Mansion Monday: Luxurious Custom-Built Residence On 13 Acres
$6,250,000 This luxurious custom-built residence stands on nearly 13 acres of private fenced property surrounded by the largest natural preserve in Pinellas County, spanning over 8,700 acres of protected land, creating ultimate privacy. Truly one of a kind! You will have plenty of privacy and room to play on the 13 acres. Welcomed through the grand entryway, you will notice soaring ceilings, a wide open layout, the impressive wood-burning fireplace, exposed wood beams, and wall-to-wall windows and doors flooding the interior with natural light. You will have breathtaking views of the pond and endless lush greenery. The home is flooded with natural light by the ceiling-to-floor windows spanning the back of the home. The well-designed kitchen is a chef’s dream, equipped with recessed cabinets and appliances, Wolf 6 burner/griddle combo, pot filler, built-in Miele refrigerator and freezer with tailored cabinetry coverings, two dishwashers, warming drawer, speed-oven/microwave, ice maker, beverage cooler, an instant hot faucet, dual sinks, walk-in pantry, and an oversized island open to the living room and dining space. A Chef’s kitchen with Wolf and Miele appliances. The divine master suite presents marble flooring, a tray ceiling, and stunning views through the large windows and french doors to the backyard. Enter the opulent en suite with a soaking tub, a large glass rainfall shower, dual vanities, dual sinks, and walk-in closets. The master suite is the perfect retreat with a soaking tub and breathtaking views. The large bonus living space includes wall-to-wall glass doors, perfect for an office, second living room, den, or library. A powder room for convenience is located off the entry hall, which follows toward the nice-sized laundry room and 3-car garage entrance. A bonus room is perfect for a home office or media area. Two additional bedrooms and a bathroom are opposite the master suite for family or guests. The upstairs leads to an expanded loft, additional bedroom, full bathroom, and bonus space. Additional suites and a loft area are perfect for guests to enjoy. The outdoor patio includes an outdoor fireplace and kitchenette with the most serene views. This home was carefully crafted with five-star energy rating/efficiency, impact windows, and no carpet (oversized ceramic, marble, and wood) throughout the home. Entertain outside any time of the year on the covered patio with a fireplace. There is a seven-stall stable on the property, including a hay room, shavings room, and tack room. A storage shed is located out back for additional necessities. The circular driveway provides ample parking and leads to a three-car garage. The home has a three-car garage and seven-stall stable for all your horsepower. Easy access to dining, shopping, entertainment, and more. Only 15 minutes to beautiful Florida beaches, historic downtown Tarpon Springs, the famous Tarpon Springs sponge docks, and 30 minutes to Tampa International Airport. Presented by: Christina Palillo Brokered by: Charles Ruttenberg Realty 1251 Ranch Rd.Tarpon Springs, FL 34688
Mansion Monday: Stunning Modern French Chateau Located in Miami Florida
$19,700,000 A new owner can acquire the Chateau Artisan, designed and built by renowned Architect Charles Sieger. The chateau’s foundation was carved into the coral rock that defines the South Florida water lifestyle. The chateau is uniquely built on a coral rock, allowing fresh water to surround the property. The 20,000 SQ FT home stands on 13.74 acres in the quiet Redlands, where you can see the stars in all their splendor in total privacy, security, magic, and romance. Built to resemble a modern French Chateau, the home sits on a freshwater lake amid manicured gardens, an intricate maze, and adorning features. Your family will have plenty of outdoor entertainment space on 13.74 acres. Boasting three levels, the double stair foyer and main room open to lovingly decorated living areas from the chef’s kitchen, a music room, fireplaces where guests can gather, and two super yacht-like bedrooms for children. This unique home is for the owner, who sees it as an irreplaceable masterpiece. The chef’s and eat-in kitchen is perfect for preparing family dinners. The music room has beautiful views of the outdoor balcony and freshwater lake. Entertain or enjoy a quiet evening in the great room showcasing a fireplace and the foyer. Presented by:Carlos Justo Brokered by:EXP Realty, LLC 25791 SW 167th Ave.Miami, FL 33031
Mansion Monday: Magnificent Seaside Sanctuary
