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Ray Graham / The Palm Beach Post
See photos of the Omphoy Ocean Resort
A look at the new hotel with a interview with the Gen Mgr. Deborah Carr
5-star luxury hotels offering special deals in Palm Beach County
When it came time to name the nearly $100 million resort her family-run company was opening on a patch of oceanfront property, Leslie Schlesinger took a deep breath.
Literally.
The word – or mantra, to be exact – that sprang to the interior designer’s mind was “om,” long associated with the deep-breathing practice of meditation. From there, Schlesinger connected “om,” symbolizing what she calls “the vibration of everything in life,” with the Gaelic word “phoy,” meaning “feast.”
The result: a made-up name for a very real place that has the potential to reshape Palm Beach as a tourist destination. Welcome to The Omphoy Ocean Resort: “a feast of good energy,” as Schlesinger describes it.
From the shell of a former Hilton hotel, Schlesinger and her developer husband, Richard, and sons Adam and Bobby have created a 3-acre resort that’s equal parts Zen-like retreat for the one-with-nature crowd and South Beach-style playpen for the rich and famous.
But they’ve taken quite a gamble at the same time: The local hotel business has been hit hard by the recession, with revenue off by as much as 20 percent in the past year. Resorts are countering with generous promotions, throwing in free golf and tennis with a room that has been highly discounted.
The Omphoy is offering its own introductory deal – with a rate as low as $149 a night. (By the winter tourist season, rooms are slated to run $400 to $700 a night.) But the resort, which is the first major oceanfront hotel to open in Palm Beach in 20 years, is really not pushing the value aspect as much as the style-conscious angle.
Seemingly, no detail has been spared in design and execution. Rooms come with private balconies, flat-screen TVs and flooring of bronze-infused porcelain tiles that brings “the energy of the Earth inside,” as The Omphoy’s literature explains. The pillars in the lobby are made from an exotic ebony. The pool is an infinity-edged marvel.
There’s even a lounge area with a row of gongs. Guests are invited to sound them as if to rouse their inner Buddha.
There’s also the resort’s amenity partners. The restaurant, with dramatic oceanfront views, comes courtesy of Miami-based celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein, who’s been a regular on the Food Network and has been honored with a James Beard Foundation award as best chef in the South. The spa is run by Exhale, a company that’s become the toast of New York’s spa-loving elite.
The overall idea is to deliver a resort experience that’s in a more contemporary vein than The Breakers, The Four Seasons and The Ritz-Carlton, the Palm Beach area’s tradition-bound Big Three resorts.
“They are formulaic. We are not,” said Schlesinger.
The Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau also sees The Omphoy as part of a rebranding of the local tourism market.
“There’s a sort of not-your-grandma’s-Palm Beach momentum happening,” said CVB spokesman Kenneth Morgan, referring to The Omphoy and the recent opening of new spas at The Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton.
But The Omphoy isn’t just about a difference in style. It’s also about a difference in scale. With 134 rooms, the resort is smaller than the neighboring Four Seasons (210 rooms). And it’s all but dwarfed by The Breakers (540 rooms).
The Omphoy also touts the fact that it will host events with a degree of privacy and privilege other resorts can’t match: If you get married here, you can rest assured you won’t be competing for attention with the wedding party in the adjoining ballroom. That’s because The Omphoy has only one true reception space.
In many ways, The Omphoy’s concept is nothing new. Similar “boutique”or “lifestyle” hotels have been all the rage in major destinations throughout the United States and Europe for the last couple of decades, such as The Delano in Miami Beach, which got a boutique makeover in 1995. Even big chains have gotten in on the act: A couple of years ago, Marriott announced it was partnering with Delano developer Ian Schrager on 100 new properties throughout the world.
Nor is the Schlesinger family entirely new to the concept: Through its West Palm Beach-based Obadon Hotel Group, the company owns and runs two other boutique resorts: the more conservatively designed Brazilian Court in Palm Beach and the Art Deco-inspired Mayfair Hotel in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood.
