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Living B5 SOUTH JERSEY TIMES, AFFILIATED WITH NJ.COM SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2017 WiTRAVEL nter escape Fla. resort is a retro, relaxing experience Nicole Pensiero For South Jersey Times ur midwinter travel goal was simple: a girlfriends’ getaway to someplace warm and sunny that Owouldn’t require a passport and offered an on-site spa for easily accessible pampering treatments. We didn’t even want the hassle of having to rent a car to sightsee. We quickly set our sights elegant, retro-hip “Old Flor- on Florida, homing in on ida” lobby to the incredibly the southern part of the lush grounds, we felt as if Sunshine State in the hopes we were strolling through the ocean there might be a tropical garden, complete warm enough for a dip in with a pair of colorful par- late January/early February. rots. The place was enchant- Options were plentiful, ing. but we decided on a Miami The focus of our four- Beach resort with a reputa- night, three-day stay was tion for elegance without clearly on rest and relax- stuffiness: the Palms Hotel ation. We didn’t expect to & Spa. Located in what was do much exploring off-site, originally a late 1930s art in fact, preferring the idea of deco hotel, the Palms billed sunbathing, spa treatments itself as the place for “laid- and naps. But wouldn’t you back sophistication.” It know it? We had one day of certainly seemed to have nonstop rain, which moti- everything we were look- vated us to hail an Uber to ing for: an on-site Aveda visit nearby South Beach, spa, a beachfront location, where we strolled along a heated pool (open round- the Lincoln Road retail the-clock!) and a farm-to- area and wandered over to table restaurant. There was Casa Casuarina, commonly even an indoor-outdoor bar known as the “Versace Man- and lounge, which proved sion.” This 1930 Italian-style perfect for late-night relax- villa had been owned for ing and snacking. five years by famed fashion The Palms, which designer Gianni Versace, recently underwent a who was murdered on its multi-million dollar reno- front steps 20 years ago this vation, is privately owned — summer. Today, Casa Casu- something that sets it apart arina is an ultra-exclusive in terms of its style. From its SEE FLORIDA, B6 The Palm Hotel’s four spa tikis. The view from our room gave a breathtaking vista of the Miami beachfront. Nicole Pensiero APPRECIATION Osborne introduced classic films, but needed no introduction Stephen lunch at Sardi’s, and occa- Hollywood — when movie too — and in the real life of a Whitty sionally bumped into him stars still gave dinner parties movie star. ArtiSyndicate on the street or at the theater and you might meet Cary “Life was not a happy (a longtime New Yorker, he Grant at the buffet table over place for Lucy,” he confided. For millions lived at a building called The the lobster thermidor. “But she was a trouper. I of movie lov- Osborne — something which Osborne appreciated the would spend the day with ers, he was the best friend delighted him endlessly). town’s glamour. He never her and watch her having they never met. And yet on Monday when felt himself anything but problems with her mother, Robert Osborne never the 84-year-old died — as he lucky to have landed there, a her kids, her husband, the pushed himself into people’s had lived, quietly, privately, contract player at Desilu. repairman, just like every- lives. But for more than 20 without undue fuss — for “Desi was running around one else. And then I’d go to years, he was welcomed into me, as for so many others, it with his girlfriends, and so an event with her at night their homes, as the beloved left a hole. Lucy took an interest in us,” and, when that spotlight hit host of Turner Classic Mov- A lover of classic films, Osborne remembered of the her, I’d think, ‘Oh my God, ies. And his calm, comfort- Osborne was himself an fledgling stock company. it’s Lucille Ball!’ ” ing, avuncular presence was old-fashioned man. He grew “She’d run prints of films, It was that kind of just- a warm delight. up star-struck in small town talk about why something get-on-with-it fortitude that I wasn’t lucky enough Washington, where “the peo- worked in a scene or didn’t most struck Osborne about to know him well. I inter- ple I knew were all talking — it was a wonderful kind of the old Hollywood and all viewed him a few times, about crops.” He came to master class.” the people there who “get In 2008, TCM host Robert Osborne shared a meal with writer once over a long, leisurely Hollywood when it was still A class in perseverance, SEE WHITTY, B6 Stephen Whitty at Sardi’s in New York. File photo B6 SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2017 SOUTH JERSEY TIMES, AFFILIATED WITH NJ.COM lar spa, we were very taken FLORIDA with the resort’s Essensia Additional popular spots FROM B5 Restaurant, which focuses on farm-to-table and locally Here are a few more popular Fort Lauderdale. hotel, as well as a tour- sourced cuisine. There’s South Florida (and a little bit 866-837-4203. ist spot for curious vaca- even an organic on-site gar- north of same) spa hotels: tioners. We also enjoyed den, which guests are wel- › Located in South Florida’s dinner in South Beach at come to stroll through. › The Standard, located on “It” town of Delray Beach, a very casual eatery, Bella With its intimate indoor Belle Isle in South Beach the Seagate Hotel & Cuba, which featured dining room, a large Carib- Miami, is known for being Spa has been described yummy Cuban fare at bean-style covered terrace less a hotel and more a spa as “where island meets incredibly low prices. (Not and a poolside terrace, a with guest rooms, many urban chic.” This 154-room to mention the best mojitos visit to Essensia was our of which feature outdoor boutique property features of our visit). favorite way to begin each soaking tubs. There is also several unique amenities, But, beyond that, the morning, savoring the an indoor and outdoor including a 7,000-gallon Palms was our vacation expansive breakfast buffet. hydrotherapy playground, aquarium and a 2,500-gallon “home away from home,” We also enjoyed one very a juice café, fitness center, shark tank at its Atlantic and we took full advan- elegant and delicious din- clothing boutique and Dan- Grille Restaurant. The prop- tage of its many amenities. ner there our last night. ish modern bar and lounge, erty also has two boutique I signed up for its “signature not to mention the popular stores and a spa offering a massage,” an 80-minute RUNNING WORKSHOPS Lido Restaurant & Bayside full range of services. mega-pampering package The Palms’ focus on Grill. 1000 East Atlantic Ave., that features a 30-minute health and wellness 40 Island Ave., Miami Beach, Delray Beach, treatment in what is called extends to its activities, 305-673-1717. 877-609-1016. a HydroCapsule. This too. In addition to on-site unique piece of equipment, yoga classes, there are free › The Acqualina Resort & › For Florida fans looking a lit- which reminded me a bit monthly NatuRuns — run- Spa on the Beach in Sunny tle farther north: on the East of an oversized clamshell, ning workshops open to Isles Beach is a top-of-the Coast, the 168-room Jupiter has the client lie inside resort guests and Miami line resort awarded AAA Beach Resort & Spa offers it wearing a disposable locals that include mindful- Five Star recognition. The island-inspired accommoda- bikini provided by the spa. ness exercises, along with hotel’s spa offers Himalayan Florida’s Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa, in Jupiter, and the Sand- tions and oceanfront dining, From there, you’re treated a run by the ocean, and salt walls, crystal steam pearl Resort, in Clearwater Beach, offer many spa amenities. along with a full-service spa to a salt scrub that’s rinsed all-natural refreshments. rooms, arctic ice fountains Courtesy of Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa and the Sandpearl Resort that uses only all-natural, and steamed off in the Speaking of the ocean, and Finnish dry heat saunas. paraben-free products. HydroCapsule, which also we especially loved the For families traveling with the 124-room Atlantic has a $55 million renovation, 5 North A1A, Jupiter, releases light therapy. It hotel’s location, right on children, the package grants become a go-to destination much of which has been 877-389-0571. was a unique experience, to the beachfront, with a pri- access to the resort’s Chil- for relaxation and sunshine. completed, including the be sure, and one that left me vate entrance to the charm- dren’s Center and AcquaMa- This AAA 4 Diamond-rated restyling of all 430 guest › Even farther north on totally relaxed for my even ing Miami Beach wooden rine program (for kids 5-12). property has seven private rooms. The hotel’s signature Florida’s west coast, is more relaxing massage. boardwalk that goes on for There are also three ocean- massage rooms in its beach- fourth-floor Living Room has Clearwater Beach’s popular One of my friends splurged miles. Palms’ guests are front swimming pools. front day spa, including two also been updated, along Sandpearl Resort. This AAA on a facial, which she raved provided with free beach 17875 Collins Ave., couples’ rooms.