$12,999,000 A spectacular waterfront mansion with six bedrooms and eight-plus bathrooms totals 13,711 SQFT on over ½ acre lot. Enter the home through a magnificent entryway with a grand staircase and a beautiful chandelier. Don’t forget the elevator to the second floor. No details were spared when designing this home. The grand entryway welcomes you with beautiful details and an elevator to the second floor. The main open-concept floor plan features a luxury chef’s kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a large island to enjoy family meals. The kitchen flows seamlessly to the family room with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico. You will find a formal living room and fireplace on the first floor. The chef’s kitchen has plenty of counter space for prepping and storing all your cooking items. A large formal sitting room with a fireplace overlooks the Gulf of Mexico. The home offers two primary master retreats. One of the masters opens to the pool lanai and offers a spa-like bath with floor-to-ceiling marble. The bath also features a soaking tub and a luxurious walk-in rain shower—a perfect retreat from a long day on the water. A large primary master suite and spa-inspired bath are the perfect retreats. The gorgeous pool area with sweeping, expansive open views of the Gulf of Mexico highlights the desirable outdoor space. The pool area is complete with a pool bath. This home is the perfect island retreat to get away from it all. The pool, two covered seating areas, and boat dock makes this home perfect for entertaining. Presented by:Donna Miller Brokered by:Coldwell Banker Realty
Mansion Monday: Old Florida Charm Meets Modern Luxury Living On Florida’s West Coast.
$6,998,000 This private, Key West-inspired waterfront estate is ideally situated in the exclusive enclave on the East Shore of Tierra Verde, sitting on nearly one acre of land with 159 FT of water frontage with sweeping open water views! The perfect oasis to entertain by the pool or on the water. If privacy and tranquility without living in a remote location are what you desire, look no further than this stunning and completely remodeled masterpiece with over 9,327 SQ FT under one roof! This expansive residence offers the ideal layout for today’s needs, including multi-generational living, work-from-home, and outdoor living at its best, with modern coastal finishes and color pallets. No need to worry about high energy costs as this home comes with solar panels. You can work from home or work out in your home office. The impressive yet inviting entry with cathedral ceilings and a gorgeous staircase leads to the expansive main living level offering a magnificent light and bright kitchen, which is the centerpiece to the open floorplan, ideal for entertaining. The kitchen boasts solid white wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, gorgeous granite countertops, two breakfast bars, an island, and much more! Natural light brightens and warms each room. Modern finishes throughout this coastal masterpiece include tongue and groove cedar ceilings and walls painted white, wide plank porcelain wood-like tiles, crown moldings, updated hurricane windows, and doors. All bathrooms have white cabinetry, porcelain vessel sinks, granite countertops, and subway tile walled showers. The spa-inspired bathrooms have granite countertops and deep porcelain sinks. The main level features a formal dining room, a bedroom, a full bath, a built-in nautical bar perfect for entertaining guests, and a cozy wood-burning fireplace surrounded by coral stone. The walls of pocket sliding doors lead to the almost 1,200 SQ FT soaring two-story screen-enclosed lanai overlooking the backyard oasis with a pool, waterfall, and spa. Inside and outside, this home was built to entertain, from a formal dining room to an outdoor pool. The upper level consists of the enormous primary suite with a separate workout area perfect for your morning workout, gorgeous tongue, and groove white volume ceilings, two large walk-in closets with custom closet systems, a waterfront deck, and a remodeled primary bath with a free-standing tub, dual vanities, and separate shower. Also on this second level are three more bedrooms, two with en-suite access to the Jack and Jill bath featuring dual vanities and tub shower, and a fourth waterfront bedroom with an en-suite bath and waterfront balcony as well a laundry centered to the bedrooms. The second-level bedrooms have waterfront balcony views. The top floor boasts a beautiful crow’s nest room with panoramic 360 views of Tierra Verde, perfect for an office or guest location. There is plenty of room for your toys in the oversized five-car garage, equipped with a charging station for your electric vehicle, hurricane-rated garage doors, and an additional 12X32 workshop. There is even a perfect outdoor location to park your RV. The crow’s nest room is perfect for a bedroom or work-from-home office. When it’s time to go boating, drop your boat off the newer 20,000lb boat lift, cruise the waters of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, or jump in your pool and spa with a rock waterfall! This estate combines a Key West feel with its mature, old Florida landscaping, complete privacy, and a massive backyard retreat you won’t find anywhere else. Tierra Verde is just minutes from Downtown St. Pete and 30 minutes from Tampa International Airport. The new 20,000lb boat lift is ready for your boat. Presented by:Tammy Campbell McNelis Brokered by:Compass Florida, LLC
