Kekst and Company is guiding PR for the owner of Miami’s Eden Roc hotel in a showdown with Marriott International, which has accused the owner of mounting an “egregious raid in the pre-dawn hours” and sued to retain management of the iconic 56-year-old property.
Eden Roc LLLP released a statement Oct. 14 saying its management company had taken over the 631-room luxury property.
Eden Roc hotel |
“Under Marriott's management, Eden Roc lost market share despite its exceptional amenities and legendary reputation,” Diego Ardid, VP Eden Roc, said in a statement from Kekst that day. “Our exhaustive efforts to encourage Marriott to correct its numerous management defaults, and to preserve our partnership, proved fruitless, leaving us with no option but regain control and to put this property on the path to success.”
But Marriott’s Renaissance Hotel Management unit, which has a contract to run the hotel through 2030, obtained a temporary restraining order from Eden Roc’s takeover this week, accusing the property owners of planning an “egregious raid in the pre-dawn hours” of Oct. 14, the day of the Eden Roc news release.
Marriott, which seeks a permanent injunction, says in its suit filed in NewYork State Supreme Court that Eden Roc’s “initial hostile takeover” attempt was unsuccessful in part due to “timely police intervention.” The hotel company said Eden roc principals, along with security officers and litigation counsel, arrived at the hotel at 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 14, attempting to force Renaissance and its employees out of the property.
Eden Roc, via Kekst, released a brief statement Oct. 15, saying that it disagrees with the court’s issuance of a temporary restraining apparently barring the owners from taking possession. The company said it will abide by the order pending further court action in its dispute with Marriott. It filed a suit earlier this year to regain the hotel.
Renaissance, meanwhile, continues to manage the hotel, which sits on Miami’s Millionaire’s Row.
New York-based Kekst managing director Todd Fogarty handles Eden Roc.