Hyatt Bonaventure Thinks Corporate Meeting-Goers Deserve Massages And MeditationA new look in conference hotels: give them tennis and golf, but also a spaBy Lucy KomisarCompanies that book hotels for conferences anywhere near an ocean want to keep their employees from playing truant at the beach. At the same time, folks doing brainwork in the auditoriums and “breakout” rooms need to soften the muscles that get tight during meetings. And they need surroundings that make them feel good, even pampered.
More traditional diversions are close by. Across the stream edging the 23-acre property is one of two 18-hole PGA championship golf courses, and a five minute drive away are 15 clay tennis courts. I wasn’t attending a conference, but I found the Bonaventure a convenient, relaxing place to stop for anyone driving between tourist cities. We were going from Orlando to Key West, and it was near midway, 220 miles from Florida’s fantasy center, 176 miles to its southern-most point. The hotel has the familiar air of a place aimed at soigné travelers who want to be surrounded by elegance.
The balcony, where we had breakfast and sunset
drinks, looked through tall palms to one of the four pools, a beauty with a
waterfall at one sculpted corner.
However, my predilection is for active sports, and I was delighted to discover the Weston Tennis Center, owned by the city and run by the company of tennis pro, Cliff Drysdale. The courts are perfectly maintained green clay, with cold water dispensers between every two courts, the mark of attentive management. I was sorry to miss the morning clinic that I discovered as I walked to my court. Next time! If you go Hyatt Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa Red Door Lifestyle Spa
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The
Closer
to home, the hotel’s 24-hour fitness center attached to the new Elizabeth Arden
Red Door Lifestyle Spa is ready to soothe both body and soul. The fitness center
has the usual machines and weights, “movement” and Pilates studios, sauna and
steam rooms. The spa offers 30 treatment rooms – with names like “meditation” --
for various kinds of massage. As this is a “destination” and not a “day” spa,
people can book regimes lasting a week. I loved the calming tea-room.
There
are 501 guestrooms and suites decorated in a classic British Colonial style.
Ours was a gorgeous apartment in dark woods. The large living-dining room had a
tall palm plant in the corner, a round wood table and chairs, and a kitchenette
with a marble counter, stove with top burners, microwave and fridge.
The
bedroom featured a king-size bed, a chaise, a desk and a Japanese-style
miniature tree. The flat screen TV had a keyboard to get on internet. (The
business center also has computer terminals with internet access.) The
over-sized bathroom even had a digital scale.
As
the winter day was in the 70s – perfect golf and tennis weather, but too cool
for swimming, I thought -- we were glad to soak in the Jacuzzi.
Weston
Tennis Center