MEDFORD, Ore. — The Coquille Tribe's property on South Pacific Highway in Medford will soon be home to a hotel inspired by Jimmy Buffet's escapist "state of mind."

Last week, Cedars Development announced a partnership with Margaritaville Enterprises to bring a new 111-room Compass hotel to the area, slated to open in early 2022.

Cedars Development is the Coquille-owned management firm for the Cedars at Bear Creek, the Tribe's development project along Pacific Highway in south Medford. That property was also supposed to be the site of a casino, until the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs rebuffed that proposal in May.

Casino or no, the Coquille Tribe says that the Compass by Margaritaville Hotel is coming, "bringing the fun and flavor of their full-scale resorts to a more boutique concept."

“This hotel represents a very important step for the Coquille Tribe’s economic development vision for its Medford properties and for the economic recovery of the South Medford and Phoenix area,” said Coquille Tribal Chair Brenda Meade. “We are fortunate to have a partner like Margaritaville join us in this exciting endeavor.”

There are over already a dozen Margaritaville hotels and resorts, but the Compass Hotels brand launched this year. The Medford location — the first Margaritaville hotel in Oregon — promises "plush and comfortable, island-inspired accommodations and amenities signature to the branded concept in an attentive but laid-back ambiance."

“Our team is thrilled to work with Cedars Development on expanding our West Coast portfolio,” shared Tamara Baldanza-Dekker, Chief Marketing Officer at Margaritaville. “We knew this partnership was the perfect fit when Cedars shared their commitment to making visitors feel at home, through the spirit of potlatch, the ancient practice of greeting, feeding and bestowing gifts on guests in daily life, a practice we share in our passion for hospitality.”

Cedars Development says that the project is being financed by Columbia Bank. Architects are ORW Architecture and Jansen Construction Company, the latter of which will also manage construction.