Where to Stay in Hollywood, Florida for Eco-Tourism: The Diplomat Beach Resort Debuts Reef Sculpture
June 17th, 2025 – In a defining move for luxury hospitality and marine conservation, The Diplomat Beach Resort, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, has introduced a striking new underwater experience: The Heart of the Ocean reef sculpture. Installed just off the coast of Hollywood Beach as part of Ocean Rescue Alliance International’s (ORAI) Guardians of the Reef initiative, this public-facing marine installation marks a new chapter in sustainable travel along South Florida’s coast.
A Landmark Partnership Beneath the Surface
Unveiled in June 2025, The Heart of the Ocean isn’t just an artistic feat—it’s a carefully engineered habitat and symbolic gesture of environmental responsibility. Crafted from marine-safe concrete and Coral Lok technology, the sculpture was created in partnership with the City of Hollywood and a team of ORAI marine biologists and artists. Designed to encourage coral regeneration, it also serves as a sculptural centerpiece for snorkelers exploring the area’s new reef trail, open to the public this summer.
This initiative is the result of a collaborative reef deployment held May 22–23, 2025, involving the City of Hollywood, Broward County, SeaKeepers International, and Making Waves Productions. The effort includes 50 reef modules in total—12 artistic sculptures and 38 habitat structures—planted in shallow waters (10–15 feet deep) near North Beach Park, Harry Berry Park, and Keating Park. Interactive elements, including QR-coded educational plaques and selfie stations, transform the trail into an underwater museum, making it accessible to both experienced divers and casual snorkelers.
The Diplomat’s Pledge to the Ocean
The Diplomat Beach Resort is the sole hotel partner on the project—a distinction backed by a $30,000 contribution from the Hilton Global Foundation and an additional $4,500 donation directly from the resort. The initiative aligns with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose platform, which is focused on driving responsible travel and tourism through environmental and community-based efforts.
“For today’s traveler, purpose is just as important as pleasure. We’re honored to contribute to this project and help build a destination that benefits both the local community and future generations of visitors.”
Dean Lane, General Manager of The Diplomat
The partnership expands far beyond the reef. The Diplomat is integrating ocean conservation into the guest experience through initiatives like Cocktails for Corals, which donates proceeds from curated drinks to reef restoration efforts, and marine education activities offered through the resort’s Kids Club. Additionally, guests can look forward to future dive excursions and conservation events in coordination with ORAI and the City of Hollywood.
A Living Legacy in the Making
The reef’s aesthetic direction draws on themes of mythology, marine life, and regeneration—transforming environmental advocacy into experiential art. The Heart of the Ocean sculpture in particular stands as a metaphor for love and resilience, while surrounding statues of ocean deities and aquatic creatures reflect the region’s cultural and ecological ties to the sea.
“This sculpture is more than an art installation—it’s a living symbol of what’s possible when science, hospitality, and community come together. By creating a destination that is as meaningful as it is beautiful, we’re inviting the world to not just witness the ocean—but to protect it.”
Dr. Shelby Thomas, Founder and CEO of Ocean Rescue Alliance International