Allegiant plans to sell Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor, a project that took five years to complete and was initially pitched as a major tourist destination.
"I’m from Arcadia, Florida, grew up there, my husband and daughter when visiting each time we stayed at Sunseeker we watched them build it so we stayed a couple of times last being the Fourth of July weekend, it was actually packed that weekend and we enjoyed ourself and just had a great time," said Patricia Lanier, a past guest at Sunseeker.
Sunseeker Resort opened in December 2023.
"It’s a nice addition to the community."
Gulf Coast News has covered the resort since its groundbreaking.
The resort was supposed to open in spring 2021, but construction paused as Allegiant shifted focus to its airline business after losing millions during the pandemic.
Since then, the resort has encouraged people to work for them, offering a $100,000 bonus to employees who work for 10 years.
During the fourth quarter, only 54% of rooms were booked on average, with a daily rate of about $238 per night.
"It’s fun to walk around and see the amenities, it’s a little expensive to park if I was going to say a negative in that way," said Betty Kelly, a Charlotte County resident.
People are curious about the future of the $700 million hotel.
"It is curious to see them encourage this to happen and now their kind of just trying to sell off so yeah hope it’s not another eyesore of a place that just goes by the wayside hope not for that for the community. We hope it falls into good hands that keep it going," Kelly said.
So what happens with the incentive for employees if they sell? Or is Allegiant planning on pulling any flights from the airport when they sell? All questions Gulf Coast Newws planned to ask Allegiant and Sunseeker, but we have yet to hear back.