The newest addition to Marriott’s Autograph Collection and first new hotel build in Key Largo, Florida for 20 years – Playa Largo Resort & Spa – is set to open in Q3 2015.

Development and construction experts Prime Hospitality, plus Shaner Hotels – owner-operators with experience in franchising – will co-manage this resort. The duo currently manage a total of seven hotels across the state of Florida but this will be their first large-scale full service project. The resort, located on the largest island in Florida’s Archipelago, broke ground in March 2014.

Situated on 14 secluded beachfront acres, with sweeping views of Florida Bay, the resort’s WTS International-operated spa boasts five treatment rooms – including a room for couples. The 5,200sq ft (483sq m) facility also features separate steamrooms for men and women, plus a spa pool.

Product lines for spa treatments have not been decided but there will be a complete spa and salon menu of massages, facials, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing and hair cuts.

While the spa concept is being designed by WTS International, the Playa Largo resort was designed by Prime Design Associates and The Gettys Group is in charge of interior design. The resort will have an Ameri-Caribbean ambience using a colour palette of neutral browns, splashes of turquoise, coral and cream.

The hotel will feature 144 bedrooms and suites, 10 private bungalows and one three-bedroom beach house with a private pool.

The resort will include a private marina and boat launch and a 6,000sq ft (557sq m) ballroom with private courtyard.

There will also be a swimming pool in addition to water sports facilities, basketball and tennis courts, plus a jogging trail. Home to the world’s largest artificial reef – the 510ft (155m) USS Spiegel Grove and the John Pennekamp Coral Reef Underwater State Park, Key Largo is extremely popular with divers.

Due to the Florida Keys’ carrying capacity regulations, any new build in the Keys may only contain as many bedrooms as the structures that it replaces. Therefore, Play Largo may only build the number of guest rooms equal to the number of rooms contained in the caravan park and office that previously occupied the 14-acre stretch of land.

Launched in 2010, Marriott International’s portfolio of 60 independent hotels worldwide is planning to expand to include properties in the Middle East and Africa.