For example, a $200 million renovation included a redesign of the resort’s public areas; the debut of new restaurants; and the restoration of the report’s signature Cloister Tower. 

The reimagining of the property’s Beach Club Hotel will be unveiled in January, featuring more new restaurants, a new-look lobby, featuring a new bar and café; a new fitness facility and oceanside event space, and renovation of the hotel’s 207 guest rooms and suites.

When the Beach Club Hotel opens, it will give The Boca Raton a total of five hotels (Cloister, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Tower and Bungalows) amid 200 waterfront acres.

The Boca Raton golf course — originally a Donald Ross design known as the Cloister Inn Golf Club when it opened in 1926 — is a solid, 6,253-yard, par 71 layout, featuring five sets of tees. Ross designed the course between the time he built two of his more noted Palm Beach County layouts — Gulf Stream Golf Club (1924) and Seminole (1929).

There’s nothing hidden or quirky about the course, which is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Golf legends Tommy Armour and Sam Snead each served as golf professionals at the resort.

The golf course is exclusively reserved for resort guests and members.

The post The Boca Raton Offers a Fresh, Modern Vibe appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

Public on-sales are underway exclusively at chefsmakingwaves.com. Guests can secure their booking for just $100 down per person by enrolling in Automatic Monthly Billing before Monday, Sept. 9.

Chefs Making Waves will feature an incredible lineup of the world’s top chefs and mixologists to deliver a unique culinary experience for those seeking gastronomic indulgence and epicurean adventure. This celebration will showcase cooking demonstrations, special buffet features, carefully curated dining experiences, and restaurant takeovers, all hosted by renowned chefs, TV personalities, cookbook authors, food activists, and restaurateurs such as Richard Blais, Maneet Chauhan, Tom Colicchio, Scott Conant, Robert Irvine, Antonia Lofaso, Jonathan Waxman, Geoffrey Zakarian, and Claudette Zepeda, with more talent to be announced soon. Additionally, Chefs Making Waves will offer passengers a wide range of opportunities to enhance their cooking skills and treat their taste buds to an immersive collection of experiences, including theme nights, mixology sessions, autograph opportunities and much more.

The Norwegian Gem offers fully stocked bars, delightful dining options, a Pool Deck with multiple hot tubs, the Gem Club Casino, Mandara Spa, Body Waves Fitness Center, Sports Court, and a host of other amenities.

Guests of Chefs Making Waves will have the opportunity to take part in a memorable shore excursion in Cozumel, Mexico, well-known for its excellent fishing, snorkeling, and diving possibilities, as well as the chance to explore historic Mayan ruins. The shore excursions will not be available until four to six weeks before the sailing date. Cruisers can book an excursion once they receive their official booking number.

Photos BY @Spectacle Photo – Rich Johnson

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Parent company Yurbban Hospitality Group started out in Spain and has grown to 20 locations, including Colombia, Peru and three others in SoBe: Crest Hotel & Suites, Casa Boutique Hotel and Aqua Hotel. 

Uma’s Sunset Tower is home to check-in — enter off of St. James Street, just south of 18^th Street. Walking up to the check-in area immediately set the vibe with chic landscaping and sleek furnishings. The Sunset Tower has art pieces selected to evoke old Miami charm.

The Sunrise Tower on the east side of the property has a fun bohemian counter-culture ambiance with retro photos. Café Americano on the ground floor is super convenient and offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and a lively cocktail hour. The people watching along Collins is quite fun.

The Sunrise Tower’s rooftop pool area offered a bar with complimentary beer and wine during happy hour. The view to the east was quite lovely with The Delano just to the south.

I stayed in the Sunrise Tower on an upper floor with a sweeping view of Collins Avenue and the Atlantic Ocean.

The fun vibe of the room was set by a vinyl record player with the Beach Boy’s “Endless Summer” ready to play along. A long low dresser was ready with snacks for purchase. Multiple USB and 110 outlets forestalled one of my pet peeves about many hotel rooms. Everything was fresh and clean. The comfy beds had 300-thread-count sheets.

The hotel was a great location for a series of casual foodie adventures.

After recently profiling chef Michelle Bernstein, I was eager to visit Sweet Liberty (237-B 20th St.), which enlists her talents along with her husband, David Martinez and bartenders John Lermayer and Dan Binkiewicz.