But with its seaside setting and push-the-envelope design, The Omphoy clearly represents something much larger, financially and otherwise. Not only did the family-run company, with support from other investors, pay $42 million for the former Hilton property, they also pumped a reported $55 million into the renovation, right down to the suede walls and oversize piece of driftwood that Leslie Schlesinger refashioned into a light fixture.
Some say it’s a bet that may not pay off. The boutique hotel business is struggling. While such hotels may appeal to a certain fashionista set, they often fail to connect with the mainstream.
“Boutiques are perceived to be more frivolous,” said Bjorn Hanson, a veteran hospitality and travel researcher based at New York University. Hanson also notes that business at boutique resorts has been off by as much as 30 percent in recent times.
On top of that, the Schlesingers have not had a perfect track record of success. This year, the Miami Herald reported that a “foreclosure action” was filed against the family’s development company, Ceebraid-Signal, regarding another resort, the Holiday Isle Beach Resort and Marina in Islamorada, which Ceebraid-Signal purchased in 2006 for $98 million. (Despite the action Richard Schlesinger noted his company continues to “operate the Holiday Isle.”) And in May, Ceebraid-Signal was hit with a foreclosure lawsuit on a 314-unit complex, the Village Club Apartments, it owns on Purdy Lane in Palm Springs.
But the family remains convinced it has a winner in The Omphoy, noting that the resort will appeal to tourists and locals alike. They anticipate Palm Beachers – or would-be Palm Beachers – coming by to visit the restaurant, take a fitness class at the spa or attend an occasional special event, such as a series of fashion shows that are in the works.
And a few might even bunk for the night. Take the case of local couple Matt and Sharon Calloway, who put off a planned honeymoon celebration so they could celebrate at The Omphoy when it opened just a few days ago.
The couple is familiar with the South Beach hot spots and they say The Omphoy is easily in the same league.
“It’s something like The Delano here in Palm Beach,” said Matt Calloway.
Although this is good for the local businesses in the area, the idea and concept will simply not work.
With The Resort on Singer Island not being able work through the rough economic climate in Palm Beach, Omphoy holds no chance of surviving.
I look forward to picking up this property in a year or so when its up for auction as a foreclosure.
this hotel will fail .one because the gm is a nutcase and 2 the property is cursed due to a suicide in room 209 many years ago
ummm….how do you slander someone as a nutcase then admit to believing in ghosts in the same post. Shouldn’t you be in school, 3rd grade started last week.
It’s a challenging time to open a boutique hotel, for sure. But it seems a beautiful and well-executed concept for such a hotel and I’ve traveled to similar hotels in other countries and felt it was worth every penny for the experience. At least with the Omphoy, airfare to get there will be much more reasonable. I wish the Schlesinger family and their employees much luck!
As a resident in the area I want to wish the Schlesinger family the best of good fortune, both my wife and I know that we will enjoy your brunches, dinners and special event. Please store my email for future special events and offers. Again, best of luck and a prosperous future.
Leni and Cheryl Valens
But will they have live music?
Well we know the tourism bureau is clueless, but they must be totally stupid to base their rebranding on a phony resort. Maybe not — they both are doomed.
wish you all the best.i think its a great idea
Sami,
Resort on Snger Island… how does that compare to Palm Beach/Manalapan???? Want to pick this up at foreclosure? things are bad in PBC, but not that bad… best of luck with the bottom searching.
C-
I really enjoyed my stays at The Resort at Singer Island. My husband and I stayed there twice to getaway but we live only about 10 miles from it. The decor is more European modern simplicity. I had an amazing spa experience there too. We ordered mostly room service and would probably rate it a 6. I believe I heard on the radio today that they plan on laying off 230+ people so that’s unfortunate. Resort is “all suites” plus a full kitchen.
The Ritz Carlton is a great hotel as well. It’s more “traditional luxury”. Loved everything we ordered from the room service menu. I also enjoyed my spa service and they have a beautiful pool area.
