Category Archives: Property Spotlights

Oleta River Grill Brings New Life to a Miami Landmark

This July, Oleta River Grill at Oleta River State Park opened its doors in North Miami, breathing new energy into a waterfront space with decades of history. Built on the bones of the old Blue Marlin Fish House, a fixture dating back to 1938 with roots as a commercial fishing operation and smokehouse, the new concept blends nostalgia with a fresh identity and an ambitious vision for what a property restaurant can be.

Two images overlapping. The background image shows the interior of the new Oleta River Grill. The foreground image shows a mural being painted by an artist in the restaurant.

A Storied Site, Reimagined

The Blue Marlin Fish House had sat closed and in disrepair for years before the team stepped in. “It was in all sorts of disarray and not functioning, but it did have kitchen equipment, so we knew we could salvage it,” said Laura Sherman, Vice President, Hospitality. The team preserved the original structure but rebuilt nearly everything else: new flooring, new seating, refurbished decks. Additionally, a screen enclosure was added to allow guests to enjoy open-air dining with the outdoor breeze.

Two vibrant murals commissioned by a local artist give the restaurant a playful edge. Splashed across the building, bold yellows, reds, and blues practically beg passersby to pull over and see what’s cooking.

The Concept and the Menu

Rather than reinvent the wheel, the team leaned into what made the original space beloved. “We really approached it along the same way that it was before … really just kind of freshened it up, but still keeping with the seafood vibe,” said Chris Lee, Area Manager. The menu features fan favorites like smoked fish dip and conch fritters alongside other popular items like seafood tacos, carnitas pork tacos, and mojo pork sliders, plus burgers and wings. Mike Lutz, General Manager & Executive Chef, Doho Cafe at Doheny Beach, lent his culinary expertise to help develop the menu and open the property.

More Than a Restaurant: A Kayak Launch, Too

One of the property’s best-kept secrets is its water access. Guests can rent and launch kayaks directly from the restaurant, a shortcut alternative to the often-crowded main rental area in Oleta River State Park. “It’s right there on the river,” Lee said. “You know, somebody can go and take a kayak out and come back and come sit at the restaurant … and just relax and enjoy the atmosphere.”

Behind the Scenes

The project took roughly eight months from concept to opening. General Manager David Snyder, Food and Beverage Manager Deja Lawson (who’s relocating from Virginia and joining the team in September), and the property’s growing staff have been instrumental to getting things up and running. Additionally, Chris expressed strong gratitude for the unwavering support from Laura Sherman and Matt Smith, District Manager. “It was truly an all-around team effort,” said Chris.

Early Response and What’s Next

Guest response so far has been overwhelmingly positive with return visitors favorably comparing new menu items to those they recall from Blue Marlin Fish House in years past. Looking ahead, the team plans seasonal menu shifts to serve both summer locals and winter snowbirds, along with live entertainment to draw in the surrounding community. As Chris put it, reflecting on lessons for other properties considering similar projects: “The biggest thing is learning your audience.”

From its storied roots to its sunny new look, Oleta River Grill is proof that a little vision, and a lot of teamwork, can turn a long-shuttered space into a true neighborhood destination. As word spreads and the paddles keep coming in, this waterfront gem is just getting started.

A Fourth of July 250 Years in the Making

In a few weeks, the United States will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The milestone, celebrated nationwide as America250, has been building all year. For Guest Services, a company that has spent more than a century welcoming guests to America’s parks, monuments, and public lands, this Fourth of July carries special weight. “We never viewed ourselves simply as operators in these spaces,” wrote CEO Nico Foris when we shared our vision for the celebration this spring. “We viewed ourselves as guests entrusted with something far bigger than our business.”

Now the vision is becoming real. Properties across the country are ready with events, special offers, and commemorative experiences for the anniversary weekend and beyond. Here is where to find the celebration.

Ring In the Fourth on Washington’s Waterfront

There may be no better seat for the country’s 250th birthday fireworks than a kayak on the water, and our Adventures Unbound Boathouses (formerly Boating in DC) have a paddle waiting in Washington, DC. The holiday lineup looks a little different this year, with river closures in place from July 2 through July 4, so here is where to find the celebration on the water.

Key Bridge Boathouse is the place to be on the river for the Fourth. It stays open for rentals through the weekend with one change for the holiday. From July 2 through July 4, all rentals launch north of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which shifts the route and viewing area for its 4th of July Fireworks Paddle.

The boathouse carries history of its own. It sits at the foot of the bridge, steps from the site of the Georgetown home where Francis Scott Key lived when he wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner.” On the nation’s 250th birthday, you will be paddling the same river the anthem’s author once called home.