Happy hour was in full form and the restaurant was buzzing with a rock and roll soundtrack from my youth, being enjoyed by a crowd much younger than myself. Bernstein’s fried chicken sandwich lived up to its billing and was accompanied by a tasty watermelon salad. I also ordered the shoestring fries — pure perfection — and the brownie dessert with a scoop of ice cream served in a small cast iron skillet. I had to tell myself not to eat the whole thing.

Breakfast Saturday morning was at Café Americano. I loved the CA Breakfast Sandwich, with shaved ham, fluffy scrambled eggs, cheddar and provolone and a griddled brioche bun. Sunday morning was indulgent French toast with a tres leches custard, rum dulce de leche, and strawberries.

One of the great things about SoBe is its walkability, so it was easy to check out Ocean Drive, the Lincoln Road Mall and Washington Avenue.

I came across Mozzico Cucina, Pizza & more (1616 Washington Ave.) at lunchtime on Saturday and had an outstanding rectangular slice of pesto pizza with cherry tomatoes and basil. I got dessert at Osmanlizadeler Baklava (618 Lincoln Road). Being a chocoholic, you can guess what mine had in it.

 I wanted to keep it a little light for dinner and dropped into Rosetta Bakery (1666 Collins Ave.) and had The Authentic Rosetta sandwhich, a delight filled with Italian cooked ham, cream cheese, prosciutto di parma and arugula mortadella.

As I drove back north on State Road A1A the next morning, I concluded that Uma was a fun experience with great vibes and an unfailingly friendly staff. If you want to go, check out umahousesouthbeach.com for end-of-year specials.

The post SoBe Getaway appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

Ernest Hemingway’s home (and museum), for example, is a short walk from Pier House. Yes, the descendants of Papa’s six-toed cats still roam the premises. President Harry Truman’s “Southern White House’’ also a popular attraction. A stroll – day or night – up Duval Street – is 1.25 miles of pure Key West – a combination of decadence and entertainment that can only be found on Florida’s southernmost point.

Pier House Resort & Spa is a luxurious respite from the maddening crowds that make Key West… well, Key West.  The resort’s Spa Junior Suites  each offer outstanding accommodations, including porches that are perfect for people watching. Want something even more luxurious? Try a  Oceanfront Luxury Suite that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico. 

At the resort’s center is the aptly named One Duval restaurant,  led by Executive Chef Maria Manso. Like most residents of Key West, Manso came from somewhere else. Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Manso grew up cooking next to her mother.

“In my household, we cooked Spanish food,’’ said Manso, whose culinary career has taken her from Southern California to South Beach and 11 years ago to Key West. “My mother loved to cook. I learned a lot from her, especially about tasting everything. That way, you can find the right balance.

“Cooking always involves finding the right balance of ingredients. Sometimes I’ll taste something and remember cooking it with my mom.’’

Overlooking the water with great views of ships coming in and out of Key West, One Duval serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s a good idea to try at least one of each – if not more – during your stay. A large One Duval breakfast, for example, features coconut pancakes; don’t pass on the fish tacos for lunch; for dinner, Chef Manso’s Blackened Grouper with blue crab and sun-dried tomato cream sauce is a delicious, white and flaky, top seller.

And for those who want beef, don’t pass on the filet mignon with a side of lobster mac and cheese.

“Key West cuisine is kind of like a melting pot of the Caribbean,’’ Manso said. “We have influences from Puerto Rico… the Bahamas… Jamaica. A lot of the ingredients we use are from all the Caribbean.’’

The description sums up Key West, which is a four-to five-hour drive south of Miami on the Overseas HIghway.  Along the way, there is plenty to see and do – from snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo to visiting the sea turtle hospital in Marathon.

The best, however, is at the end – at One Duval Street – where Pier House Resort & Spa makes a visit to the Conch Republic as easy and flavorful as a piece of Key Lime Pie.

Photo Courtesy of Pier House Resort & Spa

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“This marks a pivotal moment in the brand’s history as we announce our first Iconic Luxury Hotel in the United States,” says Andrew Stembridge, Executive Director of Iconic Luxury Hotels.

Established in December 2016, Iconic Luxury Hotels operates under L+R Hotels, a family-owned, worldwide hotel investment and management company that oversees a portfolio of more than 105 hotels with around 21,000 guestrooms. Each property boasts unique architecture, cultural positioning, character, traditions, and stories while maintaining a shared dedication to providing exceptional experiences.

“This is an exciting step for L+R Hotels as we continue to grow our Iconic Luxury Hotels portfolio internationally,” says Francisco Macedo, Senior Vice President of Iconic Luxury Hotels.

