Premier’s tourism push backed by $45M Marriot hotel in Wasaga Beach

A $45 million premium Marriott hotel is set to anchor the new beachfront next to Wasaga Beach’s iconic Beach Drive at Beach Area 1.

Sunray Group CEO, Ray Gupta, joined Mayor Brian Smith and members of council to unveil the project Wednesday afternoon.

“Today (Wednesday) Sunray Group has confirmed they will build a Marriott hotel next to our spectacular beachfront, including shops, cafés, restaurants, and more,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “This historic $45 million investment will complement smaller, family-owned inns and cottages, and restaurants in our community. It represents local jobs, higher-value tourism, and multi-day visits to Wasaga Beach which will support our small businesses.”

This announcement came just days after Ontario Premier Doug Ford visited the town to highlight the province’s nearly $38 million commitment to boosting tourism and helping the beach town grow into a year-round destination.

Here’s what Phase 1 entails

Sunray Group says they plan to build a 120-room Marriott hotel in phase one of what will be a four-phase project near the town’s iconic beachfront.

In phase one, Sunray Group will invest over $45 million to build the hotel. They will pay full development charges for all four phases of the project. The company will also invest $1.5 million to design and build a “Festival Square” next to the hotel, near the beachfront.

“Sunray Group of Hotels is proud to be investing in the community of Wasaga Beach — the longest freshwater beach in the world,” said Gupta. “I have a strong connection to this beautiful community and to Beach Area 1. This is where I spent a lot of time as a youth — I have amazing memories of family vacations spent enjoying the beach and the sun and all of the fun activities.”

Construction is expected to kick off in 2026. In phase one, the Marriott hotel will include the following:

• a high-quality restaurant
• convention facilities
• fitness, spa or pool area
• commercial shops
• wedding facilities

According to the Town, construction of a Marriott hotel near the beachfront will support the revitalization of the town’s main commercial area along Beach Drive, which is the economic engine of the community, which is one of Ontario’s fastest growing municipalities. It will strengthen the town’s seasonal tourism economy by enabling high-value, multi-day visits to Wasaga Beach.

The premium hotel is expected to bring tourism and year-round employment, as Wasaga Beach continues to move forward with broader plans to revitalize the Beach Area 1 commercial zone.

Further details on this project are expected to be released in the coming months.

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