Not exactly apples to apples. Both are nice properties. Hope The Resort at Singer survives.
As a wealthy industrialist, philanthropist and bicyclist, I too agree that this concept will not work during this extended economic downturn. Many of my colleagues have been forced into more modest accommodations. I will keep an eye on things from my suite at the Four Seasons.
H.E. Pennypacker
HEY PENNYPACKER , YOU ARE FULL OF SHIT . I KNOW WHO YOU ARE , YOU DON’T STAY AT THE FOR SEASONS AND YOU HAVE NO MONEY ! ! !
YOU DO HAVE A BIKE ! ! !
SUCK MY DICK
The “ohm” stands for “out heavy money”. Probably too expensive for me.
Some of the very rich will still spend their [our] money on luxury, if they feel pampered enough or want to be seen.
But for the rest of us, the price tag for a stay at this hotel is just not worth the splurge.
On a recent trip, I stayed two nights in a luxury hotel having a “fire sale” on rooms. Our 250 sq. foot room cost $189 a night, the room’s rack rate was listed as $430. The carpeting and upholstery were very plush and color coordinated. Here are the amenities.
Doorman to open door, if he was not otherwise occupied
Unsmiling staff, adept at sighing loudly if asked to assist with anything.
$15 a day to park
26″ LED TV.
$19 a day for WiFi access
$5 for a bottle of water
$35 a day mandatory “access” fee for fitness room, pool, game room, concierge, etc.
mini bar stocked with pricey snacks and beverages and instructions to not use it for personal items.
High end bar and restaurant off lobby
Ice and coffee available from room service, tipping expected
$17 for continental breakfast
free imported toiletries, glasses
free newspaper outside room
$40 pp transport to airport if needed. Limo for hire if desired. I didn’t ask the price.
Another night, we stayed in a Best Western hotel at $89 a night for a 245 sq ft room, discounted from the rack rate of $129. The carpeting, bedspread and drapes were new, clean and color coordinated, but not as luxurious as the high end hotel. Here are the Best Western amenities
Automatically opening door, no doorman
Friendly smiling staff, eager to assist.
Free covered parking
Free WiFi
Free breakfast buffet with eggs cooked to order
free wine and cheese each afternoon
free coffee and tea
no bar or restaurants, but several nearby.
Free access to pool, game and fitness rooms
free toiletries
36″ LED TV
mini bar, empty, to use as desired, snacks and beverages available from off lobby market or drink machines.
microwave and coffee machine in room
ice machine on every floor, bucket in room
$2 for a bottle of water
free newspaper in lobby
no concierge, but desk clerks provided maps, lists and recommendations for local restaurants and attractions.
free shuttle to downtown and airport.
hummmmm
Try Motel 6
Or Super 8. They have free Wi-Fi!!
At 1st I thought that I read the name as Oh Phoney…. ooops! The concept actually is great, but for it to work, the management had better make sure that their staff is friendly and helpful to all, not just the “jet setters” else the whole concept is phoney and the resort will not bel long lasting.
Schlesingers will do just fine. They are known as Slumlords, especially in Connecticut where the elderly Schlesinger had to leave town after many scams and complaints from residents. Here, They will not care if their hotels do well or not .They will declare a tax loss, and scam the investors out of their funds. Its happened many times. It will occur again. Count on it!!
Unsophisticated,shlocky decor. Bad Karma. The new owners wife Leslie Schlesinger has as much interior design education and know how as the Pope has experience in making matzoh ball soup.
dont rehire any of the people that used to work there when it was a hilton.only about 15% of them would actually work and do a good job while the other 85% sat arund and did nothing orwere stealing from the property
As someone who has been in the industry for 25 years I think the nay sayers are dead wrong. Sami I think you are clueless. Have any of you stayede at Thye Mayfair, or Brazillian Court ? Do you have any idea the clout required to pull in DB or MB and the prestige this gives a property ?
