Beach Club’s new general manager brings a wealth of luxury hotel experience to the 212-room property, including 14 years with the Four Seasons brand that saw him oversee properties in premier destinations such as Washington D.C., Vail, San Francisco, Beverly Hills and Istanbul. The Turkish native has also been a part of several luxury hotels from the East to West coasts, including the iconic Watergate Hotel and Mandarin Oriental. Here, Koroglu gives us insight on how he’ll bring his diverse background in high-end hospitality to the sophisticated oceanside setting of Beach Club.
Ekrem Koroglu, General Manager of The Boca Raton Beach Club
"When you’re at Beach Club, what makes it different is its exclusivity, yet you have access to all 14 restaurants, 20 bars and activities across our 200-acre destination."
With your deep perspective on luxury resorts, why do you think Beach Club is so special?
We have so many high-end options at Beach Club. You can wake up and spend the day relaxing on the beach or poolside, or stay active with water sports such as kayaking and surfing. Not only that, but guests also have access to the entirety of this beautiful resort, with world-class tennis, golf and one of the largest spas in the country, Spa Palmera, at 50,000 square feet. The Boca Raton’s culinary offerings, and partnership on four restaurants with Major Food Group, make it a memorable stay for members and guests with many options of fine to casual dining. At Beach Club, Marisol serves Greek mezze and Mediterranean-inspired cocktails with ocean views, while Beach Club lounge offers an inspired space with international cuisine.
The service is at an extremely high level. Over the years, the resort has done a great job hosting large groups and meetings, and we have expanded services and facilities to offer the leisure clientele a more personalized experience. That’s something that cannot be found in too many places around the world.
What is new at Beach Club this season?
Twenty-two poolside cabanas have been reinvigorated and outfitted by our new partner, Vilebrequin. The luxury French swimwear brand will not only have a retail store at Beach Club, but it also designed the interior of the cabanas, including wallpaper and furnishings that have a distinct Vilebrequin look and print. Each cabana features a different color and theme. Beachside, we have brand-new day beds and clamshell cabanas.
As we look ahead, we will reimagine our dining and Fitness Club, and a new pool will be added to the south cabana club pool deck…The bones of Beach Club are already fantastic, and elevating the room product will make it a best-in-class resort.
What do you consider the future of hospitality, and how will Beach Club incorporate that concept?
The lines between leisure travel and business have blurred since the pandemic. Guests can be on vacation with their family and friends, but may still step away to work. There will be flexibility to use spaces that include more seating areas, whether it is for work or a pop-up meeting during one hour, or in-room dining for another. We are part of a large resort, but it also feels private and intimate. When you’re at Beach Club, what makes it different is its exclusivity, yet you have access to all 14 restaurants, 20 bars and activities across our 200-acre destination.
How do you plan to continue bringing forth the legacy of the property?
The history of The Boca Raton is just incredible…The legacy of The Boca Raton makes our story very unique. Through our strong relationship with the Boca Raton Historical Society, we will continue to celebrate the property’s heritage in all we do.