Park & Play

Most vacations are about getting away and doing it all-hitting the area restaurants, theme parks, and shops-but what if all your entertainment needs are in one place?

‘An Ideal Urban Escape’
The InterContinental, Tampa, Florida

When was the last time you really enjoyed every aspect of your hotel room? How does a large plasma flat-screen TV sound? How about exceptional turndown service, an iPod docking station, and luxurious bedding?

Well, the InterContinental in Tampa is the hotel you’ll request whenever you’re in the neighborhood. Occupying a prime corner just five miles from downtown and near the flight path for the Tampa International Airport, this is a place that targets the business flier throughout the week. On the weekend, however, it becomes an ideal urban escape.

Arrive early to dive into the rooftop pool, which offers a dramatic view of the water and a cool glimpse at the planes as they queue up for landing. Then enjoy a room service meal under the extravagant covers as you snuggle in to watch a recent blockbuster.

Dinner on site has to be part of the plan. Be sure to book a table at Shula’s Steak House, a fine dining experience that boasts custom center cuts of premium Black Angus beef, fresh Florida seafood, and an impressive wine list. My 12-ounce filet was perfectly cooked throughout with a crispy, seared exterior that offered a nice crunch to each bite. Savor each course, split the generous side dishes, and make this a dinner to remember.

Then, blissfully satisfied, return to your room and peel back the curtains for a Van Gogh-like presentation of Tampa’s own starry, starry night.

‘A Haven For Genteel Southerners’
Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia

This nature-filled retreat in western Georgia has been a haven for genteel Southerners for more than half a century. One visit and you’ll know why.

The large estate has many accommodations from which to choose, but the best bet is a lodge guest room or a fully appointed cabin. Both options are at the center of all the action—the golf courses, bike trails, spa, and restaurants. My recommendation is that you plan to bike everywhere since practically everything is clustered within a short ride. Another tip: pack your own wheels because the on-site rentals are a bit pricey.

If golf’s your thing, then you came to the epicenter of the sport. Founder Cason Callaway believed that playing golf should be “a pleasant experience in beautiful surroundings.” He’s obviously never seen my game. Choose from several course options that will challenge the competitor and reward the enthusiast.

As you bike throughout the grounds, many detours are worth noting. Start the day early with a generous breakfast buffet at the Piedmont Dining Room and then head to the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel, which is nestled in a hammock of trees. The stunning stained glass and the tranquility of the nearby water will leave an indelible impression. Be sure to pack your camera.

After this Kodak moment, head over to the on-site butterfly garden or continue the bike loop through the grounds. Not only will you witness how perfectly nature’s beauty has been preserved at Callaway Gardens, but you can determine whether or not to book a tennis date, go bass fishing on Mountain Creek Lake, or rent watercraft for an afternoon on the water.

On the other hand, a more leisurely choice can be found at Spa Prunifolia, a recent addition of 13 treatment rooms that pampers guests in comfort and style.

In the evenings, make a reservation for an exquisite meal at The Gardens, the fine dining option that features Georgia-themed entrees, or toast marshmallows in the fire pit outside your cabin and count the stars in the night sky.

‘An Amazing Sunset Over The Dusky Waves’
Hammock Beach Resort, Palm Coast, Florida

We’ve stayed at many nice resorts in Florida, but this gem on the little-known Flagler coastline has quickly become one of my favorites.

Why? The spacious lobby and graceful entrance reminded me of more opulent resorts, the acreage sits just steps from the Atlantic, and the service is first-class, from the porter and the bellman you first meet to the waitress in the coffee bar and the beachside concierge you’ll encounter later in the stay.

What to do? We enjoyed a round on the nine-hole putting course, relaxing massages at the finely appointed spa downstairs, and hours lounging by the many pools. In fact, that became our passion. We would pack a beach bag with sunglasses, a few bestsellers, and an iPod and spend time at each one. My favorite? It’s a toss-up between the heated indoor pool and the lazy river that sprays water around every turn.

We were there for a long weekend and didn’t even get to the golf, tennis, or kayaking opportunities. Next time, I guess.

We did, however, spend hours on the beach, playing Frisbee on the sand, splashing in the waves, and napping under an awning of the resort’s private beach chairs. Afterwards, we dined at the aptly named Atlantic Grille, a beautiful space that overlooks the ocean. Our freshly caught seafood entrees were remarkable, but were ultimately just the opening act for the real headliner to come—an amazing sunset over the dusky waves.