Mansion Monday: Stunning Waterfront British West Indies Style Home
$5,950,000 This stunning home is in the heart of the Westshore District/South Tampa area, located on 1/4 acre in protected Pirate’s Cove. Designed by Cooper, Johnson, & Smith with interiors by Rob Bowen and built by Loupin Construction. This home has the highest quality, from the metal roof to the two-story concrete block construction. The home has beautiful British West Indies architectural details. Take the elevator upstairs, where the open floor plan showcases the waterfront views. The large living area has French doors leading to a covered patio overlooking the pool. The dining area and kitchen flow together with a large walk-in pantry, dual dishwashers, SubZero, and Wolf appliances. The kitchen design is complete with concrete countertops and vaulted ceilings. The kitchen, dining room, and family area flow perfectly through the second-floor space. The oversized ensuite with a sitting area provides breathtaking water views, dual closets, and a spacious spa-like bath. The bath includes double vanities, a private lavatory, and a large walk-through shower with natural stone seamless tile. The oversized primary suite features water views and a large bath with spa details. The first floor offers French doors from the living area to a large covered porch with an outdoor kitchen overlooking the heated pool and cove. You will find two-bedroom suites, a utility/laundry room with a sink, and built-in storage on this floor. This home has the space for entertaining outside, completing daily tasks, and additional suites for guests. The first floor also has a separate casual entertaining area with a kitchen, dishwasher, ice maker, dual SubZero beverage coolers, bar dining, and onyx countertops, with a media area perfect for entertaining. A large first-floor entertaining area with a bar and pool table This home has endless details with a BitWise Home Entertainment control system to almost every room, hurricane-rated windows, natural gas heated pool, a brand new composite deck/dock, natural gas tank-less water heater, LED color changing lighting, a salt-system pool chlorinator, and chaise lounge chairs overlooking the deep-water of Pirate’s Cove bay. You will have quick access to the bay, and the dock is ready for a boat lift. This home exudes quality and impeccable craftsmanship. Entertain or quietly relax by your saltwater pool overlooking Pirate’s Cover bay. Presented by:Michael Mundy Brokered by:Torque Real Estate
Travel: Road Trip to the World's Largest Log Cabin
The 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster has lost two cylinders, gained a turbocharger and been given a new name. We set off from downtown Toronto, the largest city in Canada and the 4th largest city in North America, behind Mexico City, New York and Los Angeles, to the beauty and tranquility of the world’s largest log cabin in Montebello, Quebec, just over 300 miles northeast of Toronto. CN Tower & Rogers Centre We started our drive at the base of the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre, two iconic Toronto landmarks. The CN Tower is a 1,815 foot communications and observation tower, which, for 34 years since its completion in 1976, was the tallest free-standing structure in the world (it is now the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere, and 3rd tallest in the world). Next to the Tower is the Rogers Centre, formerly known as SkyDome, a 50,000 seat stadium and home of Major League Baseball World Champions, the Toronto Blue Jays. When it opened in 1989, it was the first stadium in the world to have a fully retractable roof and an attached 348-room hotel with 70 rooms overlooking the field. 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster We set out in the 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster to see if life with a 4-cylinder turbo, which replaces the naturally aspirated 6-cylinder engine, has helped or hindered the driving experience of this entry level open-air Porsche. It turns out that the new name of this car is a very old one. Between 1957 and 1962, Porsche raced the 4-cylinder 718 with great success, including class wins at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1958 and 1961. Because all Boxster’s are mid-engine two-seaters, there are two trunks, one up front and one in the rear. There was plenty of room for our bags and equipment but one does need to pack efficiently. The 718 Boxster is the second least expensive 