Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is building a hospitality empire with upcoming hotels, RV parks, and a cruise brand

Brittany ChangDec 19, 2021, 18:44 IST

Margaritaville Resort Times Square.Brittany Chang/Insider

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville empire is rapidly expanding across the hospitality industry.
The brand's portfolio includes resorts, senior living communities, RV parks, a cruise brand, and more.

In 1977, famed musician Jimmy Buffett released his hit tropical anthem, "Margaritaville," a simple tune that's now synonymous with relaxing at the beach while "wasting away again."

Jimmy Buffett performs at the Margaritaville Resort Times Square in New York City.Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

In 1977, famed musician Jimmy Buffett released his hit tropical anthem, "Margaritaville," a simple tune that's now synonymous with relaxing at the beach while "wasting away again."

The alcohol-soaked sponge cake and sunbake destination may have been an imaginary getaway in the 1970s hit …

A newlywed couple and friends drinking at a Margaritaville bar.Alison Wright/Getty Images

… but since then, the Margaritaville name has been co-opted into a hospitality empire with a footprint that extends across the US and into international destinations like Mexico, Belize, and Puerto Rico.

The Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun in Mexico.Margaritaville

… but since then, the Margaritaville name has been co-opted into a hospitality empire with a footprint that extends across the US and into international destinations like Mexico, Belize, and Puerto Rico.

Now, Margaritaville is a "diversified lifestyle brand" — according to a statement from John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville Holdings — that creates tropical havens for consumers looking for the getaway Buffett once crooned about.

Margaritaville Island Hotel on the Island in Pigeon Forge in Tennessee.Margaritaville

Now, Margaritaville is a "diversified lifestyle brand" — according to a statement from John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville Holdings — that creates tropical havens for consumers looking for the getaway Buffett once crooned about.

"Most brands take on the identity of the product they brand, [like how] Starbucks stands for coffee," Cohlan told Insider in October. "[But] Margaritaville really stands for an emotion because it was in the culture for a long time before there was a product."

The Margaritaville Resort in Hollywood, Florida.Alan Budman/Shutterstock

"Most brands take on the identity of the product they brand, [like how] Starbucks stands for coffee," Cohlan told Insider in October. "[But] Margaritaville really stands for an emotion because it was in the culture for a long time before there was a product."

The first Margaritaville restaurant opened in 1987 in Key West, Florida.

The Margaritaville Cafe and Store in Key West, FloridaChuck Wagner/Shutterstock

Since then, the eatery has grown into a hospitality giant with a portfolio that includes resorts, vacation homes, timeshares ...

Margaritaville Resort Times Square.Brittany Chang/Insider

... more restaurants, senior living communities, bars, RV parks, and now, a cruise line.

The Camp Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.The McBride Company

"However you like to lodge, we can provide that opportunity for you in our lifestyle," Cohlan said.

The Lone Palm Pool at a Margaritaville hotel.Margaritaville

The tropical brand currently has 32 food and beverage offerings …

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville at Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles in 2017.Rich Polk/Getty Images for NBC Universal

… and over 20 hotels in locations like Florida, California, Missouri, and Costa Rica.

Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun in Mexico.Margaritaville

But in the next three years, the company plans to have 50 resorts open, according to Cohlan.

The Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg in Tennessee.Margaritaville

"I would think we've got to be the fastest-growing hotel brand in the country," Cohlan said. "We're expanding very very rapidly."

The Margaritaville Montego Bay in Jamaica.Debbie Ann Powell/Shutterstock

Within the past year throughout COVID-19, Margaritaville has already opened new properties in destinations like Times Square, New York, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas.

A room inside Margaritaville Resort Times Square.Brittany Chang/Insider

Within the past year throughout COVID-19, Margaritaville has already opened new properties in destinations like Times Square, New York, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas.

And looking ahead, the brand has already announced upcoming locations in Belize, Florida, California, Oregon, and more.

The Margaritaville Grand Turk on the Turks & Caicos Islands.Barry Winiker/Getty Images

This year, the Times Square location is even getting into the business of celebrating the new year.

Margaritaville Resort Times Square.Brittany Chang/Insider

The $300 million hotel recently unveiled a New Year's Eve event, and the most expensive package starts at $1,710.

The Statue of Liberty recreation in the Margaritaville Restaurant.Brittany Chang/Insider

Similar to its hotel arm, Margaritaville is also looking to rapidly grow its new RV parks business, Camp Margaritaville.

The Camp Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.Camp Margaritaville

The brand rolled out its first RV park in Lake Lanier, Georgia in 2019 to "off the charts" reception and reviews, Jim Wiseman, the president of development at Camp Margaritaville, told Insider in October.

A Camp Margaritaville.Camp Margaritaville

The brand rolled out its first RV park in Lake Lanier, Georgia in 2019 to "off the charts" reception and reviews, Jim Wiseman, the president of development at Camp Margaritaville, told Insider in October.

On the heels of this success, within the next five years, Margaritaville is targetting opening 30 to 50 RV parks nationwide.

The Camp Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.Camp Margaritaville

"What surprised us at Lake Lanier was the average daily rate we could generate with an upscale camping experience," Wiseman said. "That drove our interest to move [the expansion of Camp Margaritaville] along quicker."

