Recommend May 2018 - 34

"
The Florida Keys & Key West are seeing a resurgence in demand and we're seeing
that demand grow back to above-normal levels. Resorts are making an amazing rebound
since last fall. Eighty percent of all lodging units are open after Hurricane Irma and
the destination is set to unveil 1,500 'new' rooms this summer,
showcasing all-new and fully refurbished resorts.

-- Jim Dekeyrel, Director of Sales, The Florida Keys & Key West

throughout the 60-acre resort, as well as an
expanded beachfront with more facilities
for swimmers, fishermen and sunbathers.
Public spaces such as the jr. Olympic-size
pool, tennis courts, tiki huts, and barbecue
areas have also been refurbished, along
with partial or full renovations of almost
all suites, including new furniture and
enhanced WiFi throughout the property.

When in Naples...
Naples Grande Beach Resort unveiled 50
newly renovated Garden Villa Suites. These
secluded, custom-designed villas debuted as
an additional phase of the resort's multimillion-dollar refresh following the impact

of Hurricane Irma. Also renovated are the
property's public spaces, guestrooms, spa,
and restaurants. Off-season rates for the
Garden Villa Suite start at $359 per night;
resort rates start at $209 per night.
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, a
Noble House Resort has brought back
its Sea Turtle Suite package for the 2018
nesting season. The 2-night package
includes dining at the resort's BALEEN
Naples restaurant, the opportunity to adopt
a sea turtle, and visit the Conservancy of
Southwest Florida. Guests can book
now for the nesting season taking place
between May and October 2018; rates
start at $1,400.

When in Tampa...
■ Take a stroll along 7th Avenue in the historic neighborhood of Ybor City, with its Spanish
and Italian architecture complemented by wrought iron balconies. The popular avenue
spills over with bars, cafes, sidewalk jazz musicians, vintage shops, breweries and landmark
restaurants, including the decorative Columbia Restaurant, whose history in the city stems
back more than 100 years. Mingle with locals in the intimate confines of Ybor City's Cigar
City Cider & Mead where the menu of small-batch specialties changes regularly.
■ Take in the waterfront while walking along Tampa Riverwalk, which has debuted monthly
Fourth Friday events highlighting the city's cultural side. New, too, are floating docks that give
boaters, kayakers, and paddleboarders access to the Riverwalk.
■ Try the city's new food halls in historic Tampa Heights, where visitors can sample
mouthwatering fare at Hall on Franklin or Heights Public Market located inside the
waterfront Armature Works, both iconic buildings reborn as stylish, modern eateries.
■ Spend a day at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, ideal for animals lovers and rollercoaster
enthusiasts, and then skip on over next door to its sister waterpark, Adventure Island Tampa
Bay, which recently debuted a new slide ride, Vanish Point. At the top of the 70-ft. tower,
riders can choose between two 425-ft. paths: in one, the floor disappears beneath the rider, and
in the other, riders go down a 455-ft.-long spiraling slide.
■ Experience the new 4-D theater and splash pad at The Florida Aquarium.
■ Take a detour to St. Petersburg to visit The Dali Museum, with a collection of works by
Spanish artist Salvador Dali. Don't miss the virtual reality experience: guests "walk" through a
virtual wonderland of Dali's paintings while listening to haunting music. Alfresco, dare to get
lost in the museum's garden maze.
■ Luxury Hotel Pick: Part of the Autograph Collection, the food-focused, 137-room
Epicurean hotel is a boutique property located in the trendy Hyde Park historic district of
South Tampa. It features a state-of-the-art culinary classroom known as the Epicurean Theatre;
Elevage, a restaurant where classic recipes are re-imagined; EDGE rooftop bar; Chocolate Pi
patisserie; Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits wine shop; and the Evangeline full-service spa.
And let clients know that the CityPASS will get them into some of Tampa Bay's most
popular attractions for half the normal cost of a ticket: $106 for adults, $96 for children 3-9
years of age, a 51 percent saving compared to buying all the tickets at full price.
34 may 2018

Another option at this property is the
Birdies, Bacon and Bourbon package starting
at $699 per night available through June
30. Perfect for those dads on your roster
who want to take a break in a luxurious
beachfront suite, which accommodates
up to four guests. He'll also get to enjoy
a round of golf for two, a bacon-inspired
breakfast for two at BALEEN Naples
with treats such as a bacon-studded waffle
with Vermont maple bourbon syrup, and
specialty Bourbon beachside cocktails
for two.
This June, The Naples Beach Hotel
& Golf Club will kick off its annual
SummerJazz on the Gulf concert series.
Running through September, these
Saturday evening concerts at this fourdiamond beachfront resort will play host
to Show Biz Kids, a 12-piece Steely Dan
tribute band, as well as the New Orleansstyle TBone Hamilton's Big Easy Revue.
The hotel has a Stay 2 Nights and the 3rd
Night is Free package that runs June 4
to Sept. 30.
For those into watersports, Paddle
Naples offers guests paddleboarding,
kayaking, and fishing tours. While on tour,
guests might even spot pods of dolphin or
manatees. Experienced adventurers can opt
to explore the local area solely by water.
Travelers can choose from hourly, daily, or
multi-day rentals and tours, including full
guided eco tours. ■
Contact Information
Baker's Cay Resort: curiocollection3.hilton.com
Bungalows Key Largo: bungalowskeylargo.com
Cheeca Lodge & Spa: cheeca.com
Epicurean: epicureanhotel.com
The Florida Keys & Key West: fla-keys.com
Hawks Cay Resort: hawkscay.com
La Playa Beach & Golf Resort, a Noble House Resort:
laplayaresort.com

Naples Grande Beach Resort: naplesgrande.com
Naples, Marco Island, Everglades: paradisecoast.com
Ocean Pointe Suites:
providentresorts.com/ocean-pointe-suites
Paddle Naples: paddlenaples.com

The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club:
naplesbeachhotel.com
Visit Tampa Bay: visittampabay.com

recommend.com

http://curiocollection3.hilton.com http://www.bungalowskeylargo.com http://www.cheeca.com http://www.epicureanhotel.com http://www.fla-keys.com http://www.hawkscay.com http://www.laplayaresort.com http://www.naplesgrande.com http://www.paradisecoast.com http://www.providentresorts.com/ocean-pointe-suites http://www.paddlenaples.com http://www.naplesbeachhotel.com http://www.visittampabay.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend May 2018