The current hotel portfolio for ILH includes some of the most renowned establishments worldwide. These range from Cliveden House, a prominent English country estate, to Italy’s Hotel Excelsior, the Venice International Film Festival venue. In the UK, the collection features Chewton Glen, an estate on the South Coast; The Lygon Arms, a 14th-century Coaching Inn in the Cotswolds; 11 Cadogan Gardens in Chelsea, located in one of London’s most prestigious residential neighborhoods; The Mayfair Townhouse, situated in the heart of the exclusive Mayfair district; and The Chelsea Townhouse, which opened in September 2023 just across the road from 11 Cadogan Gardens. Palm House is its first property in the U.S.

The post Luxury Hotel Plans to Open in Palm Beach This November appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

The Twilight Tee Time Package is available for double occupancy through Sept. 30, starting at $360 daily. The package incorporates a $25 breakfast credit for up to two registered guests, amounting to $50 in daily credit. Moreover, guests can take advantage of complimentary self-parking for one vehicle and complimentary early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability.

The six new dining concepts introduce three distinctive restaurants: The Butcher’s Club, helmed by “Top Chef” winner Jeremy Ford, and Honeybelle, showcasing seasonal American cuisine by Chef Lindsay Autry, a multiple James Beard Award nominee. Additionally, Sushi by Bou, a contemporary speakeasy-inspired culinary concept renowned for reinventing the omakase experience, is the latest addition at PGA National Resort. For a retro-Americana dining experience, Birdie’s Diner offers nostalgic diner favorites with an upscale twist, conveniently located right on the first hole, allowing diners to observe players out on the fairway.

The newly reimagined and redesigned Spa at PGA National Resort, led by V Starr, a prominent South Florida design firm established by tennis icon Venus Williams, spans 40,000 square feet of tranquility and wellness. This serene sanctuary provides an idyllic retreat for relaxation, healing, and rejuvenation through personalized holistic care. The Spa’s enhanced menu now includes therapeutic recovery and restorative treatments, such as acupuncture, acupressure and cupping.

The Himalayan Salt Rooms and Waters of the World feature therapeutic outdoor mineral pools that harness salts imported from the healing waters of the Dead Sea in Israel and France’s Salies-de-Béarn, providing a serene sanctuary for rejuvenation before and after spa services. All spa treatments are designed to cultivate equilibrium, tranquility, and an overall sense of well-being. Groom Guy offers men exceptional grooming services, encompassing fresh haircuts, clean shaves, beard trimming, and personalized styling by experienced barbers to ensure they look their best both on and off the course.

PGA National Resort has collaborated with BLADE to establish itself as the leading luxury hotel and resort partner in the Palm Beaches, aiming to enhance travel convenience. With BLADE’s cutting-edge fleet of helicopters, seaplanes, aircraft, and jets, guests and members can seamlessly travel between the resort’s private helipad and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA). Additionally, BLADEone, a by-the-seat commercial-sized jet from New York, offers a private jet interior, caviar service and BLADE’s SkyFX staff.

For more information about PGA National Resort, visit http://www.pgaresort.com or call 800.863.2819. 

Main photo credit: Will Pryce

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AC Hotel By Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach

3029 Alhambra Street, Fort Lauderdale

marriott.com

(954) 356-7900

Summer wow: You don’t need that expensive flight to Europe. This Fort Lauderdale Beach hotspot unexpectedly is loaded with oodles of European flair at a singular address.

Among its touches is a daily European-inspired breakfast buffet with croissants from France and fresh slices of prosciutto. Its AC Lounge is typically bumpin’ on the libations front, serving up shareable Spanish tapas and signature cocktails aplenty.

No summer staycation at these South Florida hotels is complete without a bit of water action. In addition to Fort Lauderdale Beach’s majestic white sands and oft-tranquil waves, this spot has a fourth-floor pool and bar for making a splash.

Pro tip: Take advantage of everything included in its daily destination fee, including a $25 food and beverage credit, a daily fitness class, two beach chairs and a two-hour bike rental.

If you somehow get bored with this activity, some of Fort Lauderdale beach’s most iconic bars—Elbo Room, Rock Bar and more—are within a five-minute stroll south.

Isn’t that special: Summer savings may be available on select nights through September 30 using the code ZJL for online bookings. The property also offers regular savings for AAA members and those staying for five or more nights.

Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale

525 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

fourseasons.com/fortlauderdale

(754) 336-3100

Summer wow: The Four Seasons is calling, so pick up the phone and treat yourself this summer. One of the newer South Florida hotels on Fort Lauderdale Beach, this is a hotel-residential hybrid offering 189 rooms.

The property opened in 2022 and was designed by Kobi Karp. Inside, it’s a classic yacht club-inspired utopia. The water lifestyle abounds from its 22-story façade —reminiscent of a yacht’s design—to its contemporary lobby.

For soaking up the South Florida sun, the Four Seasons has two horizon-edge pools, each surrounded by daybeds and boasting Atlantic vistas.

When you want a reprieve from the summer heat, its spa is an intimate oasis. It has six treatment rooms and an overarching experience inspired by the movement of water, specifically Fort Lauderdale’s iconic canals. Its spa lounges are as relaxed as it gets, equipped with ice fountains, aroma steam baths, and salt saunas.

Don’t miss its signature restaurant, MAASS, by Michelin-starred chef Ryan Ratino, which is considered a culinary game changer for the city.

Isn’t that special: Keep an eye on the Four Seasons website for “Value Dates,” which have lower-than-usual rates. Additionally, the property offers a third night for select stays for free when you purchase a two-night stay. Florida residents also get a special rate—you’ll have to call their reservation line for that scoop.

Ocean Key Resort & Spa

0 Duval Street, Key West

oceankey.com

(305) 809-8072

Summer wow: With a Duval Street address, it’s one thing. Throw a zero in front of said street and you know you’ve reached somewhere special.

Ocean Key Resort & Spa is tucked at the north end of Key West’s main drag, overlooking Sunset Key and Wisteria Island. Mallory Square is its southern neighbor, and there’s a daily sunset celebration with magicians, jugglers, and more.

The fun vibe continues on-property, which is truly a convenient-meets-tranquil oasis. At Ocean Key, you can ball out in the resort’s recently reimagined penthouse suite, the Flamingo Royale Suite, which includes a “tropical camp” vibe and an oceanfront balcony with Key West Harbor and ocean vistas.

If a penthouse isn’t in the works, there are 100 rooms and suites to choose from. Musts include dining at the on-property restaurant Hot Tin Roof, which dishes up conch-fusion delicacies and treatment at the lux SpaTerre.

Isn’t that special: The resort is offering two summer specials. The first—“Stay, Swim and Save!”—includes two cocktails per room daily and a 15 percent off bonus with a minimum two-night stay. The Romance in Paradise package includes oceanfront accommodations, $200 in total credits to the spa and restaurants each day and a champagne welcome.

W Fort Lauderdale

401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

marriott.com

(954) 414-8200

Summer wow: You can’t spell wow without W. In this W’s case, it delivers all the wow all year long. But the summer is special as its Insta-worthy rooftop poolscape, WET, particularly comes alive. It’s on the fifth floor and includes panoramic vistas of Fort Lauderdale Beach below—swoon. Also, on-property and always hoppin’ is its signature Living Room communal space, where there’s often a DJ spinning.

For pampering, its AWAY Spa is bright with pops of neon colors here and there. For the active crowd, a stay at the W includes access to its 24-hour FIT gym, beach fitness classes and free cruiser bicycle rentals. Once you sweat it out, there are reserved beach chairs and umbrellas oceanside with your name on them.

The culinary scene at The W is among the best among South Florida hotels, with Steak 954 as its undeniable anchor. Beyond prime cuts, its cheesesteak (made with wagyu and truffle-infused cheese wiz) is wild. El Vez—boasting a patio with unobstructed ocean vistas—is stellar for unwinding with a margarita or three.

Isn’t that special: Keep an eye on W’s website for its ever-poppy specials, spanning a VIP Pink Paradise Barbie-core poolside package with a Barbie-inspired box for photo ops to Bark & Bougie amenities for four-legged friends, which includes a pet-sized lounger for Fido. For a daycation, the property offers day passes for folks to enjoy the pool and more on-site.

The post Escape Long-Distance Travel Woes With Luxurious Getaways at These South Florida Hotels appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

Lifestyle Group Editor-in-Chief Kevin Gale got the lowdown about the ship from Ken Muskat, Managing Director Scenic Group USA | Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours | Emerald Cruises, who works with his team in Hollywood.

The Emerald Kaia ship is already generating a buzz, so it’s not too soon to think about booking trips for its inaugural season before prices increase.

