Domestic Updates
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A Visit To Miami Beach, Bal Harbor, Boca Raton & Palm Beach
April, 2008
Dear Traveller,
I recently returned to Florida for an update and site inspections. In 2007, Boca Raton successfully
created a March Music and Art Festival. This year it was expanded to a seventeen-day festival. The
wonderful Russian National Symphony performed four concerts with spectacular soloists such as Lang
Lang the world-class pianist, the famous violinist Joshua Bell, flautists the Galways and the
Metropolitan star, Renee Fleming. We left each concert walking on air.
I stayed a few days in South Beach at the Ritz Carlton to enjoy the fun hotels, restaurants and the local
buzz. It was filled with families and a young, hip crowd. The hotel has been added to one of the original
Art Deco beachfront hotels. It was skillfully blended and is very different. It has a lovely pool area
and a very pleasant dining room. While in Miami, I had the opportunity to visit the Oceania Cruises’ ship,
Regatta, for a delicious lunch and inspection. I have not sailed on their ships since they were taken over
from Renaissance Cruises and renovated, but hear only good things about them.
The mile-long Bal Harbor area has been promoting itself separately from it’s South Beach neighbors.
The Sheraton Americana was imploded and the new St. Regis is rising. I traveled to the just opened
Regent Hotel which is positively stunning – exquisitely designed, fantastic water location and a
spectacular sandy beach. You will never have to ride in a crowded elevator – each dedicated elevator
opens to only one room and one suite! The rooms have large terraces and spectacular views. Every
comfort has been included. There are several restaurants, a bar and a top of the line spa. This is the
place for a perfect stay. The Bal Harbor shops are still the best collection of luxury shops anywhere in
one beautiful location. I had a marvelous lunch at Carpaccio’s, cooked to order, with Jose Lima, Director
of Tourism and Marketing for the Bal Harbour Village. Since the restaurant didn’t take reservations, he
helped us get a table. Jose walked me through the beautiful, landscaped mall to introduce me to the
shopping wonders. I had not been there for years and it has only improved. Bal Harbor has its own
mayor, city council and everything a large city has.
The iconic Fontainbleau is closed and undergoing a complete reconstruction along with many other
hotels. The Gansevoort South with its signature rooftop pool just opened (The Gansevoort New York is
in the up-and-coming meat packing district) and others will soon follow, including Canyon Ranch. The
Trump Sonesta was the first deluxe hotel/condo to open in Sunny Isles and there are many more now.
You wouldn’t recognize this area!
Palm Beach speaks for itself – beautiful in every way. I did a sight inspection of the Ritz Carlton,
newly renovated and reopened in Manalapan at the entrance to Palm Beach. It has been redone in the
finest of tastes. The rooms are now contemporary but the public rooms remain traditional though painted
and furnished in light colors – not the usual Ritz. The children’s area is the most complete I have ever
seen – from a disc-jockey to movie making and theatre. The pool area has been extensively enlarged with
trees, plants and flowers everywhere. I enjoyed a delicious lunch on the terrace with the representative
from Palm Beach County Tourist Board. I have been on their travel agency advisory board for many
years and feel especially close to them and their programs. On another day I had lunch at the Breakers.
I loved their restoration since it is in the beautiful, old-world style. They have wonderful shopping, a
multi-million dollar spa, great dining, beautiful grounds and beach.
Tourism to the Caribbean and Mexico grew because of the uncertain winter weather in Florida.
Luxurious hotels kept opening and there were major investments in the original luxury properties such as
Round Hill, Half Moon and the Jamaica Inn in Jamaica, Little Dix in Virgin Gorda and Sandy Lane in
Barbados to mention just a few. Florida, too, has undergone a renaissance. Right now it’s lovely weather
and there are some great spring values. Palm Beach and Bal Harbour put out substantial, off-season
coupon savings books for dining, hotels, museums and sightseeing.
Florida as a destination vacation is so each to reach and has wonderful food, hotels, great shopping and
tremendous diversity. Think about it for a few days or a longer trip.