2-door Porsche behind the 718 Cayman, which starts at $53,900. The base 718 Boxster starts at $56,000. Major options on our car included the 7-speed dual-clutch Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK – $3,200) which features both automatic and manual shifting modes. The PDK delivers extremely quick gear changes with virtually no power interruption to the rear wheels. It is not without its balkiness around town at slow speeds but once out on the open roads, it works extremely efficiently. Our car was also equipped with 19” S rims ($1,970), Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM – $1,790), Navigation ($1,730), Bose Surround Sound System ($990), Connect Plus ($1,300), 14-way power sport seats ($2,320) and Premium Package ($1,370). Total MSRP climbed to $72,375 including the $1,050 destination charge. One very entertaining aspect of the combination of stop/start and the PDK, is that the engine shuts off while you are still moving. As you approach a stop, the engine shuts down and you roll to a stop in complete silence. I really enjoyed playing with that to see how far I could roll without any power. My take on this is that Porsche makes performance cars intended for performance/enthusiast drivers, who aren’t going to be concerned at all that they are rolling along in silence, which is especially noticeable in a convertible with the top down. Out on the highway from Toronto to our destination which was about 300 miles/five plus hours away, the 718 Boxster delivered mile after mile of driving enjoyment. On the major highways we kept the well-insulated and lined soft-top up, windows closed and air conditioning on (usually sacrilege in my books but I had a passenger whose rights to a civilized environment I had to respect). It was for that reason that we got off of highway 401 at Belleville and headed north on slower, quieter, winding roads. We dropped the top and windows, turned off the A/C and enjoyed the drive. Pushing the Sport button transforms the exhaust note from refined to ruckus, and definitely adds to the driving experience, especially when the top is down at sub-highway speeds (it didn’t seem necessary to have the added noise while cruising on the highway). When you put the gear shifter in drive, and push it to the left into manual mode, you can play with the paddle shifters, or the +/- with the gear shifter, and generate all of the enthusiast sounds you like. On the gas, off the gas, up and down through the gears, you can make this little 2.0 litre horizontally opposed 4-cylinder 300 hp engine entertain, both audibly as well as delivering plenty of performance to the pavement. Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello After an unexpected but fun ferry ride along the way, which took us from the province of Ontario to Quebec, we arrived at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello, the world’s largest log cabin located in the small village of Montebello, Quebec on the picturesque Ottawa River. The hotel was built in 1930 as a private club and constructed in just four months by 3,500 workers using 10,000 hand cut red cedar logs. For 40 years it was the private retreat of the Seigniory Club, whose elite membership included Canadian businessmen and politicians and foreign dignitaries including Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco. It was taken over by Canadian Pacific Hotels in 1970. The hotel was the site of the 1981 G7 summit attended by Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Pierre Trudeau and François Mitterrand, many of whom have hotel rooms named in their honour. In 2007 the North American Leaders Summit was held there with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, US President George W. Bush and Mexican President Felipe Calderon. Fairmont Le Château Montebello has 211 guestrooms, offers impeccable service, fine dining and wide range of indoor and outdoor activities including horseback riding, a Stanley Thompson designed 18-hole golf course, indoor and outdoor tennis, indoor and outdoor swimming and boating. In the winter, cross-country skiing, skating, curling, dog sledding, tubing and snowmobiling are available. Rather uniquely, guests can arrive at the hotel by car, boat,
Travel: The Ultimate Retreat at the Cloister Ocean Residences