Camp Margaritaville at Lake Lanier.Margaritaville

"What surprised us at Lake Lanier was the average daily rate we could generate with an upscale camping experience," Wiseman said. "That drove our interest to move [the expansion of Camp Margaritaville] along quicker."

At the moment, Margaritaville has over 20 projects in the works ...

A Margaritaville hotel at night.Margaritaville

... whether it be resorts, senior living communities, or RV resorts, a spokesperson told Insider in an email in October.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville at Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles in 2017.Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for NBC Universal

And it's not just land-based hospitality offerings.

The Margaritaville Paradise.The McBridge Company

In December, Margaritaville also announced its own cruise brand, quaintly called Margaritaville at Sea. The brand's first cruise ship will begin sailing out of Florida in April 2022.

A stateroom aboard the Margaritaville Paradise.The McBride Company

In December, Margaritaville also announced its own cruise brand, quaintly called Margaritaville at Sea. The brand's first cruise ship will begin sailing out of Florida in April 2022.

The Margaritaville Paradise will have 658 cabins and branded food and beverage options that are consistent across the brand, which could appeal to some of Margaritaville's loyal fans.

The 5 o'Clock Somehwere Bar aboard the Margaritaville Paradise.The McBride Company

The Margaritaville Paradise will have 658 cabins and branded food and beverage options that are consistent across the brand, which could appeal to some of Margaritaville's loyal fans.

"We'll continue to go places where consumers are looking for leisure experiences," Cohlan said in October when asked about plans to expand into other hospitality markets before the cruise brand was unveiled.

A Landshark Bar and Grill.Margaritaville

"We'll continue to go places where consumers are looking for leisure experiences," Cohlan said in October when asked about plans to expand into other hospitality markets before the cruise brand was unveiled.

"But at the same time, we're focused on delivering the type of experiences we've been successful delivering," he continued.

The Margaritaville Ocho Rios Restaurant and Sports Bar.Debbie Ann Powell/Shutterstock

I stayed in the Versace Mansion's $800/night suite that has access to a rooftop deck and a pool with 24-karat gold tiles. Take a look inside.

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Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is building a hospitality empire with upcoming hotels, RV parks, and a cruise brand

In 1977, famed musician Jimmy Buffett released his hit tropical anthem, "Margaritaville," a simple tune that's now synonymous with relaxing at the beach while "wasting away again."

The alcohol-soaked sponge cake and sunbake destination may have been an imaginary getaway in the 1970s hit …

… but since then, the Margaritaville name has been co-opted into a hospitality empire with a footprint that extends across the US and into international destinations like Mexico, Belize, and Puerto Rico.

Now, Margaritaville is a "diversified lifestyle brand" — according to a statement from John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville Holdings — that creates tropical havens for consumers looking for the getaway Buffett once crooned about.

"Most brands take on the identity of the product they brand, [like how] Starbucks stands for coffee," Cohlan told Insider in October. "[But] Margaritaville really stands for an emotion because it was in the culture for a long time before there was a product."

The first Margaritaville restaurant opened in 1987 in Key West, Florida.

Since then, the eatery has grown into a hospitality giant with a portfolio that includes resorts, vacation homes, timeshares ...

... more restaurants, senior living communities, bars, RV parks, and now, a cruise line.

"However you like to lodge, we can provide that opportunity for you in our lifestyle," Cohlan said.

The tropical brand currently has 32 food and beverage offerings …

… and over 20 hotels in locations like Florida, California, Missouri, and Costa Rica.

But in the next three years, the company plans to have 50 resorts open, according to Cohlan.

"I would think we've got to be the fastest-growing hotel brand in the country," Cohlan said. "We're expanding very very rapidly."

Within the past year throughout COVID-19, Margaritaville has already opened new properties in destinations like Times Square, New York, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas.

And looking ahead, the brand has already announced upcoming locations in Belize, Florida, California, Oregon, and more.

This year, the Times Square location is even getting into the business of celebrating the new year.

The $300 million hotel recently unveiled a New Year's Eve event, and the most expensive package starts at $1,710.

Similar to its hotel arm, Margaritaville is also looking to rapidly grow its new RV parks business, Camp Margaritaville.

The brand rolled out its first RV park in Lake Lanier, Georgia in 2019 to "off the charts" reception and reviews, Jim Wiseman, the president of development at Camp Margaritaville, told Insider in October.

On the heels of this success, within the next five years, Margaritaville is targetting opening 30 to 50 RV parks nationwide.

"What surprised us at Lake Lanier was the average daily rate we could generate with an upscale camping experience," Wiseman said. "That drove our interest to move [the expansion of Camp Margaritaville] along quicker."

At the moment, Margaritaville has over 20 projects in the works ...

... whether it be resorts, senior living communities, or RV resorts, a spokesperson told Insider in an email in October.

And it's not just land-based hospitality offerings.

In December, Margaritaville also announced its own cruise brand, quaintly called Margaritaville at Sea. The brand's first cruise ship will begin sailing out of Florida in April 2022.

The Margaritaville Paradise will have 658 cabins and branded food and beverage options that are consistent across the brand, which could appeal to some of Margaritaville's loyal fans.

"We'll continue to go places where consumers are looking for leisure experiences," Cohlan said in October when asked about plans to expand into other hospitality markets before the cruise brand was unveiled.

"But at the same time, we're focused on delivering the type of experiences we've been successful delivering," he continued.