Emerald’s success with existing ships has been attracting younger, working-age cruisers beyond the stereotype of retired travelers, Muskat says. They want to be active, get social and enjoy the unique destinations and experiences that Emerald offers.

“We all saw what happened during COVID and nobody wants to be locked away again and told that they can’t go somewhere,” Muskat says. “So, people are taking advantage of these opportunities now to get out there.”

Here is a transcript of the interview with Muskat, which has been edited for clarity and brevity.

You really seem to be aiming for the best experience in cruising.

We’re very, very excited about the launch of Kaia because she joins her two sister ships, Azzurra and Sakara, in what we believe is truly a class of their own. There’s really nothing else out there like it for the consumer to be able to book that is ultra luxury. In this case, 128 guests and the guest-to-crew ratio is nearly one-to-one, with 92 crew.

But most importantly, any other small ships are typically older ships, whereas ours are brand new. They started coming out in 2022 and 2023 and Kaia debuts in 2026. So, that brings this next generation of ultra luxury ships to a whole ‘nother level.

We’re also very excited about the fact that we’ve made a number of enhancements to her versus her sister ships.

We’ve made a 50 percent size expansion on the wellness area and the spa area in the main deck. We’ve increased the ceiling height up to 10 feet. So, a lot of people think some of these smaller luxury ships feel small when, in reality, the beauty about the Emerald superyachts is that they really feel big when you’re inside — high ceilings, all windows, big open suites, big open lounge areas. You really feel like you get the benefits of a beautiful big cruise ship in a very small, ultra-luxury superyacht that almost feels like it’s completely private, all for yourself. We made a number of other enhancements, including the culinary aspects. Of course, the benefit of these ships is they get to go to unique ports that larger ships can’t go to, which really brings you the exclusivity and the uniqueness of them. We don’t really believe there is competition in this area.

The chairman and founder of Scenic, Glen Moroney, says that the Kaia builds on the strength of the Sakara and the Azzurra. Talk about that evolution.

We’re always listening to guest feedback. In the cruise industry, you build one ship and then you learn what things you could do better or improve upon.  We really pushed the design elements as it relates to taking advantage of all spaces onboard the ship. This ship is a little bit longer, a little bit wider, and it allows us to do some unique things. We bring more space to accommodations, 50 percent larger health, wellness and spa areas, unique features like the expanded Sky Deck and the innovative Marina Deck. The observation Sun Deck is absolutely incredible and there are some new culinary experiences, including the New Night Market Grill, which the other ships don’t have.

I like how The Sky Deck and the Sky Lounge meld the outside and the inside.

This is a central focal point for daytime and nighttime activity. A lot of it during the daytime is just around rest and relaxation and enjoying the environment, enjoying the sea; at nighttime, it becomes a major entertainment hub where you could watch the sunset and have drinks and enjoy the entertainment. One of the things that we’re really excited about is the integration of the indoor and outdoor. We like people to still feel very connected with the sea when they’re outside. You are on a superyacht sailing in some of the most unique beautiful locations in the world. To have this ability to be inside and have the luxury lounge experience and the bar experience, just step a few steps away and have this outside area with the lounge chairs and the Jacuzzi area and the entertainment that we have up there really brings that connection to the sea. It allows us to work in all-weather environments and allows us to offer the luxury experience inside and then more of a casual and lounge-y and ocean experience on the outside. It’s the best of both worlds.

I did some research on the meaning of Kaia and found it had the meaning of pure life, in the sea. How was the name selected?

The name of the ship usually comes from our owner, Glen, and his wife, Karen. It means exactly that: pure life, the sea. It’s also walking away with extraordinary memories that we provide. It is a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is a pure experience. You’re connected with the sea and you’re going to walk away with memories that are like nothing you’ve ever had before.

Talk about the all-inclusive aspect of the Kaia.

We include everything from airport transfers, breakfast, lunch and dinner on board. The Night Market Grill is a little bit extra for a nominal fee because it only holds eight people, but it is an incredible alternative. The drink packages are new for us to be all inclusive. Drinks include a selection of wine, beer, cocktails, sparkling wine, soft drinks, juices and the mini bar. We also have state-of-the-art coffee machines and tea stations around the ship. Because we’re focused on sustainability, we’ve got our thermos that we provide in every suite that you can refill with water, in lieu of plastic and single-use bottles

We also include the excursions with very knowledgeable guides, complimentary high-speed WiFi via Starlink, gratuities and the Go Cycle electric bikes on board. So, not included are spa treatments or if you want to really upgrade to a significantly expensive wine or alcohol. We like the ability for people to come on board and not have to think about anything and not have to put down their card every time they want to get a drink.

