By Kevin Kaminski
Changes in Attitudes
As one might expect from a hotel that recalls a famous Jimmy Buffett song, the vibe at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort is as laid-back as can be. So it’s no surprise that one of its summer packages, Livin’ for the Weekend, includes two welcome drinks and a $50 credit for use at one of the hotel’s restaurants or watering holes, like the Lone Palm Beach Bar, LandShark Bar & Grill or the upscale JWB Prime Steak and Seafood. 1111 N. Ocean Drive, Hollywood; 954.874.4444; margaritavillehollywoodbeachresort.com
Hail to the Chief
Leave it to The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale to offer a package so exclusive that it feels like it should come with Secret Service detail. Guests who have the means to book the Presidential Appeal special (rates start at $15,000 for a three-night stay) will receive a private tour of the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum, two rounds of golf at Jacaranda Country Club, a three-hour yacht tour, daily bottles of Schramsberg Champagne (the official bubbly of the White House), an in-room couples massage and much more, including accommodations inside the resort’s presidential suite. 1 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.465.2300;
ritzcarlton.com/fortlauderdale
At Your Leisure
The already enticing Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort becomes even more attractive for those seeking a weekend getaway thanks to the Leisure Escapes package, which gives guests $50 in daily credit for use at the hotel’s spa or one of its standout restaurants (except S3). Above and beyond the special, the Hilton provides two welcome drinks, two Venti Starbucks coffees daily, beach chairs, spa discounts and other benefits. Summer rooms can be snagged for less than $300 per night. 505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.414.2222; hilton.com
Take a Stand
In addition to the Florida residents promotion that nearly all high-end area hotels feature, Pelican Grand Beach Resort honors our state’s love of the aquatic lifestyle with its Paddle Away package. Guests booking a minimum two-night stay at the luxury oceanfront resort receive transportation to a nearby stand-up paddle surf school—and one-hour stand-up paddleboard lessons for two. For good measure, the special includes breakfast for each day of your stay. 2000 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.556.7514; pelicanbeach.com
Pamper Plus
The Spa at The Breakers Palm Beach may not have upstaged Sofia Vergara’s wedding to Joe Manganiello, but the reimagined space certainly turned its share of heads when it debuted last November in time for the “Modern Family” star’s nuptials. The
$8 million renovation by internationally renowned designer Sylvia Sepielli infuses the spa with a chic, clean-lined vibe (think: 11 shades of white) that brings a contemporary edge to the resort’s Italian Renaissance aesthetic. Amenities include a heated sand-quartz bed for massages; a spa suite with steam shower and chromotherapy tub; and a private coed courtyard. 1 S. County Road, Palm Beach; 561.655.6611; thebreakers.com
Day Tripper
For those with dance cards too full to sneak away for an entire weekend, Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach would like to interest you in a few well-deserved hours of bliss. The famed property’s Day Spa Beach Retreat package, only $195 per person (sans tips, taxes and alcohol), includes a choice of four nearly hourlong treatments (massage, facial, body scrub or Key West Recovery Wrap), a $35 credit toward lunch at Graze or the Atlantic Bar and Grill, access to the fitness center and spa, participation in any fitness class that day and VIP beach service. 2800 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach; 561.582.2800; fourseasons.com/palmbeach
This Club Has Privileges
You don’t need a captain’s license to revel in the treasures being offered through Boca Raton Resort & Club’s Yacht Club Executive Experience. Guests staying in this exclusive waterfront portion of the 356-acre property receive luxury accommodations (complete with a Champagne toast upon arrival); a chauffeured shopping excursion to Boca’s A-list boutiques (think: Gucci, Bulgari, etc.); priority dining at the resort’s restaurants, lounges and spa; and access to the Commodore Lounge, which offers four food and beverage experiences daily. Summer rates start at $549. 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton; 561.447.3000; bocaresort.com
Life is a Breeze
As one of only 21 hotels in the U.S. to boast a Forbes five-star rating for both its hotel and spa, Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa has plenty to be proud of these days—not the least of which is Josh Thomsen, the Bon Jovi-loving executive chef who has revamped the menu at Angle (the resort’s contemporary American restaurant) and introduced flavorful Florida-inspired fare at Breeze Ocean Kitchen, the casual, oceanfront spot that offers everything from fresh ceviche and Cubano tacos to frozen Key lime pops. 100 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan; 561.533.6000; eaupalmbeach.com
Take a Bite
