Georgia’s state-owned Jekyll Island getting new hotel

JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. – A hotel is rising on a long-vacant beachfront on Georgia’s state-owned Jekyll Island.

The Brunswick News reports a 209-room hotel is scheduled to open in spring or summer of next year.

It will carry a double branding, with 120 Courtyard by Marriott rooms and 89 Residence Inn by Marriott rooms.

The hotel is being developed by LNW hospitality under a lease with the Jekyll Island Authority. It will sit on nearly 6 acres (2.4 hectares) of oceanfront land, with amenities including a pool, splash pad, fire pits, restaurant, bar, fitness centre and meeting space.

The property has been a vacant for more than 15 years and is the former location of four hotels dating back to 1961.

Hotel rooms will likely cost around $180 a night, said Dave Curtis, managing director of LNW Hospitality. That’s cheaper than at the Jekyll Island Club or the Westin but higher than several other island hotels.