What sort of pampering can your guests expect?

For a lot of people, pampering means just leave me alone in my cabana up on the top deck, let me feel like this is my own luxury superyacht and bring me a drink every 15 minutes. For other people, it’s all around the actual amenities on board. The pampering also just comes from the outstanding service our crew provides. There is crew everywhere taking care of you to the extent that you want to be taken care of.

We have stateroom attendants for all of the suites that everybody can easily get in touch with to get anything done. We have a concierge in the main lounge area who can take care of anything for you. We also have great interactive TV on board in the suites. With only 128 guests, there’s never a line, never a time that you’re on hold on the phone. It’s super personable and super easy to get whatever you need.

What’s behind making the wellness space 50 percent bigger? 

We know people like to indulge on our cruises and relax and enjoy the culinary experience and the beverage experience and all the destinations we go to, but we also know that they want to have that balance with wellness. So, it’s important for us to build facilities that can give them that balance. Our spa will have a KLAFS Infrared Sauna, as well as larger spa treatment rooms for the gym. We’ve redesigned the entire look and feel of the gym. We’re going to offer this ability to connect with the outdoors with a new indoor/outdoor workout space. When the ship is not in motion, the watertight door will open to create an open platform that allows you to go on the platform and do yoga or Pilates or stretching. When you’re done with that, you can easily just jump right in the water. We also took the spa and gym area and connected it with the new indoor lounge of the marina and the outdoor marina. It’s really a great, great setup.

The state room sizes seem to be bigger as well.

The nice thing about this ship is she is slightly larger than her sister ships, which allows us more space to play with. The suites are about a 10 percent larger floor plan than what we have on some of the other ships. This really allows extra comfort in both the bedroom, the bathrooms and more amenities. The lowest cost balcony suites are 332 square feet, which is a very nice size. The owner suite features a Jacuzzi and measures up to 1,200 square feet. We’ve got a number of different categories in between. Because our ships are brand new versus the competition in this size, this allows us to say we have some of the largest suites at sea.

What will the dining area designs and cuisine be like?

La Cucina and the Night Market Grill offer unique dining experiences that focus on high-end regional cuisine. La Cucina, which is the main area, will have an open galley design. Our guests love to see the chefs cooking. The Night Market, which is sort of attached to La Cucina, is an eight- person venue. It will provide an Asian-inspired dining experience showcasing fresh and exotic flavors. Both venues are designed to foster a sense of community and delight with the senses.

You do build a great sense of community with everybody on board. You will really enjoy the culinary experience with different menus every night, different experiences. We also have the alfresco light refreshments up where the pool is, available breakfast, lunch and dinner

How do reservations work at the restaurant?

We’ve got open dining times and you can come in whenever you want. We do recommend reservations, especially for larger groups just to make sure that we can get you in at the appropriate time. The Night Market Grill does require reservations, which can be coordinated onboard.

What’s the dress expectation?

Very comfortable. We have people who dress in a sort of country club, comfortable attire day and night, while some people choose to get a little bit more dressed up, but we are by no means formal.

What areas of the ship are designed for entertainment and having cocktails?

There’s all these little nooks and crannies where you can enjoy a drink and be perfectly relaxed, but some of the bigger areas are the Sky Bar and Spa Pool on the Sky Deck. These are great for enjoying the daytime experience and the sunset and the cabanas that we have up there with a cocktail. We also have the Marina Lounge and the Observation Sun Deck. The Observation Sun Deck on this ship particularly is a whole new concept and is really going to be a great outdoor lounge space area day and night, especially when you’re seeing the sun go down, for drinks and lounging around and enjoying your fellow guests. We also have the indoor main lobby lounge where we’ve got a beautiful bar and we do a lot of nighttime entertainment there, activities and games. That’s where you’ll usually find a guitar player or somebody who may be singing and providing some entertainment. We also do that up on the Skybar and Sky Pool.

The marina really seems like it connects guests to the water. The slide looks like you just plunge right into the sea.

