Jimmy Buffet’s name is so synonymous with beaches, boating and good times, it makes sense that a new resort with his trademark song opened on the beaches of South Florida in 2015. Jimmy has long called Florida home, as well as many other tropical beach destinations, and wherever he goes, his Parrotheads follow in tropical print shirts and straw hats. From bars to restaurants, his name evokes a vacation vibe, and his new resort in Hollywood Beach, Florida, does the same.

Walking into the resort, guests are immediately greeted by island music, quotes from Jimmy’s songs, and a coastal décor filled with nautical influences — not to mention a giant blue flip-flop and “pop top” as sung in the resort’s namesake song. The building was formerly a high-rise parking lot, and today its first floors remain parking, with new hotel rooms and suites rising into the sky and overlooking the boardwalk and Atlantic Ocean beaches. Multiple pools and restaurants with bars and Margaritaville-branded merchandise are everywhere at this resort, which truly caters to his fans. (If you are not a fan, the music and the party could wear on you after a couple of days.)

Although the resort is touting a family-friendly environment with its pools, water sports and casual environment, there were more adults than kids during our grand opening weekend visit. It could be the “boat drinks” that make more adults want to enjoy a party atmosphere than bring the kids. However, during opening weekend, Jimmy was on hand performing, so it may be the reason adults outnumbered children during our visit. The comfortable rooms and offerings do lend themselves to a family environment, and adults and children alike will like Margaritaville.

The resort features nearly 350 guestrooms and suites, all with a coastal décor and white and turquoise color palette with nautical details scattered about the room, from tail fin faucets to nautical knots and ropes. Rooms feature flat-screen TVs and small refrigerators. Bathrooms only offer stand-up showers, and sinks are small, so bathing little ones may be difficult. Rooms are located in two towers with views of either the Intracoastal or the Atlantic Ocean, all with balconies with two Adirondack chairs. (We wish they had more furnishing on the balconies, as they are large and the small chairs do not provide room for four to sit outside and take in the views.)

Standard Rooms
Standard rooms provide one king or two queen beds.

Suites
Junior Suites are king bed rooms that feature a sitting area with two swiveling chairs and a coffee table (which, oddly, block the sliding door to get onto the balcony), while one- and two-bedroom suites offer a separate living and bedroom area, with accommodations for up to six people.

Coral Reefer Suite
The Coral Reefer Suite is a 2,649-square-foot Vice Presidential Suite with an extra large living room, entertainment area with pool table, dining room for six, a full gourmet kitchen, three and a half bathrooms with a soaking tub in the master suite, three bedrooms and a private balcony with more than 1,000 square feet of space overlooking the Intracoastal and Atlantic.

Jimmy Buffett Suite
The Jimmy Buffett Suite, also known as the Presidential Suite, is over 2,800 square feet in size, with two bedrooms, dining for eight, an exercise room, two and a half bathrooms with an en suite tub, pool table and full gourmet kitchen.

Parakeets Kid's Club
Located near the LandShark Pool, this kids' program provides morning, afternoon and full-day sessions for children ages 3 to 12. Games, arts and crafts and supervised programs change daily. Reservations are suggested, as space is limited. Evening programs during peak travel periods will be offered. Half-day sessions go from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. and are $50 without lunch and $60 with lunch. All-day sessions, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., are $80, with additional siblings $10 off.

FlowRider
This double rider surf simulator overlooks Hollywood Beach Boardwalk, where all ages can body surf or surf. The ride is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and tickets are required (at an additional fee). Thirty minutes is $30, and an hour is $45, with hours based on weather from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Watersports
Head across the street to the Intracoastal and the 5 o'clock Somewhere Bar & Grill for a variety of water sports, including stand-up paddleboard rentals and kayak rentals. One-hour rentals are $30, two-hour rentals are $50, and four-hour rentals are $80.

Beach Boardwalk
The resort is located along Hollywood Beach Boardwalk, which features a walking and cycling path. Beach cruisers are available to rent through private companies located along the boardwalk.

LandShark and Lone Palm Pools
The main level of the resort features two family-friendly pools. The pools feature waterslides, waterfalls, cabana rentals and barefoot dining. Daily poolside activities are offered. Cabana rentals are all-day for six people and include bottled water, a safe and fan for $150 at Lone Palm pool and $250 for the LandShark pool.

Hollywood Beach
The wide expanse of beach is steps from the resort, with a special area dedicated to hotel guests with chairs, umbrellas and beach service, for no additional charge. Buckets and shovels are available for sandcastle building.

License to Chill Rooftop
On the resort's 11th floor is a small rooftop pool with a quiet lounge area, also with a bar within steps.

JWB Prime Steak and Seafood
The upscale dining option at Margaritaville is JWB, named for James (Jimmy) William Buffett, located off of the main lobby. The menu features fresh seafood and steaks, including spear-caught fish, a raw bar, sushi rolls, sea-to-table specialties, and world-class wines.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
The already popular restaurant chain with a coastal-inspired menu and décor, this large space features tables within boats and palm trees within a two-story dining area overlooking the Lone Palm pool.

LandShark Bar & Grill
Offering the LandShark Pool, FlowRider and beach, this casual al fresco-dining restaurant also features classic American dining and seafood dishes.

License to Chill Bar
Located near the rooftop pool, this open-air bar provides light fare, such as salads and wraps for guests looking for a quiet spot within the resort.

5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill
This indoor-outdoor dockside bar is located across the street at the Intracoastal Waterway. Live music is offered daily, and the bar has a grill for hot dogs and burgers in a sand- and hammock-filled area ideal for sunset watching with daily sunset rituals and cozy fire pits.

Lone Palm Beach Bar
This thatched roof tiki bar has a walk-up section from the beach boardwalk, as well as from the Lone Palm pool. The bar features a light bites menu, and offers a few tables for full lunch dining.

Floridays Airstream Café
Housed on the boardwalk in an Airstream trailer, this quick-service café features hot dogs, snacks, ice cream and drinks.

Margaritaville Coffee Shop
The lobby-level gourmet coffee and pastry shop offers grab-and-go items, deli sandwiches, pastries and more all day.

All About the Extras
Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort.

Laundry
Complimentary self-service laundry facilities are available on the second floor of the hotel.

Pets
Pets under 25 pounds are welcome at the resort, with additional fees. Pets are not allowed in the pool areas.

The Art of Smart Timing
South Florida is a year-round, warm-weather travel destination. Peak travel is during spring break and the holidays, and summers can bring rain showers and hurricanes. The best time to visit with less crowds and more mild temperatures is during the fall and late spring.

Getting There
Margaritaville is located in Hollywood Beach between Fort Lauderdale and Miami international airports. From Fort Lauderdale, the drive is about 25 minutes, while it is closer to 45 minutes from Miami.

Getting Around
Self- and valet parking are available for hotel guests, and guests will want to have a rental car if wanting to check out Fort Lauderdale and Miami sites and attractions, as the resort does not provide transportation.

For Mom and Dad
The 11,000-square-foot St. Somewhere Spa is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., providing full services including massages, facials, hair and nail services, and couples treatments.