Recommend Jan 2018 - 91

onsite
review

The Spa Lounge
at Salamander Spa.

The Henderson
Heralded as the "World's Luckiest Fishing
Village," Destin, Florida these days is also
celebrated as a vacation hotspot boasting
resort hotels, timeshares, home rentals
and condos around every beach adjacent
avenue. The crowning jewel of these
sought-after locales, The Henderson
beach resort, a Salamander Beach & Spa
Resort, pays homage to bygone days while
offering the modern amenities relaxation
seekers desire.

The Secret's Out
Located within the Emerald Coast, a
picturesque stretch of white-sand beaches
in Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast, The
Henderson features 170 guestrooms with
views of either the Gulf of Mexico or the
neighboring 200-acre nature preserve. With
such attractive vistas, I had no qualms
ordering room service each morning during
my stay to enjoy on my balcony-and
thanks to the local Eglin Air Force Base,
building codes restrict nearby developments
from constructing properties above a certain
square footage ensuring optimal viewing
for guests.
Written on the walls of the resort is the
history and culture of Destin. Local artists
and artisans contributed to the myriad
custom pieces displayed throughout the
resort's shared spaces. I especially enjoyed
Russ Gilbert's blown glass creations,
including the amber-colored sea oats behind
the reception desk. Black and white images

Melissa Bryant

located throughout the corridors remind
guests of simpler times, such as the 1950s
photo of Destin fishermen pulling in their
haul from the sandy shores.
In fact, much of The Henderson is intended
to make guests feel at home. The living room
in front of reception, for example, is furnished
as its name would suggest with comfy couches
and plenty of areas for gathering. Floorto-ceiling windows let in an abundance
of natural light for those who prefer air
conditioning over the living room's outdoor
patio area. Just off the living room's patio and
down a flight of stairs is a fire pit perfect for
roasting s'mores from the onsite Sprinkles ice
cream and candy store, where guests can also
find root beer floats, sundaes, milkshakes, and
during breakfast time, specialty coffees, bagels
and pastries.

Catch of the Day
Sweets aside, The Henderson's signature
restaurant, Primrose, offers a rotating dockto-table menu with fresh caught seafood and
stunning views of the Emerald Coast. Here,
I enjoyed a "Sushi Social" with brightly
colored, and artfully displayed, sashimi and
sushi rolls. The Henderson Roll, in particular,
packs a flavorful punch with eel, avocado,
spicy tuna, jalapenos and spicy mayonnaise.
In the evenings, suggest an after-hours
handcrafted cocktail around the octagonshaped bar at Horizons. Locals and guests
alike pack the bar in the evenings, creating a
lively yet relaxed ambiance for mingling. For

me, I prefer my champagne with a side of spa,
which is exactly what I got at Salamander Spa.

Much To Do Indoors and Out
Guests can indulge in a bit of spa-radise at the
Salamander Spa with a Neroli Blossom Sensory
Experience complete with eucalyptus-infused
foot cleansing ritual and reflexology followed
by a meditative massage. The relaxing
treatment was just what I needed after my
paddleboard excursion on the Gulf with
YOLO Board.
This guided experience begins with a
quick tutorial, and then it's off to the water
for some fun in the sun. Even if your clients
don't graduate to standing on the board, the
adventure is well worth it, especially if they
are able to see dolphins during their outing
like I did.
For a less strenuous, yet equally as
entertaining outdoor activity, suggest renting
one of The Henderson's complimentary
cruiser bikes to explore the town. After my
ride, I traded two wheels for four thanks to
a complimentary BMW Resort Driving Tour
going on during my stay, wherein I took full
advantage of a 3-hour BMW test drive. My
weapon of choice was a slick red convertible
I took for a ride on the open road to check
out the nearby Destin Commons shopping
center. I was quick to return, after all a
"Destin-ation" of discovery was waiting for
me back at the resort.
Contact Information

The Henderson: hendersonbeachresort.com
january 2018 91
http://www.hendersonbeachresort.com
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