The marina is an area that you can go to whenever the ship is anchored out at sea — that’s when all the water sports are available. We did add this slide, so that’s one of those enhancements that guests were asking for and we wanted to provide this incredible slide that goes from deck three all the way right into the water. But we also have a number of other water toys including NautiBoys inflatable platforms, trampoline floats, Seabobs, paddleboards and kayaks. Seabobs are super adventurous, battery-operated and you can dive down into the water and pop back up and go as fast as you want to go.

A lot of the big ships have to go into big ports that may not have the best water quality. Sounds like the Marina experience offers not only great views, but great water quality.

Absolutely, a hundred percent. You’re going to places like St. Bart’s and Jost Van Dyke [an island in the British Virgin Islands] and some unique ports in Puerto Rico that most people have never heard of. The water is unbelievably clear and beautiful. Kaia is going to the Seychelles, so you can only imagine what the water’s like there. So, the ability to use these water sports and these places that are very much untouched, that big ships cannot get to, is a whole other aspect of the beauty. You go out there in a kayak, sit there for a second, look at the ship and the surroundings and it’s just breathtaking.

Tell us about the sun deck.

The new observation sun deck on the bow is beautifully designed. This is a space that we took full advantage of that we hadn’t taken full advantage of on the previous ships.  Because of the way the ship is built, it offered a whole new space for us to have lounge chairs. We’ll have umbrellas when the ship’s not moving to protect from the sun, tables, chairs and a relaxation area. It’s great for groups to get together. It’s great for cocktail parties, great to just hang out and read a book. It’s super tranquil and relaxing. These ships do really, really well with groups, families and some larger parties. The types of furniture that we’re going to be using is just over the top comfortable and relaxing with the best views you’re going to see anywhere.

Do you have a differentiation on your land excursions?

They’re all very unique and immersive. We have Emerald Plus and Emerald Active programs and you can enjoy activities that go off the beaten path, such as guided hikes, bike rides and cultural experiences. They’re all led by very knowledgeable local guides who provide amazing insights on the destination, the history of the destination and what you’re seeing, so you’ve got a fulfilling, enriching experience. You’ve got the ability to go off on your own if you want, and you also have the ability to do some very incredible shore excursions that teach you quite a bit about where you are. These can be as active or as passive as you want them to be.

What are some of the initial destinations?

She’s going to begin her superyacht experience in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic. 2026/2027 sailings include Greece, Italy, Croatia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Seychelles. We’ve also added new itinerary options, including a new seven-night round trip to Venice, a seven-night to Istanbul and an Istanbul to Paros [an Agean Sea island] option and new voyages sailing to Malta.

What sort of feedback and buzz are you getting, including bookings?

We announced this a few months ago and immediately the response from our travel agent partners was incredibly strong. They’re very familiar with the Emerald Cruises brand and love it. They were super excited to see Kaia and now take it to the next level. Our guests that have sailed with us on Emerald cruises, especially those that have sailed on Azzurra and Sakara, gave us excellent feedback and immediately started booking. So, the demand has been exciting and strong.

Can you give our readers an idea of what it costs to sail the Kaia and are there some specials?

Pricing always fluctuates based on time of year, destination and supply and demand. Pricing for the eight-day Tropical Charms of the Seychelles itinerary is beginning at $5,055 per person and from $8,400 for the 13-day itinerary in the Seychelles.

We do offer regularly two-for-one fares plus up to $3,000 in flex credit, which means $3,000 that you can use either towards a discount off the cruise price or you can put that towards air to get all-inclusive air.

Now is the best time to book because the farther out you book, the better. Prices will be going up. I highly encourage guests to talk to their travel advisor or get onto our websites to see the latest promotions, which we will have for Black Friday and Cyber Week.

Go to emeraldcruises.com, sign up for the newsletter and you’ll get any of our offers, any of our promotions, all of our emails with the latest and greatest information.

Are all your cabins double occupancy or do you have singles?

They are all double occupancy. We do have promotions that allow for singles to come without having to pay 200 percent. In more cases you may pay 145 percent or 150 percent so you get a discount.

The post Emerald Kaia Introduces Exciting New Features to Enhance the Luxury Superyacht Experience appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

“I think we check all of the boxes that we’ve been trying to check,’’ said Brian Conley, general manager of The Park West Palm Beach. 

Let’s take a look:

An outstanding Gil Hanse/Jim Wagner/Dirk Ziff designed course? Check.

