7 minute read
TASTES & EXPERIENCES
summer sippers
Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando is celebrating Summerfest with limited-time cocktails, as well as refreshing, handcrafted mocktails. In partnership with Bruno Mars’ award-winning SelvaRey Rum, the hotels are offering a destinationspecific spin on summer featuring the Royal Sunrise at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Dessert in Italy at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, and the Funky Monkey at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort (shown here). Summerfest by Loews Hotels runs through Labor Day. loewshotels.com
Quick Trips: TOP 5 THINGS
to EXPERIENCE at TRADEWINDS
by Kate Slentz
Island Grand Resort
Just let go. It’s the tagline for TradeWinds Island Resorts — the Island Grand Resort and RumFish Beach Resort — encompassing 40 acres of pristine St. Pete Beach coast where you can do just that.
Amenities abound at TradeWinds — such as the three-story waterslide, nine pools, hundreds of beachfront cabanas, floating water park, zip line, fire pits, and many more interactive activities for all ages — and all are included with the nominal daily resort fee.
After a recent stay at RumFish Beach Resort, we’ve rounded up the top five things to experience at the two connecting resorts.
1. BEACHSIDE LOUNGING. St. Pete Beach/Clearwater consistently tops travel sites as the best beach destination (Tripadvisor’s No. 1 Beach in the U.S. in 2021) and as a guest of TradeWinds, you can enjoy serene views of the clear blue waters from your private, shaded cabana — they even make it simple by allowing online reservations.
2. DINNER WITH A VIEW. No trip to TradeWinds is complete without enjoying a meal at RumFish Grill (RumFish Resort). Indulge in the unique sustainable seafood dishes (like jerked swordfish) while gazing at local sea life in the 33,500-gallon aquarium featured on Animal Planet’s Tanked. (Be sure to request seating in the main dining room — or even better, right next to the tank!)
3. ENJOY THE ENTERTAINMENT. There’s something for everyone. For this adultsonly trip, we enjoyed the evening live entertainment at various spots throughout the resort as well as the adult-only pools. Next time we hope to return with our children to participate in the Family Pirate Show, Touch Tank Experience (where they can learn about sea life), High Tide Slide, dive-in movies, beach games, and more.
4. PLENTY OF ROOM. TradeWinds has recently added 141 guestrooms to its RumFish Beach Resort by acquiring an adjacent property. The expansion brings the RumFish Beach Resort room count to 353, for a total of 899 guest rooms at TradeWinds Island Resorts. Accommodations range from intimate hotel rooms to spacious suites and villas.
5. DINING OPTIONS A DOZEN. The resort boasts 15 restaurants and bars, so one never even has to step off property. During our stay we enjoyed tropical cocktails and island-inspired dishes from Salty’s Tiki Bar & Beach Lounge (Island Grand) as well as
Mexican mules and quesadillas from Bermuda’s Beachside Cantina (Island Grand). We saved just enough room for a homemade scoop of ice cream from Yoder’s Southern
Creamery at the Ice Cream Shoppe (Island Grand).
Above: selections from Salty’s Tiki Bar & Beach Lounge; left: Jerked Swordfish at RumFish Grill; below: RumFish Beach Resort
Quick Trips: TAMPA’S EPICUREAN HOTEL DELIGHTS
the SENSES by Kate Slentz
Located in Tampa’s Hyde Park, the Epicurean — Autograph Collection Hotels — was developed in collaboration with Mainsail Lodging & Development and the legendary Bern’s Steak House to immerse guests in a truly epicure (one with sensitive and discriminating tastes especially in food or wine) experience.
My husband and I were first introduced to the hotel in 2014 and decided to return for an overnight stay to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I surprised him with a spa treatment at the hotel’s full-service Spa
Evangeline. He sipped bourbon while enjoying his Bern’s Bourbon on the Rocks
Foot Treatment, a hot stone pedicure that incorporates a spiked molten bourbon sugar scrub. Meanwhile I sipped champagne during my Bask in the Garden
Classic Pedicure featuring a citrus grass sea salt scrub crafted from Evangeline’s local farmed herb garden.
