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Florida’s iconic Diplomat Beach Resort is transforming into Hilton’s new Signia brand
Tanner Saunders
Senior hotels reporter
Tanner Saunders is a Webby Award-winning senior hotels reporter for TPG based in Brooklyn. He covers everything from breaking hotel news to in-depth features on the world’s best hotels.
Oct. 15, 2024
•
3 min read
Florida’s iconic Diplomat Beach Resort is transforming into Hilton’s new Signia brand
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The Diplomat Beach Resort has long been a Hollywood star — well, Hollywood, Florida, that is — and now the popular Hilton resort is ready for its next role.
Currently part of Hilton's Curio Collection, the 36-story resort is now undergoing a transformation that will see the popular points property evolve into the Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort.
If you're not yet familiar with Signia, don't fret; Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort will only be the fourth hotel from the brand that has a big focus on major gateway cities, offering top-tier event and meeting spaces. In simple terms, it will be a modern convention hotel that's trendy, fresh and approachable. (And any of us who have ever been to an older convention-style hotel know exactly why that's important.)
Across the hotel, guests will see big changes across public spaces and communal areas, especially in and around the more than 200,000 square feet of event and meeting spaces.
Highlights of the upgrades include a new oceanfront meeting terrace that can be used all year long, a VIP pool deck that doubles as a space for events, a reimagined patio at the Point Royal restaurant and a new terrace connecting the hotel and its convention center.
New design elements, including lush greenery and new art, are being ushered in across the entire hotel as part of the Signia brand's arrival. The main lobby area will blur the lines between indoors and outdoors, while the central bar will focus on a seasonal cocktail menu and Mediterranean-inspired small bites.
A new infinity pool terrace will also feature verdant landscaping, adults-only cabana rentals, daybeds and extra lounge spaces with fire pits and bar access.
Many business folks might be excited to hear, too, that the conference-forward hotel will also have an all-new club lounge called Club Signia, available for an additional fee. Located on the 33rd floor, Club Signia will offer 6,600 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, gorgeous ocean views and all the goodies you can expect from a club lounge, like food and drinks.
Other big changes coming to the property will be on the menus of the resort's six restaurants and bars and for in-room dining. For example, the oceanfront bar and grill Playa will dig deep into the area's Latin culture and cuisine, and Diplomat Prime will offer a new menu that reflects the tropical vibes reinforced by the Signia brand.
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"We can't wait to share our transformation with both new and longtime guests," general manager Dean Lane said in a statement shared with TPG. "It really is incredible how all the changes balance the history and beauty of this special place with all of these luxurious touches. The founders of the property called it a 'one-stop paradise' decades ago — and I think we're definitely living into that vision."
The resort will continue to stay open during the transformation.
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Featured image by HILTON
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.