Burak Sezgin, General Manager, Amrit Ocean Resort
Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences distinguishes itself through its vast 103,000-square-foot wellness and spa facility, one of the largest in Florida and the nation. In an interview with Invest:, General Manager Burak Sezgin discussed the resort’s unique wellness concept, as well as the challenges the team is navigating. “Despite labor challenges, we’ve adopted a highly selective hiring approach at Amrit. We don’t just hire for a role; we seek individuals who are eager to grow with us, commit to our journey, and embody the Amrit philosophy,” Sezgin said.
What market do you target with your wellness and spa offering?
Our resort is home to Florida’s largest wellness and spa facility, spanning 103,000 square feet and ranking among the six largest in the country. We incorporate state-of-the-art technology and have exclusive partnerships with Deepak Chopra and Dr. Uma from Harvard University, creating an experience that is truly one of a kind. For events, Amrit stands out with a 3.5-acre private beach, ideal for signature weddings. We also feature three restaurants and a total of 1 million square feet of space. To put this in perspective, Palm Beach Gardens Mall is 960,000 square feet, while Amrit Resort is 1.06 million square feet that allows us to accommodate virtually any event. Whether it’s a dream wedding or another special occasion, the answer is always “yes.”
Our private beach sets the stage for bespoke weddings complemented by a 12,000-square-foot indoor facility for conventions and social events. Additionally our eight rooftops spaces, each over 3,000 square feet, are outfitted with a jacuzzi, barbecue, kitchen and direct 19th floor ocean views. Are in high demand for outdoor gatherings. Amrit is the ideal venue for social celebrations, corporate events and wedding weekends.
What makes your property different from others in the market?
We differentiate ourselves through a comprehensive wellness concept. We offer complimentary yoga and relaxation classes for all our guests, including group business travelers and weddings parties. Our wellness approach is especially popular among wedding groups Brides and grooms are often thrilled by our complimentary marriage yoga, an ancient Eastern practice believed to strengthen bonds and lead to a long, happy and successful marriage. This is not just tradition, studies show sessions like these can be beneficial for couples preparing for marriage. These offerings set us up apart nationally.
For our group business clients and corporations, who often experience stress from travel, being away from family, and attending meetings or conventions, we provide restorative sessions. Our expansive 103,000-square-foot spa features thermal experiences, red light therapy, an infrared chamber and over 48 different treatments, ranging from IV drips and salon services to yoga and Tai Chi. Beyond personalized wellness services, we hold the patent for our customized programs, making us the only resort and spa in the country with this exclusive capability. Through interviews with our on-site doctors, nurses, therapists, and scientists, we tailor wellness plans to enhance quality of life and increase longevity. Amrit is more than just a luxury beach resort; it is a dedicated wellness space.
How do you ensure your philosophy is reflected in all aspects of the guest experience?
Amrit, meaning “excellence in life” or “immortality” in Indian, combines Western modern technology with Eastern holistic philosophy. The resort offers guests the opportunity to enhance their quality of life and happiness. The value lies not in simply providing a vacation, meeting space, or business opportunity, but in contributing to guests’ happiness while earning their business. Our philosophy is to operate year-round, not just seasonally. This wellness concept provides significant market opportunities as we are not dependent on seasonal visitors from outside the state or specific valued guests coming to Florida. We are open to the public, welcoming everyone from across Florida and the entire United States.
What role does technology play when enhancing the guest experience of the resort?
Our technology is truly remarkable, and some of our equipment is exclusive to Florida. For example, we offer a hyperbaric chair with adjustable pressure, followed by red light therapy and our Ammortal Chamber. This chamber combines red light therapy, PEMF technology, vibroacoustic sound, guided meditation and hydrogen therapy and is designed for cellular restoration, inflammation reduction, and mental clarity. Amrit offers far more than traditional spa treatments, we bring together advanced technology with Eastern philosophy to create a distinctive and transformational wellness system.
What have been some of the biggest challenges that you have faced since joining Amrit?
Like many resorts, our primary challenge has been sourcing the right talent. The hospitality sector faced significant struggles post-COVID, leading to a noticeable shortage of experienced professionals and a highly competitive local labor market. Despite labor challenges, we’ve adopted a highly selective hiring approach at Amrit. We don’t just hire for a role; we seek individuals who are eager to grow with us, commit to our journey, and embody the Amrit philosophy. While this made recruitment challenging, we’ve been incredibly fortunate to assemble a truly remarkable team. I feel immensely blessed by the team we’ve built here.
