Jun. 13--The opening of another hotel in Fort Lauderdale wouldn't seem a particularly noteworthy event in a city teeming with about 315 hotels and motels and some 15,500 rooms. 

But Tuesday's opening of the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Hotel on 17th Street Causeway marked the first luxury hotel to open in the city in more than a decade. The event drew a handful of local politicians and dignitaries. 

"Your success is our success," said Nicki Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, raising a champagne glass of orange juice in a toast to the $37 million hotel. 

Having shed its image as a party destination for rowdy college students on spring break, Fort Lauderdale now is reaping the benefits. 

"We have now earned the right to encourage the development of luxury hotels," Grossman said. "It was very hard to do 10 years ago." 

Added Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle: "This hotel symbolizes a renaissance in more ways than one." 

The 12-story, 233-room Renaissance actually opened on June 1, giving itself a little more than a week to fine-tune operations before Tuesday's "official" opening. The hotel features a 3,800-square-foot ballroom that seats 300, nine meeting and board rooms, a business center and a heated pool overlooking 17th Street. 

Darrel and Oliver's Bistro 17, a steak and seafood restaurant operated by Darrel Broek and Oliver Saucy -- who also run Darrel and Oliver's Cafe Maxx in Pompano Beach, is located within the hotel. 

While quoted room rates range from $129 to $329, the Renaissance anticipates it will generate an average room rate of about $150 a night in its first year. It's shooting for an average occupancy of about 70 percent over the same period, said Christopher Pollock, the hotel's general manager. He oversees a staff of about 150 employees. 

"Our main focus is the independent business traveler and the small, corporate-meeting market," Pollock said. Some of its guests also have attended events at the nearby Broward County Convention Center. 

The hotel is owned by Quayside Place Partners, a partnership that includes development firm Interlink Hospitality of Dania Beach and LNR Property Corp. of Miami. The hotel, a Marriott International brand, is managed by Concord Hospitality Enterprises of Cleveland. 

With the addition of the Renaissance, 17th Street Causeway is quickly becoming hotel row. Other hotels lining the strip include the Fort Lauderdale Marina Marriott, Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn Express and Extended StayAmerica. Still in the planning stages are the long-awaited convention center hotel and a Courtyard by Marriott by the representatives for murdered businessman Gus Boulis. 

Leo C. Gillespie, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Lodging & Hospitality Association, said he isn't worried about development outpacing demand for hotel rooms.

"The demand is growing," he said. "We're one of the few destinations in the country that has rising occupancies." 

"I think the Renaissance will do well," added Guy Trusty, president of Lodging & Hospitality Realty of Miami. 

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