The Seaside Grille, which is ironically not as seaside as the Atlantic Grille, provided another memorable meal, as did the sushi bar on the second floor. In fact, the dining options are a major reason to consider a stay at this particular resort, as they’re all closed to the public.

All in all, I can’t think of a better way to spend a couple of days than in a beach chair at Hammock Beach. We’ll definitely be back soon, and perhaps I’ll even hit the links this time—or I could just float around on the lazy river again.

‘Savannah’s Beach Of Choice’
Tybee Island, Georgia

Savannah is one of the South’s most graceful cities, but she doesn’t have a decent place to frolic in the sand—at least not without ending up like a chapter from Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil. That’s why Tybee Island has been Savannah’s beach of choice for generations.

Of course, like most beach towns, Tybee has a plethora of overnight accommodations within walking distance of the dunes, but since this feature emphasizes the joys of staying put, why not splurge? Our beachside estate was one of Oceanfront Cottage Rental’s “more modest” residences, but it could’ve easily housed another family. In fact, Reservation Manager Paula Vaughan suggested we invite someone at the last minute to enjoy our home for the weekend, Heaven By The Sea, which featured a private, stone-laced pool and an impressive view of the Atlantic.

Again, bikes are a must if you want to sightsee, cruise the beach, or venture to the nearby lighthouse. Many of the rental homes include them in the package.

Our first night at Tybee was one to remember. With a violent storm approaching from the west, we grabbed a quick bite at Marlin Monroe’s Surfside Grill and then retreated to our rental. The quick-moving storm and the resulting lightshow could be seen in all its splendor in the panoramic master suite. We must’ve watched for more than an hour, proof that a great vacation is all a state of mind.

Literally across the street was MacElwee’s Seafood House, a local place that’s been serving the islanders since 1982. My grouper, encrusted with potatoes and accented in an herb crème sauce, was an intriguing combination of flavors, and my wife’s platter of fresh snow crabs was an extremely generous portion so, of course, I had to help her finish! But I’m getting ahead of myself. We started with the well-known Crabby Dip and ended with the sinful Triple Layer Chocolate Cake. MacElwee’s was filling up fast as we finished our last bites.

Another can’t-miss dining option is the aptly named The Breakfast Club near the beachside shopping district. Expect a short wait, especially if you request a counter seat, but this carb-loaded start to the day will be a memorable one.

To watch proprietor Jody Sadowsky flip an omelet as he works the line is worth the price alone. Shouting orders, asking questions of his prep cooks, and chatting up the patrons at the bar, many of whom are obviously regulars, is part of the show since his hands have rehearsed every muscle movement required to prepare the unique dishes thousands of times. What to select? The special is always worth trying, but you can’t go wrong with the plate-sized waffle either.

Besides, you’ll burn it all off playing in the sand and waves later anyway, right?

‘Why Go To A Theme Park?’
Nickelodeon Family Suites, Orlando, Florida

This 24-acre family resort in the heart of Disney World, Universal Studios, and quirky International Drive will have you asking, “Why go to a theme park?”

Of course, with two massive pool complexes, an inside arcade, on-site 4-D movies, and room suites designed with kids in mind, that’s a good question.

The Nickelodeon Family Suites is a completely refurbished Holiday Inn that offers all the fun of the TV channel come to life. Expect character dining, many meet-and-greet opportunities with all the well-known characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora The Explorer, and slime. Lots of slime.

Studio Nick features high-energy shows like the ones on the network, just scaled down for a smaller audience. The show we watched was a competition between two families that involved the audience in 30 minutes of interactive fun.

The food court area has been enhanced significantly since the resort’s opening, which means the grown-ups will find more offerings to their liking. After all, chicken fingers and pizza 24/7 don’t exactly make the dining brochure.

But the real star of the Nickelodeon Family Suites is the outdoor recreation. Our daughter, Allyson, enjoyed the arts-and-crafts station, which is geared to kids of all ages and adjacent to one of the pools. If you get bored going down the slides and shooting the water cannons in one area, not to worry. Pick up your towels and sunscreen and head to the second, even bigger pool for hours more fun. Just be sure to stick around for the twice-daily slime drop!

My suggestion—skip the nearby theme parks and use the savings to create your own family fun at a hotel clearly designed for having a blast, a place where you never have to grow up. Even Peter Pan could agree with that.

Want To Know More?
callawaygardens.com
hammockbeach.com
tybeevisit.com
intercontampa.com
nickhotel.com