April, 2008
Dear Traveller,
I recently returned to Florida for an update and site inspections. In 2007, Boca Raton successfully
created a March Music and Art Festival. This year it was expanded to a seventeen-day festival. The
wonderful Russian National Symphony performed four concerts with spectacular soloists such as Lang
Lang the world-class pianist, the famous violinist Joshua Bell, flautists the Galways and the
Metropolitan star, Renee Fleming. We left each concert walking on air.
I stayed a few days in South Beach at the Ritz Carlton to enjoy the fun hotels, restaurants and the local
buzz. It was filled with families and a young, hip crowd. The hotel has been added to one of the original
Art Deco beachfront hotels. It was skillfully blended and is very different. It has a lovely pool area
and a very pleasant dining room. While in Miami, I had the opportunity to visit the Oceania Cruises’ ship,
Regatta, for a delicious lunch and inspection. I have not sailed on their ships since they were taken over
from Renaissance Cruises and renovated, but hear only good things about them.
The mile-long Bal Harbor area has been promoting itself separately from it’s South Beach neighbors.
The Sheraton Americana was imploded and the new St. Regis is rising. I traveled to the just opened
Regent Hotel which is positively stunning – exquisitely designed, fantastic water location and a
spectacular sandy beach. You will never have to ride in a crowded elevator – each dedicated elevator
opens to only one room and one suite! The rooms have large terraces and spectacular views. Every
comfort has been included. There are several restaurants, a bar and a top of the line spa. This is the
place for a perfect stay. The Bal Harbor shops are still the best collection of luxury shops anywhere in
one beautiful location. I had a marvelous lunch at Carpaccio’s, cooked to order, with Jose Lima, Director
of Tourism and Marketing for the Bal Harbour Village. Since the restaurant didn’t take reservations, he
helped us get a table. Jose walked me through the beautiful, landscaped mall to introduce me to the
shopping wonders. I had not been there for years and it has only improved. Bal Harbor has its own
mayor, city council and everything a large city has.
The iconic Fontainbleau is closed and undergoing a complete reconstruction along with many other
hotels. The Gansevoort South with its signature rooftop pool just opened (The Gansevoort New York is
in the up-and-coming meat packing district) and others will soon follow, including Canyon Ranch. The
Trump Sonesta was the first deluxe hotel/condo to open in Sunny Isles and there are many more now.
You wouldn’t recognize this area!
Palm Beach speaks for itself – beautiful in every way. I did a sight inspection of the Ritz Carlton,
newly renovated and reopened in Manalapan at the entrance to Palm Beach. It has been redone in the
finest of tastes. The rooms are now contemporary but the public rooms remain traditional though painted
and furnished in light colors – not the usual Ritz. The children’s area is the most complete I have ever
seen – from a disc-jockey to movie making and theatre. The pool area has been extensively enlarged with
trees, plants and flowers everywhere. I enjoyed a delicious lunch on the terrace with the representative
from Palm Beach County Tourist Board. I have been on their travel agency advisory board for many
years and feel especially close to them and their programs. On another day I had lunch at the Breakers.
I loved their restoration since it is in the beautiful, old-world style. They have wonderful shopping, a
multi-million dollar spa, great dining, beautiful grounds and beach.
Tourism to the Caribbean and Mexico grew because of the uncertain winter weather in Florida.
Luxurious hotels kept opening and there were major investments in the original luxury properties such as
Round Hill, Half Moon and the Jamaica Inn in Jamaica, Little Dix in Virgin Gorda and Sandy Lane in
Barbados to mention just a few. Florida, too, has undergone a renaissance. Right now it’s lovely weather
and there are some great spring values. Palm Beach and Bal Harbour put out substantial, off-season
coupon savings books for dining, hotels, museums and sightseeing.
Florida as a destination vacation is so each to reach and has wonderful food, hotels, great shopping and
tremendous diversity. Think about it for a few days or a longer trip.
