A Resort Reimagined

Whether you want to relax in the sun or on the water, voco Sandpiper Resort’s all-inclusive packages offer beauty, rest, food and entertainment. VOCO SANDPIPER RESORT PHOTOS

How investors revived a 216‑acre waterfront asset

BY ELLEN GILLETTE

The Latin verb voco means “to call,” but it can also mean “to invite.” Port St. Lucie’s new voco Sandpiper Resort invites residents and tourists to enjoy a luxurious stay at Florida’s newest all-inclusive resort. After a soft opening in early January, Phase One of the multi-million dollar renovations are finished; reservations for overnight stays and day passes are now on sale.

Voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort isthe first of its kind among InterContinental Hotel Group’s U.S. holdings. Located on the St. Lucie River, voco Sandpiper aims to provide a relaxing vibe with the most modern accommodations. It has multiple dining options, meeting spaces, venue options and entertainment. The resort’s convenient location will draw local residents for stay-cations, as well as tourists seeking a destination or a launching pad for exploring the area.

Voco hotels are an upscale element of the IHG brand. Miranda Allison is marketing director. “[The company] allows you to speak to the soul of property with marketing and events, creating your guest experience,” she said. “We’re excited to be the first all-inclusive voco, and one of the few resort vocos.”

PROPERTY’S PAST

Newly renovated rooms, some of which have balconies or porches, are spacious, tasteful and modern.

The 216-acre property has gone through several incarnations since the city’s earliest days. General Development Corporation [GDC] purchased land that became the site of Port St. Lucie Country Club, which opened in 1961. By 1972, it was named the St. Lucie Hilton Inn and Country Club, followed by Sandpiper Bay Resort. 

In 1986, GDC sold the property to Club Med, a French-based resort corporation advertising itself as “an antidote to civilization.” Club Med Port St. Lucie was the first North American village, but residents were concerned about Club Med’s “swinging singles” reputation. They also worried that public access would be limited. Nevertheless, Club Med won over the community.

Club Med Academies shared the Sandpiper property until it was sold in 2022 for $55 million. RPS Academies, a private school offering rigorous academics and elite sports training, is still on the property. The resort operated as Wyndham Trademark Collection during part of its $50 million renovation. Today, Sandpiper Bay Resort is part of voco Hotels, a premium brand owned by InterContinental Hotels Group PLC. The resort is owned by Sandpiper Bay Resort Holdings LLC, led by Feenix Venture Partners and Ghost Tree Partners. 

Voco Sandpiper’s riverfront beach is close to all dining and rooms.

RENOVATED ROOMS

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the resort package, with top shelf liquors available for an additional cost.

Revamping and upgrades continue on everything from landscaping to buildings, but they are definitely open for business. Two buildings of guest rooms have been completely renovated. “We have 100 rooms that are ready for guests now,” Allison said. “And we have three additional guest buildings that we’ll be bringing online, probably towards mid-year. We’ll be doing them one at a time, in a phased approach. By the end of 2026, we should have 249 rooms available for guests.”

Accommodations include king standard, river-view and garden-view rooms, featuring balconies or walk-out patios, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, HDTV, WiFi, tables, tub/showers and USB charging stations, as well as the standard amenities. 

Voco Sandpiper rooms have wood-grain laminate flooring with small, colorful area rugs — hard floors have been favored for easier cleaning since COVID. Although many hotels have eliminated or reduced daily housekeeping services to cut costs, the resort provides them.

Two-bedroom suites can sleep up to six, with a king bed, two sleep sofas and TV in one room, and two twin beds and a second TV in the other. Suites also have one full bathroom and one half-bath.

Lee Fluker, founder of Bolt + Riot Studio, designed the renovations. “I came and stayed with my family over Christmas,” Fluker said. “So I got to enjoy the fruits of our labor.”

Throughout the resort, new metal roofs have been installed in a tropical blue, with coordinating chairs and umbrellas for outdoor seating. Cocoa muralist Lyssa Wyn’s butterfly wings are featured on one wall for a fun photo op. “We’re adding a lot of murals,” Allison said. “We’ll do it in a way where guests are able to watch the artists create.”

ALL-INCLUSIVE

The adults-only infinity pool is a peaceful place in which to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty.

