How did Margaritaville get its start?
How did Margaritaville
What began as a song about a tropical island is now an international phenomenon that includes restaurants, resorts, casinos, consumer products and national radio stations. The evocative lyrics of Jimmy Buffett inspire a cross-generational yearning for a tropical escape.
The Margaritaville brand is a natural fit for Biloxi’s Gulf Coast, where guests can expect authentic tropical surroundings that set the stage for a fun-filled vacation experience. Fans of the island lifestyle, devoted Parrot Heads and anyone who wants to have a great time will enjoy the laid-back atmosphere that is inspired by the music and philosophy of Jimmy Buffett.
While Buffett is known for his beachy, mellow style of music, he has also become an avid philanthropist. He has a deep commitment to environmental preservation and is a member of the United Nations Foundation. He was a founding board member of the United States Green Building Council and co-chaired the Global Climate Change Task Force.
How did Margaritaville get its start?
Margaritaville is a world-class, multifaceted entertainment and lifestyle destination that provides an island escape and unmatched hospitality to travelers across the globe. The Margaritaville resort concept brings the laid-back, tropical ambience of Jimmy Buffett’s renowned lyrics to life and delivers a vacation experience that is unlike anything else on the planet.
In Florida, there are several Margaritaville destinations where travelers can stay and play. Among them are Margaritaville Key West, 186 suites on Smathers Beach; the six-story Compass by Margaritaville boutique hotel in Ormond-by-the-Sea; the new 202-room oceanfront Margaritaville beach resort in Jacksonville Beach and Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, a 55+ community of 3,500 planned homes near Panama City Beach.
Homebuyers at Margaritaville communities can expect to pay from $230,000 to $420,000 for a cottage-style home in a resort-style setting. They’ll receive a private garage, landscaping, emergency buttons and a Town Center with a pool and gym, plus a range of amenities to help residents live well at home and on the go.
The active adult housing market has evolved into an epicenter of fulfillment for many older homeowners, and Jimmy Buffett is leveraging his beloved brand to provide the best retirement living experience possible. He is developing a series of themed communities, like Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach in Daytona Beach and Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach in South Florida, that will appeal to senior homebuyers in prime retirement destinations around the country.
In 1978, Jimmy Buffett sued Chi-Chi’s over its attempt to trademark the word “Margaritaville.” After winning the case, Buffett started branding the word everywhere. This included T-shirt shops, restaurants and the Margaritaville Cafe in Key West. Since then, Buffett and Cohlan have built a number of Margaritaville properties. These include restaurants, hotels, casinos and theme parks. The Margaritaville Resort Orlando in Kissimmee is part of the Disney Good Neighbor Hotel program.
The company generates revenue through licensing agreements with third-party companies, such as licensing for Margaritaville Casinos, retail sales and other businesses. The Margaritaville brand has become a worldwide phenomenon and can be found at locations in the US and internationally including Las Vegas, Key West, Biloxi, Bossier City, Honolulu and Australia.