The oceanfront Cloister Ocean Residences are located at Sea Island, a coastal Georgia resort island with five miles of private, pristine beach on the Atlantic Ocean. This private oceanfront community on a gated island offers residents a deeded quarter ownership and the pampered Sea Island lifestyle one week every month in their own luxuriously furnished one, two, or three bedroom residence. The 22 fully furnished and equipped residences range from 1,104 to 3,102 square feet. There are 88 total ownerships and many have been sold, leaving only a limited number that range in cost from $375,000 to $1.1 million. Each of the residences were refurbished this past Spring along with most of the public spaces. The new interiors are designed to lighten and brighten in a seaside motif while retaining the elegance of the signature Addison Mizner Mediterranean design seen throughout the island. In addition, a new oceanfront infinity-edge pool pavilion was unveiled this year. Randy Burgess, Project Director for The Cloister Ocean Residences, said current owners and potential buyers have been impressed with the enhancements. “Demand for The Cloister Ocean Residences has increased this year and we attribute much of that to the upgrades made at both The Cloister Ocean Residences and at The Cloister.” In response to strong demand, the hotel, located adjacent to the Residences on Sea Island, added 63 new rooms, a 5,000-square-foot ballroom and an additional pool. Owners are eligible to apply for full membership in the Sea Island Club and initial membership fees are waived for purchasers (currently valued at $100,000). Members enjoy privileged access and discounts on a host of services and activities. Deeded quarter-ownership, providing 13 weeks annual access one week each month, each year, with longer arranged stays possible, enabling owners to enjoy Sea Island throughout the year. Over a 4-year period, owners have the opportunity to use every week of the year. Ownerships can be sold, transferred or left as a legacy for generations to come. Owners not only enjoy frequent vacations to Sea Island, but also enjoy traveling to a variety of other worldwide destinations. Cloister Ocean Residences owners enjoy a Chairman’s Club membership in 3RD HOME, a reciprocal use travel club of luxury second home owners and resorts, with over 4,500 properties in 70+ countries. For more information, visit: www.3RDHOME.com. Sea Island is the only resort in the world to have been awarded four Forbes Five-Star designations for eight consecutive years. Sea Island’s Forbes Five-Star properties include The Cloister hotel; The Lodge; the Georgian Room restaurant in The Cloister and The Spa at Sea Island. Sea Island was also just awarded once again AAA’s Five Diamond award for The Cloister, The Georgian Room restaurant and The Lodge. This makes the Georgian Room the only Five Diamond restaurant in the state of Georgia. U.S. News & World Report named The Lodge as #1 among the Ten Best Hotels in the United States for 2016. The Cloister Ocean Residences is one of many real estate opportunities at Sea Island, where sales continue to be strong and increasing in recent years. So far in 2016, more than $90 million of sales have been made. For more information about The Cloister Ocean Residences, call 912-634-4351 or visit cloisteroceanresidences.com.
Quick Getaway: Tradewinds Resorts, Where a Visit Created Tradition
How nice to live in an area where we have a plethora of vacation options, and one that stands out as a true, local, favorite vacation spot is less than an hour for most Tampa Bay residents. There is no need to waste your time on a long flight or road trip, take the extra time and invest it in what counts, quality family time relaxing, exploring and experiencing the iconic TradeWinds Island Resorts. The resort is made up of two beach resorts located directly on the sun-drenched, white sand beaches bordering the Gulf of Mexico. The Guy Harvey Outpost and TradeWinds Beach Resort are spread over a 25-acre oasis that will be your home away from home, even if just for a while. From the moment you arrive, you will find a true sense of nostalgia in the air, and a staff that employs a consistent, tireless effort to ensure that your stay will be everything you imagined. When it comes to dining choices, you can enjoy a different venue each day and night. For beach and poolside dining, there is the Flying Bridge Beach Bar, you have a choice of inside or outside dining, and if you need to kick your feet up for awhile, there are a few tempting hammocks a few steps away. For a truly memorable dining experience, the RumFish Grill will have you in “awe” from the moment you walk inside. The 1300 gallon saltwater tank is filled with a massive collection of colorful reef fish and was built by Wayde King and Brett Raymer, stars of Animal Planet’s show, “Tanked.” When night falls and its time to wind down, there is no other place to be than the Guy Harvey Outpost as a family, surrounding a nice fire, and indulging in s’mores, the perfect ending to the perfect day. And tomorrow the adventure continues because fun is always a step away from anywhere you happen to be at TradeWinds Resort. So when you have an opportunity to experience the TradeWind Island Resort, your family’s memories will be an echo of summer fun and the desire to make it a family tradition that is carried on for years and maybe, just maybe, generations.