Relaxed and refreshed, we checked in at the lobby where we were offered a complimentary glass of wine, a signature of the hotel. Rooms are luxuriously appointed with butcher block-style cabinetry, reclaimed wood doors carved locally by hand, rain showers, and artisan pantries stocked with premium wine, spirits, beverages and snacks for purchase.
We dressed for dinner and headed to
EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge to enjoy the views, ambiance and one of its signature cocktails — the Garden Gimlit with
Bombay gin, cucumber, basil, sage, lime and Bitter Truth Celery.
Developed out of Bern’s Steak House traditions, Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar restaurant delivers innovative, eye-catching dishes in a comfortable, lounge-style atmosphere. Our server, Brian, had a great sense of humor and helped us select a 2018 Vintage Roth Estate Heritage Red Wine, Sonoma County, that paired perfectly with my entrée — Grass Fed Filet Mignon with grilled mixed farm greens, truffle vinaigrette and red wine demiglace. The restaurant also serves breakfast and lunch daily, and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
On our next visit, we hope to participate in a class at the hotel’s state-of-the-art Epicurean Theatre, offering open discussions on a range of topics, from cultural trends to the art of mixology and cooking techniques. We look forward to returning for the opening of the expansion — which will include 51 new guest rooms and suites, a private lobby, meeting space and rooftop terrace just across the street — slated for summer 2023. For more information, visit epicureanhotel.com.
SummerStaycations
PLAY TOURIST IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD WITH THESE SIZZLING SUMMER SPECIALS FROM AREA RESORTS.
CARIBE ROYALE SUMMER ESCAPE PACKAGE
Enjoy sun-splashed pool days, warm summer nights, daily buffet breakfast for two, 25% off self-parking fees and 1pm late checkout at Caribe Royale with its Summer Escape Package. Dine al fresco at award-winning restaurants and lounge in private cabanas with a cool drink in hand. Embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure at Orlando’s top theme park attractions or spend the day exploring the area’s beautiful parks, lakes and springs. Available through September 30, use code SUMMESC when booking your stay: cariberoyale.com/summer-escape-package-2022
From the immersive Loews Portofino Bay, Loews Royal Pacific, and Loews Sapphire Falls to the cool, beachy vibes of Universal’s Endless Summer Resort, enjoy a staycation with special Florida resident rates at one of eight Universal hotels to experience all the parks have to offer. Guests enjoy early park admission (valid theme park admission required for both benefits; select attractions), free transportation, package delivery and more. Create your perfect package at universalorlando.com/web/en/us/placesto-stay/hotels/special-offers/fl-resident-rates.
REUNION RESORT’S SLICE OF SUMMER
Reunion Resort & Golf Club presents its “Slice of Summer” program, featuring a broad range of food and beverage offers, special events, and added-value amenities to deliver unforgettable summertime fun for overnight guests. Available through September 5, the full list of Slice of Summer specials can be found at reunionresort.com/event-calendar, but highlights include: kids eat free at The Clubhouse; Sunday Brunch featuring bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys; pre-fixed dinners at 7593 Chophouse; Friday night Party on the Patio; and extended pool hours for the Saturday night Water Park Beach Bash.
SUMMER OF SELF-CARE AT THE SPA AT ROSEN SHINGLE CREEK
Take a personal daycation with The Spa at Shingle Creek’s summer spa specials featuring coconut lime blossom, a zesty blend of sun-ripened limes and a hint of lime blossom on a warm, sweet bed of coconut. Book now through July 31 and receive a 25% discount on summer spa specials. Enjoy a 50- or 80-minute massage that includes a foot scrub, or a customized facial that includes paraffin on the hands. Manicures and pedicures can also be booked separately. For more details or to schedule a treatment, visit spaatshinglecreek.com/summer-of-self-care.
FOUR SEASONS’ FOURTH NIGHT FREE
The Stay Longer — Fourth Night Free package offers a complimentary fourth night with every three paid nights through September 30 at Four Seasons Resort Orlando. Numerous added values are included within the rate, such as the complimentary daily kids’ camp; kids 5 and younger dine free at resort restaurants; complimentary transportation to the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks; and complimentary access to the on-site five-acre waterpark, state-of-the-art fitness centre, 18-hole putting course, and spa relaxation areas. For reservations, book online at fourseasons.com/orlando/offers/ or call 1-800-267-3046.
