Why New Englanders Shouldn’t Get Their Hopes Up About Rumored Margaritaville Resort

Jimmy Buffett

He was a popular singer than not only blew up massively because of easily his most famous song ever, but he also took that song and created a multi-layered franchise with it.

The world had one less party to attend when the legendary Jimmy Buffett passed away at the age of 76 on September 1, 2023 -- surrounded by his family, friends, music, and dogs, according to his official website -- and left behind him a legacy.

Anytime Jimmy came to New England to perform his always-sold out shows at the Xfinity Center/Tweeter Center/Great Woods down in Mansfield, Massachusetts, it was a summer event. Tailgating for his concert was always unlike any tailgating party ever seen before, and the concert was essentially one massive tailgate party itself.

Margaritaville Boston

Which is why New England was beyond excited when news dropped that the very first Margaritaville Restaurant would come to New England and was scheduled for a Spring 2022 opening.

That opening quickly got delayed and the target date changed to Summer 2022, then Fall 2022. And then the trend continued, as the opening was delayed to Spring 2023 and Summer 2023, until it finally opened at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston, Massachusetts, in October 2023.

And it's for that very reason that New Englanders shouldn't get their hopes up with the new Margaritaville news that has broken in the region.

Margaritaville Resort New England

According to CBS News, the first-ever Margaritaville Resort in New England is scheduled to open this summer, taking over the spot currently occupied by the Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Hyannis, Massachusetts, which will be rebranded and, according to the current owners:

...will seamlessly blend Margaritaville's casual luxury with the natural aesthetic of Hyannis & the beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

CBS News reports the plan is for Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod to feature 272 rooms, an indoor water park, outdoor pool and spa, and of course the chain of iconic Margaritaville-themed restaurants the Landshark Bar & Grill and the 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar.

But considering it took almost a full two years after the first promised opening date for Margaritaville Boston to open, can New Englanders really expect that Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod will be open and fully functioning in a few months time when Summer 2024 arrives?

One could argue that the foundation for the incoming resort is already in place, since it will just be a rebranding of an already-existing resort and spa business, but don't forget that the same can be said for Margaritaville Boston, which took over the former location of the restaurant McCormick & Schmick's seafood and steak restaurant.

And that was just the rebranding of one restaurant. But the rebranding of a full resort that includes two restaurants?

Don't hold your breath for a Summer 2024 opening of Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod, New Englanders. But, also, here's hoping we're proven very wrong and in a few months time, we can live our best Parrothead live down on the Cape.