By Mike Donahue
Moapa Valley Progress
The new “Floatels” at Echo Bay were booked solid for Memorial Day last weekend and the concessionaire hopes it’s just the beginning of a great summer holiday season for the new venture.
Floatels are 67 X 14-foot luxury houseboats moored at Lake Mead that offer visitors an opportunity to experience lakeside recreation while enjoying all the comforts of home, according to Matt Harvey, regional vice president for concessionaire Forever Resorts. The spacious houseboats can sleep 10 and are equipped with everything guests might need including air conditioning, a full kitchen that has a stove, two refrigerators, two bathrooms, a TV/DVD player, eating and cooking utensils and bedding.
“All they have to bring is their groceries and beverages and go to town,” Harvey said.
The idea for the Floatels evolved after Forever Resorts closed the hotel that had operated at the Echo Bay Marina for decades.
“We want to be able to provide Echo Bay visitors an ‘overnight opportunity’ and it just seemed like a logical thing to do,” Harvey said. “After we decided to bring the houseboats up from Callville Bay, the National Park Service gave us its blessing and everything fell into place.”
The public apparently likes the idea of being able to spend time floating on Lake Mead without the hassles of taking the boat out and mooring it.
Harvey said the phone began ringing off the hook once the word got out about the new accommodations.
“Reservations really seem to be doing very well,” he said.
One draw for the Floatels is that guests who want to expand their lake experience can rent a ski boat, or a fishing boat, or personal watercraft or almost anything else right on the same dock where their accommodations are moored.
Floatel rentals are $190 a night for up to four people with an additional $20 per person per night charge for additional passengers. Pets cost $10 a night. Children 5 years old and under are free.
Forever Resorts is working toward opening a café on the dock where hot food will be available.
“We plan to have a fairly full menu,” Harvey said.
“Right now we’re using just four boats but we’re poised to expand as the market responds,” Harvey said.
For more information or to make a reservation, those interested can call 702-394-4066.