The ongoing evolution of Eden Roc Miami Beach into a Nobu-inspired experience ultimately will transform everything from the hotel and pool to the spa. In the meantime, those looking for a taste of what that experience represents can feast on one of the famed restaurant’s latest offerings—Sunday brunch (starting at $95 for adults), and the Nobu Now prix-fixe ($28) and signature ($35) lunch menus offered Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 4525 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305.531.0000; edenrocmiami.com
Special Edition
Hotelier Ian Schrager’s ode to chic sophistication, The Miami Beach Edition is keeping it Very VIP this summer with an ongoing special that includes a 60-minute Edition house massage. Guests interested in bumping the experience up a notch can upgrade with enhancements ranging from oxygen inhalation to full-body exfoliation to Biotic Wave targeted pain therapy. 2901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 786.257.4500; editionhotels.com/miami-beach
Tame the Monster
During one wind-swept round at the 2014 WGC-Cadillac Championship, the water hazards on the Blue Monster course at Trump National Doral Miami claimed 113 golf balls. But don’t let that deter you from teeing off as part of the resort’s Unlimited Championship Golf package, which runs through September. Along with deluxe accommodations, guests receive a daily breakfast buffet and one round of golf per night on the Red Tiger, Golden Palm or Silver Fox course (or, inquire about an upgrade to play the Blue Monster). 4400 NW 87th Ave., Doral; 305.592.2000; trumphotelcollection.com/miami
Girls Getaway
If the renowned rooftop FIFTY Ultra Lounge and the longest infinity pool in Florida—one perched 15 stories above Biscayne Bay—aren’t enough of a draw, then let Viceroy Miami kick off a long weekend of fun and pampering with its Beauty and the Besties spa happy hour on the last Thursday of every month. The $60 event includes facials, mini massages, skin consultations, hand/foot rubs, complimentary wine, light bites and much more. Reservations are required. 485 Brickell Ave., Miami; 305.503.4400; viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/miami
One for the Road
It’s been a half-century since the Rat Pack partied here, but Fontainebleau Miami Beach still knows how to raise a glass or two. This summer, the legendary resort has a full menu of weekly wine- and spirit-related events hosted by its stellar on-site restaurants: Champagne and sparkling wine tastings at La Côte on Mondays; an Italian wine seminar on Tuesdays at Scarpetta; craft cocktails with Michael Mina 74’s mixology experts on Wednesdays; and two Thursday affairs, including a painting lesson (with rosé wine) at La Côte and a cigar and whiskey pairing at StripSteak. If that isn’t reason enough to pack your bags, then ask about the Bleau Summer special, which features a room upgrade and a $50 poolside credit. 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305.535.3283; fontainebleau.com
Lucky Seven
Not that there’s anything wrong with the rest of its 70 stories, but something about the seventh floor at Four Seasons Hotel Miami in Brickell is downright irresistible. Maybe it’s the 2-acre pool terrace. Maybe it’s the revamped poolside restaurant, Bahía, with its gourmet Florida fare. Or maybe it’s the four private cabana packages, ranging from $150 to $300 for two guests, which raise the VIP bar with offerings from fresh fruit platters, Champagne and oysters to an “Ultimate Treat” that includes seafood on ice, homemade chocolate truffles and special bottle service with Grey Goose vodka. 1435 Brickell Ave., Miami; 305.358.3535; fourseasons.com/miami
VIP Treatment
Resorts throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale are encouraging travelers to Vacation Like a VIP this summer thanks to a package available through Sept. 30. The 11 participating resorts are offering the following as part of the special: room upgrades, complimentary valet, a $25 American Express gift card, $100 resort credit and a summer savings two-for-one card valued at $200. Hotels include W Fort Lauderdale, The Westin Fort Lauderdale, Pelican Grand Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale and Diplomat Resort & Spa. For a complete list, visit sunny.org/vip.
Something for Everyone
Sunset Key Cottages Resort in Key West recently became part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection, but the sweetest additions to this idyllic property have nothing to do with white-glove service. Each afternoon at 3, Carnegie Lee tours the resort on his three-wheeled Conch Cruiser and peddles a variety of free ice-cold treats—from gourmet gelato to fruit-flavored sorbet. Then, at 4:30, mom and dad can head to Latitudes’ outdoor bar and enjoy, at no charge, the resort’s rum cocktail of the day. Cheers! 245 Front St., Key West; 305.292.5300; sunsetkeycottages.com
Coming Soon
Slated to open later this summer, Playa Largo Resort & Spa promises to give locals a new excuse to escape to the Keys. The property, which covers 14.5 acres along Florida Bay, includes 144 rooms and suites, 10 private bungalows, a white-sand beach, a full-service spa and salon, a steakhouse and waterfront restaurant, a full menu of watersports and much more. 97450 Overseas Highway, Key Largo; 305.853.1001; playalargoresort.com
