After Lebron James' decision to join the Miami Heat in July, the Miami Herald reported the city could benefit from the basketball star's fame to the tune of $500 to $600 million. Starting with the 25 rooms LeBron booked at the W Hotel in South Beach during his decision, in addition to agents' inquiries into Heat tickets packages at the Fontainbleau, sports fever is spreading like wildfire— and JW Marriott Marquis Miami is turning the heat up with its 10,000-square-foot, NBA-approved arena set to debut October 10, as part of its 50,000-square-foot lifestyle and entertainment complex.
The complex will span the property's 19th and 20th floors. Guests of the 44-room Hotel Beaux Arts Miami, located directly above and also set to open this October, will share the complex, which will also feature a full-size tennis court, Jim McLean Golf School, Rik Rak Spa & Salon, a virtual bowling alley and Met 2 Fitness.
Basketball players can get the full NBA experience on the arena centered on the JW Marriott Marquis Miami's 19th floor, which is equipped with a multi-use portable floor system— the same flooring used at the Miami Heat's home stadium, the American Airlines Arena. Guests can use the arena as an NBA-approved basketball court, or alternatively, a tennis court, featuring the identical surface used at the Sony Ericsson Open. The arena can also serve as carpeted event space.
Also on the 19th floor, golf players can take advantage of personal instructors, virtual golf simulators, two putting greens, lounge seating, a Pro Shop and a view of downtown Miami. Sports fans can lean into the hotel's midnight-blue Brunswich Treviso pool table, and try classic bowling or bowling in space in the 3D media room. Then, visitors can unwind at the furnished pool deck, boasting a heated stainless steel pool and whirlpool, and relax at the 20th floor's full-service spa and beauty salon. From the 4,500-square-foot fitness center, take in the city and bay views as you take ahold of the hotel's eco-friendly Technogym equipment and fitness equipment used in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In the city's new Metropolitan Miami (The Met) development, the 41-floor JW Marriott Marquis Miami will have also have a 20,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom and the city's first db Bistro Moderne, a French/American restaurant, opening this fall, helmed by Chef Daniel Boulud, chef-restaurateur and winner of three James Beard Foundation awards.
Visit www.jwmarriottmarquismiami.com.