As you bask by the pool, mesmerized by the lapping Atlantic wavy tunes and azure horizons filled with dancing clouds, you are one minute closer to heaven. Lucky Tampa Bay residents can leave their passports home and jet by car to Ft. Lauderdale’s newest beachfront jewel, the 156-room boutique Pelican Grand Beach Resort.
This heavenly oasis serves up serene breathtaking views for sun worshippers, who also enjoy meandering down nearby Las Olas Boulevard to explore trendy shops, art galleries and eclectic nightlife. With a world-class spa (PURE), upscale restaurant with seasonal menus (OCEAN 2000), Atlantic Ballroom and Terrace, this Noble House property is a multi-million dollar re-imagination located on 500 feet of pristine, private beachfront coupling old Florida grandeur with coastal chic.
When you’re not enjoying a banana split at the 1950’s inspired ice cream shop, you can swim laps in the zero-entry oceanfront pool, work out in the oceanfront fitness center, go paddle boarding or float down the lazy river tubing ride.
Rejuvenate Your Senses: Indulge in personalized pampering at the new PURE spa, the only spa in the United States to carry Maria Åkerberg’s organic skin-care products. Based on Scandinavian lifestyle, the 3,000 square foot ocean view spa has three indoor and two outdoor cabana rooms for your massage (hot stone,Swedish, mommy-to-be), facials, reflexology and body treatments. There’s a relaxation room with hanging chairs, manicure/pedicure stations, rooftop yoga and tasty treatments (Maria’s Mystical dark Chocolate Indulgence, Papaya Body Dream) and a Royal Bathing Ritual.
Ocean 2000 Restaurant & 02K Lounge: Executive Chef Michael Bloise’s seasonal farm and sea to fork menu is inspired by worldly flavors and locally sourced dishes and bold ingredients. His Chicken and Dumplings celebrates Florida and Caribbean tastes (housemade chicken sausage, macadamia pesto, Jamaican spinners).
From the charred cauliflower and red/yellow beet salad to the oysters and seared diver scallops, each dish is a work of art. The oxtail terrine, Berkshire pork belly and braised Florida lamb tease meat lovers as do the filet mignon and savory ribeye, served with your choice of seven sauces (salty shallot caramel and lime-salt chile have our vote). The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch (yummy shrimp salad sliders), decadent desserts (chocolate chunk brownie s’more) and extravagant Sunday brunch and features a full bar and excellent boutique wine list.
On Friday, live guitar music in the 02K Lounge beckons as do the weekly specials – happy hour daily 4-6 pm, rum-sipping flights Tuesday and Funky Buddha Beer burger blast Thursday.
Bird’s Eye View: Live the South Beach luxe life! Book the gorgeous new 12th floor Sky Suite pristine penthouse, a private sun-splashed paradise with a 1,100 sq. ft. balcony, rooftop shower, aerie Microsilk Tub with Cromatherapy and Light Therapy, elegant dining room for eight, living room, private elevator, marble steam shower, wet bar, Nespresso delights and tropical, white-washed décor with sea-spired accents.
Culture & Couture Escape: Sweeten your stay with an exclusive package. Drop your bags in your Sky Suite penthouse for two nights and have your personal driver whisk you and your honey to the NSU Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale. Couture enthusiasts get an exclusive tour of “Bellissima: Italy and High Fashion 1945-1968” an iconic tribute to Italian designer fashions and cinema legends (Valentino, Ferragami, Gucci, Federico Fellini and Michelangelo
