A new beach resort from a New Orleans developer is helping to redefine the busy and often strident reputation of Florida beaches along the Gulf Coast.
On Scenic Highway 30A, Kaiya Beach Resort offers 173 residences — including beachfront homes, villas and vacation rentals — as well as a fine art gallery, all spread across 32 acres of land that was once a peach farm. Sitting on 250 feet of private beach is another amenity known as the Beach House, a private members’ club that includes an infinity pool and lounge.
This year, the resort is expanding with Oyom Hotel & Spa, which will feature 40 suites, a 4,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, and a fine-dining restaurant.
The developer behind Kaiya, Jason Romair, is a New Orleans native whose path into real estate began with building and opening a Creole-Italian restaurant in the city. Romair bought the property a decade ago with hopes of creating a refuge from the crowds and noise that dominate many Florida beaches. Construction began about five years ago, and the resort opened in 2024.
“The community had a need for this particular development — something low-density and not crowded,” Romair said. “Something with a wellness component woven throughout it, and something harmonious with stillness, beauty and art that was lacking in the area.”
The resort arrives as tourism along Florida’s Gulf Coast continues to evolve. Long a juggernaut for regional travelers, the area has drawn increasing numbers of visitors from across the country since the Covid-19 pandemic. As crowds grow, some residents and local officials have pushed back against new commercial developments, citing rising traffic disrupting local life. Meanwhile, some parks are under construction to expand beach access while preserving the character of the area.
Kaiya is another sign that the region’s identity may be shifting beyond its crowded beach reputation toward something more curated and culturally driven.
Kaiya Beach Resort, developed by a New Orleans native, is expanding this year. (Photo by Ty Faith)
Provided by Kaiya Beach Resort
Romair’s upbringing in New Orleans’ Garden District — surrounded by ornate metalwork and walkable streets — influenced the spirit of Kaiya, which he describes as “rooted in creativity and art and beauty.”
Its exhibition, Omaire Gallery, showcases contemporary classicism artwork, from paintings to marble sculptures. Terry Slaughter, the resort’s creative director, described Omaire as “a little bit more like a museum,” adding, “it’s large, it’s very minimalist.”
“Our goal was to always create something that is more on an international standard,” Slaughter said, “And it’s not always about selling the art. It’s more about giving people an experience that uplifts them.”
The gallery neighbors the resort’s upcoming restaurant Lamuse D’Or, a collaboration between Kaiya and its partners Boka Restaurant Group and Donnie Madia of One Off Hospitality, both with Michelin credentials.
Romair, who preferred not to label the type of cuisine, said the menu would be inspired by the Gulf with plates that could be found in other culinary powerhouses like New York and Paris. He said the interior will feature white terraza floors, calacatta viola marble and artwork throughout the space.
“It’s going to be approachable, but done in a very sophisticated way,” Romair said.
The same philosophy extends throughout the rest of Kaiya. All of it, Romair said, is intended to slow the pace and offer a sense of stillness for both travelers and residents.
“That’s really what this is about at its core,” Romair said, “A place where people know that when they come here, they will find the peace that they’re seeking.”