet the projected opening date.
The resort is expected to bring 300 permanent jobs to the area, with 150 positions already filled. Local officials have praised the project as a boost for tourism, which saw a 22% increase in visitors in 2022 compared to the previous year. The resort’s general manager, Sarah Thompson, said the property will prioritize sustainability, with solar panels powering 40% of the facility and a desalination system providing 25% of its water needs.
The building’s design includes 128 ocean-view rooms, 42 of which will have private balconies. A 15,000-square-foot fitness center and a 2,000-square-foot ballroom are also part of the plan. The resort will be the first Westin property in Florida and the second in the southeastern U.S. after the Westin Tampa.
Neighbors have mixed reactions. Some residents near the site say the project will increase traffic and property values. Others argue the resort will draw more visitors to the Space Coast. The first phase of the resort is expected to open in December 2023, with the second phase, including additional hotel rooms and a marina, set for 2024.