Tag Archives: fitness

Hidden Calm at Bonaventure Resort & Spa, Weston, Florida

Hotel Reviews, Travel Journal/Blog, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Garden at Bonaventure Resort & Spa

A Hotel Review

The glitz and glam of Miami’s South Beach don’t jive with my style, but the lush tropical foliage and clean chic decor at Bonaventure Resort & Spa sure do. The hotel felt like a shimmering green oasis, distant from city and suburbia. The minute my husband and I arrived I kicked off my shoes and put my feet up, basking in warm afternoon sun on our private patio. Don’t know why, but the heated glow sure feels therapeutic.

I peeked into the Elizabeth Arden red door spa, wishing I had time for a treatment.  When I saw the yoga room I was ready drop into a down dog pose.  The room was built from honey-colored wood with a window at one end overlooking a garden waterfall.  Totally zen.  Next door was the most fab red leather Pilates Studio I’ve ever seen.

Pilates room in red door lifestyle spa

This being South Florida, a stop at the outdoor bar for a mojito was in order. My husband joined me and we moved inside to dine. On the way back to our room, I snapped this photo of the illuminated water.

Illuminated pool

The Suite

In our suite we enjoyed a kingsize bedroom, full kitchen and living room hiding the flat screen TV in a decorative armoire.  The lavish bathroom was about the size of most European hotel rooms.  Cinnamon colored marble and tile filled the space offering a private toilet and bidet, separate shower and tub, plus a spacious room-for-two sink area.  We slept well amid a bounty of pillows and fine Egyptian cotton sheets.

British colonial style bedroom

After a breakfast buffet including made-to-order eggs, we were off for Key West. The first night on the road, a relaxing interlude away from work and the busy world.  I recommend skipping the fast-paced Miami scene and choosing to stay in the serene Bonaventure.

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If you go:  The AAA-rated Four Diamond hotel is located 15 miles from the Fort Lauderdale International Airport off Interstate 75.  The Conference Center offers over 60,000 square feet of meeting place within the 23-acre certified Green Lodging property.  In addition to the spa, guests have access to first-rate tennis and championship golf facilities.

Bonaventure Resort & Spa

250 Racquet Club Road, Weston, Florida  33326

954-616-1234/ 800 327-8090

Website: http://www.bonaventureresortandspa.com/

The River Run Weekend: Flying High to Lying Low

Travel Journal/Blog, , , , , , , ,

River Run medal
Gate River Run Medal

Mimi didn’t plan to enter the Jacksonville Gate River Run–a 15K race that winds across 2 bridges, the downtown business district, Sports complex and residential neighborhoods.

I thought I was done competing and certainly wasn’t training. Currently my exercise consists of walking and attending yoga class.

But Judy, my former marathon buddy, was in town and asked me to join her.  Seems her training ran amuck; so we agreed to take our time and simply finish the event.

Race morning surfaced foggy and overcast, perfect conditions to prevent overheating, something I struggled with in the past. Judy and I jogged across the starting line (to look good on the live broadcast) but then walked as fast as possible.

We astounded ourselves, keeping under a 15-minute-mile pace the entire 9.3 mile course.  We talked our way through the route, amongst a crowd of 13,000 participants and honestly had fun.  We still finished with a decent time.  And we gloated.

The next morning, I groaned.  I was struck down, not so much from sore muscles, but with the flu bug, the one that’s hitting everyone.  I spent the day in bed, which other than feeling crummy, wasn’t too bad.