Beverage packages at some resorts and on cruises are often purchased separately. At voco Sandpiper, the price of a room includes food and all beverages — both alcoholic and non-alcoholic — along with activities and entertainment.

A day might start with a breakfast buffet, followed by corn-hole on the riverfront beach. Non-motorized water sports such as kayaking and paddle-boarding are included; boat and jet ski rentals, as well as a sunset cruise are available for additional fees through Salty’s Watersports on-site.

There are two swimming pools: one for everyone, one that’s adults-only. Music at the main pool might be live, such as Eman’s Steel Drum, or provided by a DJ. Inside the arcade, pay-to-play games and air hockey tournaments are available. Games and activities such as origami, trivia and karaoke are offered throughout the day at various locations.

For those who want a quieter time, Adirondack chairs, benches and rockers are scattered around the property — peaceful spots where guests can read, enjoy conversations and watch for wildlife. The St. Lucie River Basin is a protected inland waterway, so heron, manatees, dolphins and alligators may be spotted. According to Kara Rosner, a public relations specialist whose company Diamond PR represents voco Sandpiper, “I was sitting by the water and saw flying fish. Beautiful.”

There is no extra fee for non-motorized water sports, but jet ski and boat rentals are also available.

VERY FINE DINING

Mark Jones is the resort’s executive chef. An Irishman who has worked in multiple Michelin-starred venues in Europe, Jones leads an accomplished staff and a roster of eateries that will eventually include seven restaurants and bars — all of them utilizing Florida suppliers whenever possible.

Rosner has traveled extensively for her job, enjoying fine food around the world. “[Chef Mark] is fabulous,” she said.

In addition to traditional dining, container concepts for quick bites will be added. Food venues either in operation or planned for later in the year are Lucie’s beach-side location for casual international street food, the poolside Hideaway Bar, Match Point sports bar, the Sunset Bar outdoor lounge, Café for pastries and coffees, Versus Bar with fun and entertainment, the Solara’s seafood and vegan dishes, and a Latin grill.

Riverside Market is in full operation. “What we want to focus on here is show cooking, with guests interacting with the chefs, who can explain where the food comes from and how we’re cooking it,” Jones said. “We want to elevate the experience.”

Different areas offer pizza fresh from the oven, a carving station and American fare — hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese. Tandoori ovens make fresh naan, kebabs and chicken tikka. Different international dishes are rotated through the daily menus for a total of 1,173 items. Future spaces will specialize in Asian and Italian foods.

Boat owners can dock right at voco Sandpiper’s marina for a relaxing stay on land.

AFFORDABLE ELEGANCE

Pickleball and tennis enthusiasts don’t have to give up their passion or practice while staying at voco Sandpiper.

Skylar and Jamie Mohlis traveled to Port St. Lucie from Palmetto, a city near the west coast of Florida. Having enjoyed the all-inclusive resort experience at Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, they were pleased to hear about voco Sandpiper. A similar-type resort in Key Largo was cost-prohibitive. “This is much more accessible,” Skylar said.

“There’s good energy here,” Jamie added. “You’re not packed in. They don’t force the party on you.“

Voco Sandpiper offers all-inclusive or à la carte venue options for weddings, corporate events, parties and more. A spa is planned for the future, as is the grand opening. Media days and complimentary community events are helping get the word out that a new-and-improved Sandpiper is back in business.

“We’re ready to welcome everyone back,” Allison said. “We believe it’s important to be an integral part of our community outside of what we do as a resort. We do a lot of different volunteer opportunities — we’ve partnered with the Florida Oceanographic Society and took a group to sow seagrass mats for our manatees.”

The resort also gives back through community initiatives with the Port St. Lucie Council on Aging, CareBag — a Port St. Lucie nonprofit that gives away hygiene products, planting mangroves with MANG, and more. 

Of course, the main focus of voco Sandpiper is to create a welcoming, fun experience for guests. Fluker continues to be on property now and then during the renovations, which the resort hopes to complete this year. “You kind of get spoiled,” she said. “The food is great. My room’s cleaned. I get coffee. A diversity of options.”

And who doesn’t like being spoiled? 

On-site courts and fields are great for friendly games or fierce competitions.

Voco Sandpiper Resort

4500 SE Pine Valley St.
Port St. Lucie, Florida 34952
772.398.5100
sandpiperallinclusive.com
Rooms and day passes are now available.