Saltwater Resort, a luxury hotel and event center in Surf City on Topsail Island, recently celebrated its grand opening.

The facility, at 412 N. New River Drive, has 48 suites and a saltwater pool. Located within walking distance of the beach and downtown Surf City, Saltwater Resort is pet-friendly with amenities that include outdoor showers, an outdoor guest common area, tent rentals and beach cruisers guests can borrow, according to a recent news release.

Richard Stroupe, the developer of Saltwater Resort and a North Carolina native, stated in the release, "This project is a vote of confidence in Topsail Island's future – and is already delivering a powerful boost to our local economy."

The property's two-story event center has 900 square feet of indoor space and 900 square feet of covered outdoor deck space with a view of the Intracoastal Waterway, according to the release.

Local leaders celebrated the resort's grand opening at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 25.

"Stroupe's vision for Saltwater Resort began in 2017 with the restoration of the historic Loggerhead Inn nearby," the release stated. "That effort's success inspired Stroupe to pursue additional projects to elevate Topsail Island's appeal."