The hotel disclosed the layoffs in a letter to Florida officials, as required by federal law, and revealed the renovation and closure will impact 425 employees.
With the resort shutting down, all of its on-property dining venues — including popular restaurant Lightkeepers — are also expected to close. Plus, guests accustomed to sipping tequila on Cantina Beach's oceanfront patio or indulging in Lightkeepers' famed weekend brunch will have to wait for the reopening.
Here's a list of all the restaurants, bars, and on-the-go food shops on the property that will likely be affected:
- Lightkeepers
- Cantina Beach
- Rumbar/Lobby Lounge
- Dune Burgers on the Beach
- Scoop
- Key Pantry: Eat.Drink.Shop.
- Stefano's Wood Fired Pizza
A Temporary Farewell
Gencom, the Coconut Grove-based investment firm that originally developed the resort in 2000 and regained majority ownership in 2024, is leading the overhaul, according to the Miami Herald. The extensive renovation is expected to modernize guest rooms, public spaces, and dining areas.The 13-story Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne has long been a mainstay of South Florida luxury, offering nearly 300 rooms, multiple pools, a fitness and wellness center, a tennis center, approximately 1,000 feet of beach access, and several high-end restaurants, including Lightkeepers. Key Biscayne itself has a storied past. Once a quiet island dotted with modest homes built in the 1950s, it gained national recognition when President Richard Nixon established his "Winter White House" there. Over the decades, it has transformed into one of Miami’s most exclusive enclaves.
Details on the specific upgrades remain sparse, and there is no information on whether the existing food and beverage establishments will return to their original form or if the group plans to unveil new concepts instead.
For now, the closure marks a temporary farewell to the flavors and experiences that have made the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne a favored local spot. While it marks the end of an era — at least for the next six months — it sets the stage for an elevated future. Until then, regulars can only count down the days to their next toast by the shore.
The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami. 455 Grand Bay Dr., Key Biscayne; 305-365-4500; ritzcarlton.com. Closing May 2025 for renovations until December 2025.
