The Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach has created a way to combine guests' passion for deep-sea fishing and fine dining. The hotel arranges daylong fishing charters for up to four people. The hotel's WHAT IT COSTSGuestsCost Per
Person1$2,0002$1,0003$7504$625executive chef, Hubert Des Marais, an avid fisherman himself, accompanies the group and provides food, champagne, fishing tips and even some good "fish stories." The catch of the day, which can range from grouper to sailfish, wahoo, mahi mahi, tuna or snapper, is brought back to the hotel, where the group can choose how it's prepared, get a VIP tour of the kitchen and a glass of champagne.
"I've never had a trip where nobody caught anything," says Des Marais, who notes that the trips are popular gifts for husbands or boyfriends.
A GETAWAY WITHOUT GETTING AWAY
CANYON RANCH LIVINGUnit
(Condo-Hotel)Starting Price1 bedroom$525,0002 bedrooms$655,000Unit
(Residence)Starting Price1 bedroom$400,0002 bedrooms$550,0003 bedrooms$1.9 millionMiami will have only the third luxury Canyon Ranch spa in the U.S. -- the others are in Tucson, Ariz., and the Berkshires in Lenox, Mass. But it will be the first to offer a residential component: 151 condo-hotel units and 467 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences. The development will also include a state-of-the-art health and healing center and cafe, as well as a 60,000-sq.-ft. fitness center and 750 feet of oceanfront beach.
The project will be built on the site of the Carillon Hotel on Ocean Drive. The 1950s hotel will be restored and preserved as part of the project, slated for a 2005 opening. The sales office opened in November.
COMING SOON
The Bentley Beach Hotel is scheduled to open in the exclusive "SoFi" (South of Fifth) section of South Beach in February. The European-style boutique hotel will have 109 suites catering to those in search of R&R as well as those looking for a different kind of business travel accommodation. The hotel will also house The Caroli Health Club & Spa by Angelo Caroli from Milan and the Rocco Donna Hair Salon, owned by celebrity stylist Leonardo Rocco from Argentina.
The Hotel Victor, Hyatt's foray into South Beach chic, is opening next spring across from the famed Versace mansion. The hotel, which is owned by ZOM Development and will be managed by Hyatt, will be the smallest of Hyatt's domestic properties, with only 91 rooms and suites. It aims to offer such amenities as outdoor rain showers in some rooms and a Turkish bath in its health club.
GOLF, ANYONE?
Ladies Fore Golf, a Virginia-based recreation firm focusing on bringing more women onto the golf course, is holding its inaugural event next month at the Amelia Island Plantation resort and spa. The three-day package includes golf instruction, course play, spa time, a cocktail party, seminars and networking opportunities for women executives. More Florida events are in the works, says owner Donna Craig. Total cost: $345. ... Kolter Resorts at the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie caters to executives and their families with off-season specials and $15-a-day access to the PGA Learning Center, which offers a variety of private and group lessons. PGA professionals are on hand for free clinics several days a week.
CORPORATE R&R
Event planner Martling & Co. adds a unique twist to corporate retreats, including executive coaching and team building exercises as well as fine dining and cultural experiences like a private exhibit of Piaget jewels.
The company organizes accommodations only in high-end, unique boutique hotels and plans gourmet-dining experiences at some of the finest restaurants.
Owner Carol Martling wants the events to be as much about getting away as about business. She spent 20 years in sales and marketing enduring bland corporate retreats and thinks adding a cultural element enhances the getaway.
Martling's Miami-based company focuses only on three cities it considers "architecturally significant": Charleston, S.C.; Savannah, Ga.; and Miami.