The Ritz is a glorified Marriot Ritz Carlton has some very goo properties but this is not one of them.
The Breakers is Old and Tired and WAAAAAY Too expensive, their Business is down so much that they have started advertising on the radio ! The Madoff scam hurt Palm Beachers and the larger operations ….Breakers, but smaller properties like Omphoy, Brazillian Court are better positioned and more adaptable. Mar-A-Lago has taken about 50% of the Gala / Charity business from the big players, this used to pay the bills on PB not so much anymore.
I bet everyone a nickel Omphoy will be the next generation of the Palm Beach Luxury Market
btw. I am in no way connected to the property.
BA
These naysayers are pretty funny. I have a funny feeling most of them may be connected to the Four Seasons, Breakers and the Ritz. Good luck to the Omphoy-it is quite beautiful.
WOW – Way too much negativism. Although clearly things are difficult you have to also realize things will be picking up. It is all about having staying power. I find the overall attitude disappointing and the essence of why we are where we are at this time. Need to be more positive. Realistic Yes but positive.
I commend the Schlesingers for giving so many people an opportunity to work in a county that jobs are hard to find. They also are very careful to put out a quality product in a time when people do not take much pride in what they do and are only interested in how it benefits themselves. I challenge any of the critics to take on such a task and see how popular you will become. Other individuals success is hard for some to accept, it would be refreshing for people to overlook their personal jealousies for a change and give credit where it is do. Much success to the Schlesinger family and I think the Omphoy is a very well done property!
I hear the restaurant and the bar is fantastic and with Kurt Taylor’s reputation in Palm Beach… overseeing things its sure to be a hit.
The resort is absolutely stunning. Had dinner in the restaurant and the food was phenomenal. Michelle Bernstein is a big name that will surely bring much business and attention to the Omphoy. The staff was smiling and extremely helpful, from the valets to the wait staff. I wish the property much success, and we will certainly be frequent visitors.
I agree:-)
Having stayed at the Brazilian Court, I welcome the addition of a wonderful, new and beautiful resort from the Schesingers. Their taste is exquisite and Leslie Scheslinger’s interiors are breath-taking. I have already booked at the Omphoy for “the season” and am delighted something so beautiful has just opened on the water in PB. Having been a top exec with Conde Nast Traveler magazine, and having created the “Reader’s Choice Awards” for the magazine, I can already tell you, after my tour of this new hotel, that it is one of the most beautiful in Florida, if not all of the US. I wish everyone well with this stunning hotel. Bravo!
The decor certainly does not appeal to me.
Lisa and Richard Schlesinger are crooks who did not pay their subcontractor bills at the Omphoy. Hotel looks great but many did not get paid who helped build it.
Some people are looking at this place as an opportunity and so did I. If you are looking to get screwed over, go work for these people. The Schlesinger are the worst people I ever worked for. We sure broke our tails making this place looking beautiful. Lisa, I share your pain. Big time.
Wonder if the Schlesinger’s who are also responsible for the infested Eden Condominium in Boca will invite the poor souls who’s lives they screwed over to live at the Ophoy?
Click here: Boca officials say no to Eden developer
amazing ! my friend recently dined there and told me how beautiful it was so I had to see for myself .It looks great on the site maybe i should come see for myself.
down under x
Everybody is talking about the giant moby that was seen in the restaurant area last night . The latest sighting was close to 2 months ago therefore his presence would not have gone undetected .Im glad to hear he was out at this fabulous establishment hoping next time I am there to witness it !
ps the rooms seem very cheap especially by the australian dollar .
pps do you have ketchup on the menu ? my friend has a condition that she can only eat beautiful food smoothered in ketchup .yum !
kimberley
I’ve visited the Omphoy several times, its an amazing luxury resort with exceptional customer service. I’ve always had the best experience. I wish this family the best and they are in fact still open. The Omphoyis my secret getaway where I’m treated the best as soon as I walk through the doors. Good luck Omphoy:-)