Diplomat Resort & Spa Hollywood
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Founder | Samuel N. Friedland |
| Headquarters | Hollywood, Florida , United States |
Area served | Coastal Florida |
| Products | Hotel rooms, convention center, dining and lounge services, beach access |
| Owner | Trinity Real Estate Investments and Credit Suisse Asset Management |
| Parent | Hilton Worldwide (operator) |
The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton, is a coastal resort located in Hollywood, Florida, just south of Fort Lauderdale, positioned between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. This establishment comprises two 36-story towers housing 1,000 guest rooms, along with two swimming pools, six dining and lounge options, direct beach access, and a convention center. Ownership belongs to Thayer Lodging Group, with operations managed by Hilton Worldwide.
History
Initially launched in 1958 by Samuel N. Friedland, a grocery industry leader and founder of the Food Fair supermarket chain, the hotel began as "The Envoy" with 150 rooms. Friedland later expanded the property to 350 rooms and renamed it "The Diplomat," securing its status as a notable hotel in the Hollywood vicinity. The venue hosted renowned personalities such as Bing Crosby, Maurice Chevalier, and Woody Allen, alongside visits from dignitaries including Harry Truman, Bob Hope, and Ronald Reagan. Financial challenges led to the hotel's closure in 1991, after which it was sold to the pension fund of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry. The original structure was razed in 1998.
Westin Diplomat
After Diplomat Properties, Ltd. acquired the site, Nichols Architects were engaged to create a new convention center hotel featuring 1,000 rooms. Although 15 conventions were booked through 2005 by 1998, construction setbacks delayed the project's completion.
The Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa opened its doors in 2002, encompassing nearly 3 million square feet. It offers 998 guest rooms, including 100 suites, a lagoon-style pool extending 240 feet, an Executive Club Lounge on the 33rd floor, and various dining establishments. Adjacent to the hotel is a 209,000-square-foot Convention Center that includes a Great Hall spanning 50,000 square feet and four ballrooms, one boasting expansive ocean views.
The development cost was approximately $800 million. On August 29, 2014, Thayer Lodging Group purchased the Westin Diplomat for $535 million. In 2023, Trinity Real Estate Investments together with Credit Suisse Asset Management acquired the property for a record $835 million. Future plans involve partial redevelopment of the site while maintaining hotel operations under Hilton's Curio Collection brand.