One of South Florida’s top public course practice facilities? Check

A dynamic youth golf program? Check

Lighted par-3 course? Check

Caddy program? Check

12-minute tee times? Check

Food and beverage options? Check

Easy access to all areas of Palm Beach County? Check

Hanse and his team pay homage to golf’s “golden age’’ of design – with a good amount of Australian Sandbelt tossed in, particularly on the par-3, 11th hole, where sand protects the green on all sides except in the front, thus allowing players who miss short the opportunity to play the ball on the ground to get on the green.

Many of the green complexes at The Park have that “low mow’’ design that gives players the option playing the ball on the ground or in the air.

“We do not have a water hazard features anywhere,’’ Conley said. “A lot of the inspiration did come from the Sandbelt. When the ball can be advanced and played on the ground, the game is more enjoyable. And it’s faster.’’

Those “low mow’’ areas, along with 12-minute tee times, help explain the 41,000 rounds played in The Park’s first year.

Located on the footprint of the original West Palm Beach Golf Course, The Park West Palm Beach is a $55 million project funded by individual donations, including Tiger Woods. Former PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh was a vocal proponent of the project. The PGA itself is not involved in The Park, although its South Florida Section headquarters is located on the property. 

It can be argued that The Park’s business roots go back to 1990 and original concept for Emerald Dunes. Located only a few miles to the west, Emerald Dunes, designed by Tom Fazio, was born with great fanfare. One, it was marketed as the 1,000th golf course in Florida; and two, it was supposed to be at the vanguard of a state and national boom in high-end, daily fee golf.

That boom was a bust.  But is The Park West Palm a reincaraation of that five-decades old idea? Maybe. But it’s better armed, better planned and better at owning its identity.

“We’re still very much a new business and new golf course,’’ Conley said. “There is a learning curve we all have encountered. We came out of the ground from a high-end, daily fee perspective, but there’s a learning curve in educating people as to what that is and what it looks like.

“But even the things that haven’t progressed as fast as we’d like are trending in the right direction. So, in some instances, we’ve surpassed expectations and in other ways, we’re still learning.’’

In a way, learning is what The Park is all about. Whether that’s learning to play the game for the first time, learning the importance of being custom-fit for clubs, or even learning how to take a lesson, The Park is proving to be a template for one way (or many ways) to grow the game.

“We’re really one of one,’’ Conley said.  “Is it important for others to follow? Not necessarily. Is there an opportunity for others to follow? Sure, but it’s not a necessity.

“Golf can be consumed in all kinds of different manners. Here at The Park – whether it’s an outing on the par-3 course or playing the Hanse course, we want people to have fun.’’

The post The Park West Palm: Where Classic Golf Meets Modern Business Practices appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

“We are thrilled about the expansion of the Princess fleet and know that homeporting Sun Princess in Fort Lauderdale offers a convenient option for guests to explore the most elevated experience ever from the Love Boat,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. “The warmth, pristine beauty, and crystal-clear waters found throughout the Caribbean form an idyllic backdrop for our iconic new ship and create the perfect setting for Princess guests to enjoy the stunning views and playful adventure that are magnified on this beautiful, iconic new ship.”

On Sun Princess’ Caribbean cruises, travelers can enjoy a perfect blend of exploring stunning Caribbean islands and indulging in serene days at sea. While aboard, passengers can savor mesmerizing entertainment in contemporary settings, unwind in expansive areas with stunning vistas, and visit the cruise line’s largest-ever casino. Notable features of Sun Princess’ Caribbean season include:

• 5-day Caribbean Getaway kicks off the Caribbean season with visits to Amber Cove and Grand Turk.
• 7-day Eastern Caribbean with St. Thomas, including a late night in San Juan and a visit to our private island resort, Princess Cays
• 7-day Eastern Caribbean with Bahamas visiting Amber Cove, Grand Turk and a visit to our private island resort Princess Cays
• 7-day Western Caribbean with Mexico, including stops in Cozumel, Belize City and Roatan
• Combine the 7-day Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean for the ultimate 14-day Caribbean East/West Adventurer.

Sun Princess is set to unveil a wide range of new dining, entertainment, and activity choices, in addition to luxurious staterooms and suites spanning various categories. Travelers will relish the plentiful balconies, providing stunning vistas of the Caribbean’s sunshine and crystal-clear waters from their accommodations. The Dome, a cutting-edge entertainment area inspired by Santorini’s terraces, offers the perfect atmosphere for relaxation, while the three-story Horizons Dining Room will surely capture the attention of all passengers on board.

For more information, visit www.princess.com/sunprincess.

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