If you would rather celebrate on land, Thompson’s Boat Center has its rentals and water access closed from July 2 through July 4, though the building stays open for ice cream, drinks, and more, and the team is hosting a Land Party on the Fourth. For the full rundown across every location, see the list of river closures and changes for July 4th.

Barbecue and Fireworks at Bear Mountain

In New York’s Hudson Highlands, the Bear Mountain Inn kicks off the holiday season early with an Independence Day Celebration BBQ on June 26. Beginning at 4 p.m., guests can fill a plate with slow-smoked brisket, ribs, and pulled pork alongside mac and cheese, coleslaw, baked beans, and cornbread, then settle in for an evening fireworks display over the mountain. Come early, eat well, and stay for the show.

Few of our properties sit closer to the Revolution itself. Bear Mountain State Park holds the ruins of Fort Clinton, where American defenders made their stand against a British assault on the Hudson in October 1777. The park made history again in 1923, when the first completed section of the Appalachian Trail opened here, and the Inn itself has welcomed travelers since 1915.

Jet Skis and Live Music on Lake Mohave

Out west, Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina is hosting one of the liveliest celebrations of the weekend. Set on the shores of Lake Mohave just one hour south of Las Vegas, our Lake Mead Mohave Adventures team has lined up a full day of festivities for Saturday, July 4. Five-time world champion free rider Mark Gomez of JETEFX headlines two jet ski shows, a high-action freestyle performance at 5:30 p.m. and a red, white, and blue LED laser show at 7:30 p.m. Guests can watch from the marina or call ahead to reserve a spot in the coveted splash zone. An all-American BBQ dinner runs from 6 to 8 p.m., and the Velvet Moon Band takes the stage at 6 p.m.

The patriotic spread carries through the long weekend, with red, white, and blue pancakes, BBQ hot dogs, and souvenir specials priced at $2.50 to mark the nation’s anniversary. “Cottonwood Cove is the best kept secret for both locals and visitors alike this Fourth of July weekend,” said Lisa Duncan, Senior Director of Operations for Lake Mead Mohave Adventures. “Guests can escape the summer heat by spending the weekend cooling off in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Mohave before enjoying live music, an all-American BBQ and a thrilling jet ski stunt show featuring world champion Mark Gomez.” Lakeside rooms at the Cottonwood Cove Motel and RV sites with full hook-ups are still available for anyone who wants to stay the weekend.

A Fee-Free Fourth in the Everglades

Everglades National Park is waiving entrance fees for the entire holiday weekend, July 3 through July 5. That makes it the perfect window to explore Flamingo, the park’s southern outpost on Florida Bay, where boat tours, glamping, and the marina put the wildest corner of Florida within reach. Pair the free entrance with our America250 offer below and the weekend gets even sweeter.

The Everglades holds a milestone of its own in the American story. When President Harry Truman dedicated the park in 1947, it became the first national park created to protect a living ecosystem rather than a scenic landmark, a turning point in how the country thinks about conservation.

Save 25 Percent With Code AMERICA250

The celebration is not limited to a single weekend. Throughout 2026, the promo code AMERICA250 unlocks commemorative offers at participating properties from coast to coast:

  • Keepsake lodging packages at lodges including Bear Mountain Inn, Big Sur Lodge, The Lodge at Breckenridge, The Lodge at Lake Guntersville, Flamingo Everglades, and the Wakulla Springs Lodge. Each package includes co-branded America250 souvenir swag plus a one-time 25 percent dining discount during your stay.
  • 25 percent off boat tours and paddle craft rentals at participating Florida locations, from the springs of Weeki Wachee and De Leon to the mangroves of Oleta River.
  • 25 percent off the Postcard Tour at Hoover Dam Rafting Adventures.
  • Houseboat savings on Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and Lake Roosevelt, where select houseboat vacations are 25 percent off.

The commemorative gear is already arriving on property. At The Lodge at Wakulla Springs, exclusive America 250 merchandise has hit the shelves, with patriotic hats, tees, and water bottles inspired by classic Americana.

See our full lineup of America250 offers at Adventures Unbound, organized by state and property with booking links for each one. Select dates, locations, and restrictions apply, so check each offer’s details before you book.

A Celebration That Lasts Beyond the Fourth

America250 began for us in January, when we reflected on our role in America’s story and committed to bringing the celebration to life through culinary, retail, and on-site experiences all year long. The Fourth of July is the centerpiece, but the commemoration continues through December with themed menus, co-branded merchandise, and property activations still to come.

For Nico, that is exactly the point. “These parks are more than destinations,” he wrote. “They are classrooms, gathering places, and living reminders of our shared history and values.” His ambition for the year reaches past the fireworks: “If we do this right, America 250 won’t just be a moment of reflection. It will be a turning point that inspires lifelong appreciation, responsibility, and pride in our public lands and in what it truly means to be an American.”

