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How to Be Pampered at the Posh Boca Raton Resort & Club in Sunny Florida By
Beverly Mann Andy Warhol said we all deserve at least 15 minutes of fame. But how about several hours feeling like royalty? As I began my ritual bath soaking in a private tub, surrounded by a lavish Moorish archway and giant columns, I was pampered with honey and mango scrubs and herbs, with flowing waterfalls in the distance. I couldn't help but feel like a queen.
(Indulge in a ritual soaking in a private tub...) My
weekend stay at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, Florida's most regal resort,
was just a step away from luxuriating at a royal palace. Today, its old-world charm still remains with more than $100 million in renovations in five distinct buildings-which includes the Cloister, the Tower, Boca Beach Club, the Yacht Club, and Boca Bungalows, along with conference centers, two championship golf courses, 30 tennis courts, and a grandiose spa. For
further convenience, there are antique yachts ferrying guests from the resort's
private 32-slip marina to its half-mile beach. The spacious waiting area reminds me of a country lodge with its high-beamed ceilings, comfy couches, and crackling fireplace. It is a getaway in itself. In fact, the resort is an exclusive village in its own right with the comfort of casual elegance attracting couples, singles, and lots of families during holiday seasons. When I arrived there during Easter break, there were many families present. The resort's Camp Boca caters to all ages-- from tiny tots to teens-- with a plethora of activities. The children experience the ultimate in resort experiences to share with their parents. The resort's signature restaurant, Cielo, located in the Tower's 27th floor, boasts a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean. I had a savory dinner at Lucca in the Cloister building where I stayed. Designed as a modern Tuscan villa, the 160-seat restaurant specializes in Mediterranean cuisine.
(The Cathedral dining room has arched ceilings and bay windows and serves a decadent breakfast buffet) The nearby Cathedral, with its arched ceilings and bay windows, serves a decadent daily breakfast buffet, which satiated my appetite for half the day. This bacchanal consisted of make-your-own omelets, fish, crepes, waffles, hot cereal, tropical fruits, yogurt parfaits, and juices accompanied by wheat grass and Vitamin C boosters for energy to get through an activity-laden day. I took a 20-minute stroll along the expansive golf course to work off my bountiful breakfast. Across the roadway was the grand Mediterranean-style Mizner Center with 80,000-square-feet of meeting and conference space. As I exited the resort, I approached the main avenue of Plaza Real at Mizner Park (www.miznerpark.com), a high-end array of boutiques, a multiplex cinema, and outdoor restaurants and cafes, which transform into a bustling night spot with music.
(The spa courtyard has an other-worldy look to it at night) I lunched at Max's Grille, an American Bistro, enjoying duck tacos with an Asian twist, and a hearty, tasty crab salad. The sweet potato fries were also yummy. The nearby Gigi Restaurant is a fun locale for dinner, with some flavorful wines by the glass. I dined outside amidst lots of energy flowing through the packed walkways. At the end of the long, manicured park following the length of the Plaza Real, shaded by royal palms, stood the Boca Museum of Art. I meandered through the outdoor sculpture garden of international artists. Some of 2008's upcoming exhibits consist of Degas in Bronze, showcasing 74 of the artist's sculptures on loan from Sao Paulo's Museum of Art. There is also a year-round art school for children and adults. Adjacent to the museum is the Centre for the Arts Amphitheater where a wide array of top names has performed: from Izak Perlman to Nora Jones and Meat Loaf. I spent hours just roaming through the shops. Douglas Cosmetics offers an extensive line of fragrances and an opportunity to refresh and get a makeover. Tommy Bahamas and Addison Gallery are also worth the time to stop and browse. After a full day out and about, it was truly heaven to sink into the tufted pillows and comfort of my bed back at the resort. Here a lime treat and special welcome message awaited me-just one more attention to detail to make the guest feel extra special as part of the royal treatment. For reservations at the Boca Resort & Club, call (888) 495-BOCA 561-447-3000. Information is also available by visiting www.bocaresort.com. Off season rooms, during the summer months, go for as low as $169 for a room normally $350 per night. Special Two and Three-Night Packages are available during June through September for tennis and golf lovers, or for those who just want to luxuriate in the spa. With the Three-Night Summer Spa Package, at $383 per night, a guest receives a full gourmet breakfast each day, a choice of two spa treatments, and three days use of the spa facilities and pool. The
Summer Unlimited Golf Package, for $386 per night, includes a golf clinic with
a pro, daily breakfast, and unlimited play on each of the Resorts two 18-hole
courses.
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