TRAVEL SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2016 MONTREAL GAZETTE H9 RELAXATION POURS FORTH AT MARGARITAVILLE ROCHELLE LASH Checking In IF YOU GO Jimmy Buffett’s new Margari- taville Hollywood Beach Resort is the embodiment of cocktail Margaritaville is 10 kilometres culture, with tiki hut bars and a south of Fort Lauderdale- tropical beach party vibe. Hollywood International But Margaritaville also has an Airport and 12 kilometres unexpectedly polished side: it’s south of Port Everglades, the a fine hotel with fetching beach- second-largest cruise port in chic decor, good food, a cracker- the world (after Miami). jack staff and a sublime spa. Margaritaville Hollywood It’s full service, boasting a Beach Resort: 954-874- ballroom, a boutique and a busi- 4444, margaritavilleholly- ness centre. Exceptionally, it woodbeachresort.com; 1111 spans two glorious waterfronts, N. Ocean Drive, Hollywood, stretching from a beach club on Fla. the Atlantic Ocean to a lively Price: Rates fluctuate daily dockside pub on the Intracoastal and prices are approximate. Waterway. Rooms start at US$199 until Margaritaville represents a Nov. 30. Resort fee of $15 philosophy as much as a vacation a day covers beach-cruiser destination, so to get in the spirit, The Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort is part of Jimmy Buffett’s colourful hospitality empire. bikes, live entertainment, I went full immersion ahead of PHOTOS: EILEEN ESCARDA/MARGARITAVILLE HOLLYWOOD BEACH RESORT two beach chairs/umbrella, time. three swimming pools, Wi-Fi, Barefoot and bikini-clad at private balcony is high up and fitness centre, in-room coffee, home in Montreal, I browsed yields a sweeping view of either local calls. margaritaville.com for palm- the Atlantic or the Intracoastal. Extra: valet parking, $35; frond palazzo pants and premi- self-parking, $30; pool ca- um tequila. I listened to Buffett An oasis of calm: The biggest banas from $100; FlowRider tunes on Radio Margaritaville on surprise about Margaritaville is Double, $25-$45; Parakeet Sirius XM, and I streamed Mar- that it has options for a tranquil Kids’ Club from $50 for a garitaville TV to watch videos of getaway. half-day; fitness/yoga, $12 at breezy, sunny paradises. The luxurious St. Somewhere 8 a.m., Thurs.-Sun.; paddle I was prepped. Spa is a soothing sanctuary with boarding/kayaking from 11 treatment rooms, plus Vichy approximately $35; access The real thing: In living colour, showers, a mani-pedi salon to St. Somewhere Spa baths: the Margaritaville Hollywood with OPI products and an inner 954-874-4430, starting at Beach Resort is high-spirited sanctum of steam and whirlpool $25. and entertaining. It is a spar- baths. Hollywood informa- kling $200-million indoor- Special après-sun services tion: 954-924-2980, outdoor hospitality complex include the Coconut Body Bliss visithollywoodfl.org; Fort that is the new wow factor of the exfoliation, the Vitamin C Facial Lauderdale: 800-22-SUN- Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, a and the Aloe Quench hydrating NY/800-227-8669; sunny. retro oceanfront promenade of The Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort has 349 rooms with deluxe treatment. org; Florida: 888-735-2872, souvenir shops and ice cream coastal decor. If you like your swimming visitflorida.com. parlours. pools peaceful, the spacious “It’s exciting. … The hotel is where big steaks and big wines rule. Farmer. “It’s fresh, casual and 11th-floor deck is a blessing, and Lone Palm Beach Bar supplies vibrant and dynamic,” said Mar- ■ Live entertainment at several cool.” reserved for guests aged 21 and beachcombers with fish tacos and garitaville general manager Cate venues, including the LandShark I’ll add ‘pure.’ I loved the guest over. You can bronze on circular frozen daiquiris. Farmer. “It adds a new dimension Bar and Grill, which serves buckets rooms’ crisp white palette with sun beds and dip in the large, Five O’Clock Somewhere, the and there is so much to do.” of beer and 10 kinds of margaritas, colour pops of aqua and sky rectangular pool. The License to hotel bar and grill on the Intra- The lobby is a buzzy scene and along with crispy shrimp, burgers blue — a refreshing escape from Chill Bar serves poolside lunches, coastal Waterway, is a new stop a half, with people moving and and key lime pie. the heat and sun. The bedding is washed down with Champagne for the Fort Lauderdale Water mingling to upbeat music by white-on-white striped cotton, or punchy drinks like Last Mango Taxi, as well as a launch site for Buffett, the Beach Boys and Bob Deluxe decor: The spacious lobby the doors are shutter-style, and in Paris. paddle boarding and kayaking. Marley. has the look of a tropical island the white dressers have leather This might be the best vantage The 349 rooms and suites have cottage, with whitewashed walls handles, like steamer trunks. The neighbourhood: Margari- point in town for sunsets and been almost sold out since the as backdrops to parrot murals, All the rooms are equipped taville is already a community sangria. resort opened six months ago, vintage surfboards and rustic with excellent soundproof- leader, having worked with the with guests flocking to Holly- pottery. ing to counter all the partying, city to refurbish the Hollywood Conclusion: With all the hoopla, I wood’s latest sensations, such as: Amid fountains and potted plus work desks, mini-fridges Bandshell for live performances. was worried Margaritaville would ■ The surf-simulating FlowRider palms, visitors chill on casual fur- and pristine glass-and-white And Margaritaville invites the be too frenetic. But it’s thorough- Double, as well as youngsters’ niture made of rattan covered in bathrooms, each with a double public to taste its delights. On the ly enjoyable — even luxurious. activities, such as the Parakeet linen and denim. Look up: hun- vanity. The accommodations are Broadwalk, it operates Floridays And after this, every other hotel Kids’ Club. dreds of crystal margarita glasses on the 11th through 17th floors Airstream Café, a food truck will seem like ... well, just a hotel. ■ The sophisticated JWB Prime dangle from a chandelier. (meeting spaces and parking are that dishes up fancy hotdogs and [email protected] Steak and Seafood Restaurant, “We call it ‘coastal luxe,’” said on 1 through 10), so each room’s rum creamsicles. The oceanside twitter.com/rochellelash MAINE NEW YORK NE’R BEACH AMERICA’S BEST VALUE INN 395 Post Road, Wells, ME 04090 www.plattsburghbestvalueinn.com 514-987-2279 www.nerbeach.com 19 Booth Drive, Plattsburgh, New York 1-877-646-2636 [email protected] 518-563-0222 Toll free 1-800-358-2137 Kick off Maine’s 2016 season with a free night! Relaxing motel property conveniently In wonderful Plattsburgh. Only $70 CDN (tax incl.) per room per night. located between picturesque villages of Ogunquit and Kennebunkport. Clean, comfortable Canadian cash. Up to 2 people, additional pers. add $10 more per night. rooms and efficiencies. Beautiful gardens, outdoor pool, BBQ and picnic area. Scenic Free continental breakfast. Located conveniently off exit 37 on I-87. Some 1/2 mile walk to beautiful Moody Beach. Mention this ad, or use online code ‘Gazette’ and when you book 2 nights, stay the 3rd free! Offer valid for reservations between holidays, wknds & spec. events do not apply. Up to 70% occ. daily. May 1 - June 16, 2016. Offer excludes Victoria Day and Memorial Day weekends. Based on availability. VERMONT SMART SUITES www.smartsuitesburlington.com 1700 Shelburne Rd., So. Burlington, Vt. Toll free 877-862-6800 Come and enjoy our hospitality in either a studio efficiency at US $92.00 or a more spacious one bedroom suite at US $112.00/night including a deluxe continental breakfast and free WIFI. Mention the Gazette special. Not valid with other discounts and always subject to availability. Rates in effect May 1 - October 31, 2016. Take Exit 13 off I-89, left on Rt 7 (Shelburne Rd) for 1.5 miles. Same entrance as Holiday Inn Express. MON01076148_1_1.