Friday, September 22

Luminary Hotel now open in the River District

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The highly anticipated 243-room waterfront Luminary Hotel & Co. officially opened its doors yesterday, making its long-awaited debut in downtown Fort Myers.

Opening in conjunction with the new 12-story Luminary Hotel are three of its featured food and beverage outlets – Ella Mae’s Diner, Dean Street Coffee and the Lobby Bar. The hotel’s signature Silver King Ocean Brasserie, and Beacon Social Drinkery rooftop lounge, will both open later this fall. Other key features include The Workshop, an innovative culinary laboratory; an indoor and outdoor fitness facility; and a spacious pool area on the fourth floor, with an event deck overlooking the Caloosahatchee River.

Luminary Hotel & Co. is the fifth Mainsail Lodging & Development property in the prestigious Autograph Collection of Marriott International, and the first Autograph hotel in the Fort Myers-Naples area. 

Lobby Bar

“It has been quite an adventure to get here, but thanks to the hard work and determination of the Mainsail team, and tremendous community support, the beautiful new Luminary Hotel is officially open and shining brightly in Fort Myers,” said Bob Megazzini, general manager. “It’s an exciting time and there’s much more to come, with the opening of our signature restaurant and rooftop lounge later this fall, and other outstanding additions to enhance the city’s downtown dining, shopping, and entertainment scene.”

Bob Megazzini at the Sept. 23 ribbon cutting

More than a hotel, Megazzini says Luminary is a hub of excitement and discovery – a focal point where locals and travelers tap into the collective energy of a city, and a story, begun by a brilliant cast of audacious local luminaries. There are so many inspiring and entertaining stories surrounding the luminaries who left a lasting impression on Fort Myers, many of which are captured in fanciful illustrations throughout the hotel and its branding that have been brought to life by local artist Joshua Noom

The new boutique hotel’s guest rooms and suites are fresh and modern in design, surrounding guests with warm, natural tones and clean lines. Guest room amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs, artisan pantries with gourmet coffee service, and luxurious bedding dressed with crisp duvets and fluffy pillows, while upscale bath products add a touch of indulgence.

Ella Mae’s Diner

Guests of Luminary Hotel & Co. have ample options to explore their culinary curiosity – from a signature restaurant and rooftop bar, to a casual streetside diner and coffee roastery. The three new outlets that have opened with the hotel operate seven days a week, with the onsite coffee roastery Dean Street Coffee open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Ella Mae’s Diner from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., adding “soul food with finesse” to its Southern repertoire; and the stylish Lobby Bar open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Beacon Social Drinkery Rooftop lounge is unlike any other in the area and will make its debut in October, while the Silver King Ocean Brasserie is slated to open in November.

The Beacon Social Drinkery is scheduled to open in October
The river view from the rooftop Beacon Social Drinkery

Recognized as the 2020 Newcomer of the Year by Cvent, Luminary houses 10,000 square feet of adaptable indoor and outdoor function space ideal for a variety of events and meetings. The hotel is also directly adjacent to the neighboring Caloosa Sound Convention Center, now open and offering 40,000 square feet of function space.

Caloosa Sound Convention Center opened Sept. 19
Ribbon cutting at Caloosa Sound Sept. 19
Caloosa Sound Convention Center opened Sept. 19
Caloosa Sound Convention Center opened Sept. 19
The Home and Garden Show Sept. 19-20 was the first event in the Caloosa Sound Convention Center.

The hotel also offers convenient access to the new riverfront Oxbow Bar & Grill located on the Caloosahatchee River and scheduled to open in March 2021. A delightful blend of retail and casual dining, Oxbow’s second floor is reserved for special events and groups, with an outdoor terrace and picture windows offering spectacular river views.

The Caloosa Sound Ampitheatre is scheduled to open in late spring or early summer.
The site of the future Caloosa Sound Amphitheatre in Centennial Park.

Luminary Hotel & Co. takes standards for hygiene and cleanliness very seriously and has taken additional steps to ensure the continued safety of guests and staff. Health and safety measures include handwashing hygiene, cleaning product specifications, electrostatic spraying in all public areas, guest room and common area cleaning procedures, daily temperature checks for all staff, and more. To promote the health and safety of our guests, face coverings are required for guests and associates in all indoor public areas. Social distancing guidelines and protocols are also strictly followed.

For more information, go to www.LuminaryHotel.com.

Culinary samples were offered at the Sept. 17 Luminary Hotel ribbon cutting.
Sept. 17 Luminary Hotel ribbon cutting.
Dean Street Coffee
Mainsail Lodging president Joe Collier entertains a room of community leaders and media at the Sept. 17 ribbon cutting for the new Luminary Hotel.
Luminary Hotel ribbon cutting Sept. 17.
Photos by Jamie Kuser
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