Quick Get Away: New Luxury Beachfront Resort Adds Glamour to Treasure Island
EACH OF THE 77 ROOMS IS A SPACIOUS ONE-OR-TWO BEDROOM SUITE WITH AN AMAZING BEACHFRONT VIEW OF THE GULF OF MEXICO Beach Resort is a beautiful transformation of the property. With its turquoise blue and white color scheme and sleek, contemporary décor, the new resort is stunning with a decidedly South Beach-esque feel. Each of the 77 rooms is a spacious one-or-two bedroom suite with an amazing beachfront view of the Gulf of Mexico. Uncork a bottle of wine and watch a breath-taking sunset from the privacy of your own enormous balcony. Or, order a tropical drink from the bar and stretch out by the pool or the fire pit. It’s easy to forget that you’re just a couple minutes from home. The first floor of the resort is a covered parking garage for guests, a nice convenience that most area resorts don’t offer. The pool and sundeck are on the second floor overlooking the wide, white sandy beach. Clearwater Beach may get more national acclaim, but the Treasure Island Beach is just as spectacular and less crowded. The city unveiled a $1.2 million paved beach trail a few years ago and it is a pleasure to stroll along the wide curving sidewalk, especially in early morning hours and at dusk. It’s also fun to look across the vast expanse of sand and see specially marked grassy areas that have been set aside for nesting birds. Each suite in the Treasure Island Resort is beautifully appointed and designed to feel like a high-end condo with a wealth of amenities. Everything is done with good taste. Grey wood floors throughout the suite are very attractive. Spacious bedrooms have sliding glass doors to the patio, while large bathrooms have the latest rain head showerheads. The fully stocked kitchen offers beautiful granite countertops and top-of-the-line stainless appliances. There’s even a wine rack inside the fridge. THE CUSTOM, GOURMET BURGERS ARE DELICIOUS AND DECADENT, QUITE A TAKEOFF ON THE STANDARD, COMFORT BEACH FARE. Gourmet Burgers & Craft Cocktails Executive Chef Michael Von Blomberg has created a terrific menu for BRGR Kitchen & Bar, the resort’s casual, hip restaurant. You can sit at the bar, in the restaurant, or outside in the covered patio area. Bring a big appetite. There’s a reason the restaurant was named BRGR. The custom, gourmet burgers are delicious and decadent, quite a takeoff on the standard, comfort beach fare. A selection of 11 artisanal burgers, plus a build-your-own option. Try the Bison Gone Wild with bacon jam, caramelized onions and smoked cheddar or the Nooner, a diet-busting signature beef burger with smoked bacon, aged cheddar, fried egg, grilled Portobello mushrooms, greens and roasted shallot-truffle aioli, all topped with crispy fried onions – an addition that Chef Von Blomberg says make the dish “simply pop.” If you prefer a few more veggies with your meal, choose the burger bowl with fresh lettuces and many extras. The chef also likes to point out the vertical hydroponic herb garden wall by the bar – the sources of many of the herbs used in the restaurant’s recipes and handcrafted cocktails. The Treasure Island Beach Resort is the perfect getaway for any occasion – to rekindle the romance, have fun with the girlfriends, take a stress-break from the office or even bring the family for a several day Florida beach “staycation.”
Quick Getaway: Pelican Ground Beach Resort, Fr. Lauderdale
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
Travel: Reconnect at Mountain Trek
THE HIKING, AND THE ENTIRE MOUNTAIN TREK PROGRAM, IS ANYTHING BUT A CASUAL WALK IN THE PARK. Walking through the secluded forest, the only sounds heard are birds chirping overhead, and the thudding of hiking boots and poles as they make contact with the ground below. All around, trees soar up to the sky, delicate flowers bloom in the most unlikely places and creeks rush down the mountainside. Looking up to the treetops, blue sky peeks above and the sun’s dappled light streams through the branches. That is but just one scenario when hiking with Mountain Trek in British Columbia, Canada. And though it sounds serene, the hiking, and the entire Mountain Trek program, is anything but a casual walk in the park. The one and two-week all-inclusive hiking retreat programs — the only mountain-based hiking, fitness and weight loss program in all of North America — are intense yet intimate, limited to 16 guests per week, with a 4:1 staff-to-guest ratio. Days at Mountain Trek begin with a soft knock on your bedroom door and a cheery “good morning” at 6 a.m. —there aren’t any TVs or radios in the lodge’s bedrooms or common areas, and just a few strategically-placed clocks and the program flows effortlessly through the day. After the wakeup knock, mornings typically include a restorative yoga class, followed by breakfast