Wherever the summer takes you, there is a place in the celebration waiting. We hope to see you out there.

Two Legacies, One Lodge: Welcoming The Lodge at Lake Guntersville

Atop Taylor Mountain in northeast Alabama sits a lodge with a view that stops you in your tracks. The Lodge at Lake Guntersville is the resort centerpiece of Lake Guntersville State Park, a 6,000-acre park on the shore of Alabama’s largest lake. This month, we are proud to welcome The Lodge into the Guest Services family and into our Adventures Unbound portfolio of iconic outdoor destinations.

 

A First-of-Its-Kind Alabama Partnership

Guest Services has stewarded America’s parks and public spaces since 1917. Alabama State Parks, established by the State Land Act of 1927 and shaped in its early years by the Civilian Conservation Corps, has spent nearly a century preserving and showcasing the natural beauty and heritage of the state. The Lodge at Lake Guntersville marks the first time these two legacies have come together.

“Bringing together two organizations with such deep and enduring histories is truly meaningful for all of us at Guest Services, Inc.,” said Nico Foris, CEO. “Since 1917, our company has been built around a philosophy of creating exceptional guest experiences while serving as responsible stewards of some of our country’s most treasured destinations.”

“Alabama State Parks has carried a remarkably similar mission since 1927, preserving and showcasing the incredible natural beauty and heritage of this state for generations of visitors,” he added.

For Nico, the alignment of values is what makes the partnership special. “We believe the strongest partnerships are long-term relationships rooted in trust, collaboration, shared purpose, and a commitment to elevating the guest experience while protecting the integrity of the property itself,” he said.

A Lodge with a View

The main lodge sits atop Taylor Mountain with meeting and banquet rooms, a full-service restaurant, a swimming pool, hot tubs, and a sauna. A four-year, $24 million renovation completed in 2008 gave the building its current character: massive stone pillars, exposed wooden beams, and natural stone fireplaces. Guests dine at the Pinecrest Dining Room and gather at the Hickory Lounge.

The property offers three distinct kinds of lodging:

  • Lodge Rooms and Suites overlook Lake Guntersville from the bluff, keeping guests close to the trails, the marina, and the early morning launch. The main lodge holds 112 of them.
  • Mountain Top Chalets sit at the top of Taylor Mountain, offering space, solitude, and everything guests need to relax between lake days.
  • Lakeside Cabins sit close to the shoreline, with room to spread out after a full day on Lake Guntersville.

Recreation in Every Direction

Lake Guntersville State Park gives guests an extraordinary range of ways to spend the day.

  • Eagle’s Nest Golf Course: an 18-hole championship course winding through the property
  • Screaming Eagle Zipline: canopy tours through the trees of Taylor Mountain
  • Bass fishing: Lake Guntersville is a renowned bass fishing destination, fed by the Tennessee River and served by the park’s Town Creek Fishing Center
  • 36 miles of hiking and biking trails with weekly guided hikes
  • Beach complex open May through September for lodge and cabin guests
  • Eagle Awareness programs on select January and February weekends, as Alabama’s nesting bald eagle population continues to grow with Lake Guntersville at the focal point

A Conference Destination in the Heart of the Tennessee Valley

Laura Sherman, Vice President of Hospitality, sees The Lodge as one of the strongest conference and event destinations in the region. “The Lodge is a world-class conference center, and we are excited to offer customized catering and event planning for organizations like the University of Alabama, Auburn, NASA, and the FBI,” she said. The convention center accommodates national, state, and regional meetings, and reservations are open up to two years in advance.

Laura also pointed to the property’s geography as a defining advantage. “Located conveniently between Huntsville and Birmingham, the property pairs that capability with extraordinary bass fishing and lake vacationing on the Tennessee River,” she said. Downtown Guntersville is ten minutes away, Huntsville is about an hour, Birmingham and Decatur are within two hours, and Atlanta, Nashville, and Montgomery all sit within three. That reach pulls clients from across the Southeast.

The Team Behind the Launch

A property launch of this scale takes a deep bench. Jason Morgan joined from the Lodge at Wakulla to oversee Front Office operations. Brad Rowland is leading housekeeping. Mark Johnson and Brittany Guy are bringing Retail operations to life across the property. Jesse Askew and Mike Lutz are among the many others whose work has carried this opening across the finish line. Their effort over the past months has set the foundation for everything The Lodge will do next.

As Nico put it: “We are extremely humbled and privileged to have the opportunity to serve alongside the State of Alabama at Lake Guntersville. There is tremendous pride in being part of a property with such a strong legacy and such an exciting future ahead. We believe this partnership represents the beginning of something very special.”