PHOTO: Rendering of the new guestroom design at Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort. (courtesy Marriott Hotels & Resorts)

On Aug. 1, the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa will reach a milestone in its $250-million transformation into a JW Marriott when it reopens following the first round of renovations.  

The Southwest Florida resort has been shuttered since May 4.  It is scheduled to join the JW Marriott brand on Jan. 1, 2017, as the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort. It will serve as the brand’s first beachfront resort in the continental U.S.

The first-phase of the facelift included restaurant and lobby renovations, an expansion of the resort’s pool decks and the addition of the Tiki Deck Bar & Grill. Its 726 existing guestrooms and suites have been enhanced with new décor and furniture, and reconfigured to accommodate larger showers, vanities and separate water closets in bathrooms.

 The second phase of the renovation, which extends from Aug. 1 to Dec. 31, 2016, will include an adults-only tower with 94 guestrooms, a rooftop pool and a 12,000-square-foot entertainment center. Also, an exhibit hall and additional meetings areas will be added to the Islands Ballroom, bringing the resort’s available meetings and events space to 100,000 square feet.

The resort is a 20-minute drive from Naples. It is located two miles from Key Marco and 32 miles from the Everglades National Park.