and a talk with one of the experienced staff members who share their expertise in the five steps of the program, the Mountain Trek Way: nutrition, fitness, detoxification, sleep health and stress management. Afterwards, it’s to the mountain trails for three to four hours of hiking, enjoying lunch mid-way with a fabulous view, whether on a lakeside beach, perched a top a mountaintop, or any place that looks inviting. Back at the lodge in the afternoons, another talk may be presented, or perhaps time for a quick soak in the hot tub before dinner, which is then followed by a workout class. When 7 o’clock rolls around, everyone’s favorite part of the program begins: massages. Each guest enjoys three hour-long massages included with their stay, and there’s always the option to add-on more, or even reflexology, acupuncture, or cranial sacral therapy sessions, to name a few more. The incredibly attentive Mountain Trek staff makes sure everything is done for you once you arrive so that all you have to do is focus on you, which is somewhat easy since all aspects of the program are individualized for each guest. From preparing delicious, clean meals and snacks that cater to every eating regimen, to customizing fitness routines and hiking groups to be sure you get the best workout for you, to preparing your room for your return, to doing your laundry. Yes, laundry the staff is constantly washing and folding to make sure you have what you need to make the most of your stay. But it’s more than your stay – the Mountain Trek team ensures you have the tools to take home so that you can continue to take advantage of all that you’ve learned during your program and continue your journey. In fact, an app for Mountain Trek alumnae is soon launching as another tool to help keep on track. After all, as Mountain Trek guide Cathy says, “Little steps get you up the mountain.”
Quick Getaway: Opal Sands Resort
A New Gem on Clearwater Beach Walking into a beach resort, guests may not expect to see exquisite and custom-designed works of art all around, but that’s just what they’ll find when visiting Opal Sands Resort. The resort opened last month on Clearwater Beach, recently named the Number One Beach in the U.S. in the TripAdvisor 2016 Travelers’ Choice Awards. Outside, Opal Sands may be called a work of art in its design, overseen by Design Duncan Miller Ullmann: the concave, classically modern 15-story building features floor-to-ceiling windows on each of its levels, affording panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico and Clearwater Bay not only from every one of its 230 guestrooms, but from the lobby, restaurants and meeting spaces as well. Inside, the first piece of custom-designed art that guests encounter is “Ascent,” created by sculptor Mark Aeling and Florida native artist Christopher Still, which floats wave-like from the ceiling over the grand staircase leading up into the lobby. Other pieces of one-of-a-kind art found within Opal Sands’ public spaces include Clear Water, an arrival fountain with egrets seemingly inflight; Sunset on Clearwater Beach, an oil painting behind the front desk by Still; and Gulf Spirit, a nine-foot grouper sculpture that hangs over the entrance to Sea-Guini, the resort’s signature restaurant. The sleek design and inspiring art carries into Opal Sands’ accommodations, too, ranging from sizeable and well-appointed standard guest rooms, to One- and Two-Bedroom Sunset Suites complete with mini-kitchens. All guestrooms feature spacious balconies on which to spread out, and pull-out sofas for more sleeping space. Additionally, each guestroom floor has a “pantry” a complimentary refreshment nook with fresh fruit, cookies and drinks. For even more room, the one-bedroom Opal Sands Suites (575-square-feet, starting at $788 a night) feature a kitchen, bar, living and dining rooms, one-and-a-half bathrooms and an expansive 500-square-foot balcony. The top of the line is the two-bedroom Presidential Suite (1,300-square-feet, starting at $1,538 a night), featuring a full-size kitchen, living areas, two-and-a-half bathrooms and a flowing 1,000-square-foot balcony with 270-degree panoramic views. The Opal Sands Suites and Presidential Suite each also feature outdoor hot tubs in which to relax whilst soaking up the sun during the day, or gazing at the stars at night. Adding to Opal Sands’ appeal are the relaxing, on-site Opal Spa and the resort’s three restaurants overseen by Executive Chef Todd Holender—Sea-Guini, blending Italian cuisine and fresh seafood; Reflections, the poolside bar and eatery; and the Sand Bar, a tiki hut-roofed bar with direct access to the nearby beach. Take a quick getaway to Opal Sands Resort and meet the newest gem on Clearwater Beach Opal Sands Resort | 430 S. Gulfview Blvd. | Clearwater Beach | 855-335-1087 | www.opalsands.com