Florida’s number one chill ambassador Jimmy Buffett added to his growing business empire in late 2015 with the opening of Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. The 17-story, $150-million hotel strikes the perfect balance of coastal luxury and the laid-back lifestyle Buffett is known for around the world.

It features 349 guest rooms/suites (including the 2,834-square-foot Jimmy Buffett Presidential Suite that can cost up to $5,000 a night), full-service spa, eight bars and restaurants, multiple pools, surf simulator, kid’s club, and beach and resort shops that stock exclusive Margaritaville merchandise.

Here are 8 reasons why we think the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort is beyond cool.

Blown Out Flip Flop

Walking in the front door of the hotel, you immediately notice a 14-foot-tall electric blue flip flop sculpture with a pop top nearby. The sign at its base reads: “Blown Out Flip Flop. The acclaimed artist, whose more contemplative works appear in museum collections around the world (often featuring his signature sun baked canvases covered in oil), has gone to the beach this season. He prefers to remain anonymous, allowing his first work in the emerging genre of POP-top-ART to speak for itself.” It’s almost mandatory that everyone who visits has to take a selfie with this unique piece of art.

Inviting Colorful Lobby

Without a doubt, this has to be the most creatively designed, eye-catching hotel lobby we’ve ever seen. Every element in this comfortable space is designed to provoke conversation and encourage guests to linger. (We seriously didn’t want to leave!) You could easily roll up on one of the large modern sofas and take a long nap. Suspended with ropes from the ceiling are oversized porch swings, possibly a first for any hotel lobby. Hanging in the middle of the room is a lighting structure made entirely of margarita glasses that give the space an unpretentious hint of sophistication. Antique wooden surf boards hang on the walls and parrots in flight are everywhere you look. Lining a walkway to some of the rooms are three indoor cabanas adorned with the lyrics from Buffett’s signature song Margaritaville: “Strumming my six-string, Nibblin’ on sponge cake, Watchin’ the sun bake.”

So Many Places to Eat & Drink

In addition to the on-site Margaritaville Restaurant, the resort has enough food and bar options to make you never want to leave the property. Adjacent to the lobby is JWB (James William Buffett) Prime Steak & Seafood, a new upscale restaurant concept that’s only open for dinner. The Landshark Bar & Grill offers panoramic views of the Atlantic on the oceanfront deck while Floridays provides quick food truck fare out of a vintage airstream trailer parked on the Broadwalk. There’s also a rooftop bar on the 11th floor that’s exclusive to guests and the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill across A1A overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.

Catch a Wave

Adventurous types can attempt to surf on the resort’s FlowRider Double, a surfing simulator directly on the Broadwalk that’s open to the public and guests. While we weren’t brave enough to try it ourselves, we spent more than an hour having fun laughing at all those who did and ended up wiping out instead. Next time, we conquer it!

Spa Day

The spas of South Beach can’t top the resort’s St. Somewhere Spa, a serene 11,000 square-foot getaway with eleven treatment rooms (two designed specifically for couples), steam rooms, scrub room, and rainfall showers. There’s also a co-ed wet lounge featuring a hot tub and relaxation benches.

Minimalist-Tropical Rooms & Suites

Influenced by the colors of the sea, sand and sky, the resort’s guestrooms and suites boast teak-finished furnishings accompanied by subtle maritime accents. On the sea-colored wall above the bed is a series of strategically-placed window shutters which provide texture and depth and give the space plenty of character. The bathroom has a spacious walk-in shower with sea glass colored tile. Every element in the room is designed to transport the guest to the Caribbean paradise they’ve always imagined.

Fun Activities for All Ages

This island-inspired paradise features three unique pools — two on the beach level and one incredible rooftop pool on the 11th floor. The beach is just a few steps away from the hotel’s back door while across the street on the Intracoastal, guests can paddleboard or take part in other water activities. For the younger set, there’s the Parakeet Kids Club with tons of games and crafts supervised by trained counselors.

Live Entertainment

What would a resort by a legendary singer and songwriter be without live music? You’ll find plenty at the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. On any given night, guests can enjoy performances from some of South Florida’s hottest local musicians who play at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Restaurant, 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill and Landshark Bar & Grill. MHBR has also taken over the iconic Hollywood Bandshell, allowing the resort to put on almost nightly concerts for everyone on the Hollywood Broadwalk. It’s truly a party atmosphere you have to experience.