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We all live such manic lives these days, don’t we? I know mine seems too hectic sometimes, too full of demands. I love my work and I put in a lot of hours. But to keep on an even keel, I need breaks from time to time. So two days away at a great hotel seemed just the thing.
They were. And those two days were even better because the hotel was so close to my home. We stayed at Gallery One Fort Lauderdale, a recently refurbished Doubletree hotel on the Intracoastal Waterway. Gwendolyn and I found it ideal for our getaway. The lobby is open, leading to the charming bar and restaurant and then continuing outside to the deck, where several tables allow guests to eat and drink by the water. There’s also the mini-beach. No kidding. Gallery One features its own patch of sand spread along the Intracoastal, with oversize lounge chairs that make this a great spot to catch rays, sip margaritas and wave to boaters all at once.
The hotel interior is tastefully minimalist. Common areas have spare modern furniture and artworks. Our suite was large, comfortable and welcoming, with a look that seemed almost Asian in its pretty simplicity. From the orchids in black vases to the abstract paintings to the fully equipped kitchen, this was a hotel room I could easily have settled into for two weeks or more. Both of us felt that way. If only we’d had the time and money.
But the time and money we did spend at Gallery One were good investments in rejuvenation. Our balcony overlooked the waterway and we spent hours relaxing there, watching as the yachts arrived for the annual boat show. The weather was sunny and cool – so perfect that we often kept open the sliding glass door to the balcony. On our second night, we decided to take advantage of that balcony for a very private romantic dinner. I’ll tell you all about it later this week. Meantime, I’m going to enjoy some of that vacation afterglow. The only problem is, I wish I was still there.
They were. And those two days were even better because the hotel was so close to my home. We stayed at Gallery One Fort Lauderdale, a recently refurbished Doubletree hotel on the Intracoastal Waterway. Gwendolyn and I found it ideal for our getaway. The lobby is open, leading to the charming bar and restaurant and then continuing outside to the deck, where several tables allow guests to eat and drink by the water. There’s also the mini-beach. No kidding. Gallery One features its own patch of sand spread along the Intracoastal, with oversize lounge chairs that make this a great spot to catch rays, sip margaritas and wave to boaters all at once.
The hotel interior is tastefully minimalist. Common areas have spare modern furniture and artworks. Our suite was large, comfortable and welcoming, with a look that seemed almost Asian in its pretty simplicity. From the orchids in black vases to the abstract paintings to the fully equipped kitchen, this was a hotel room I could easily have settled into for two weeks or more. Both of us felt that way. If only we’d had the time and money.
But the time and money we did spend at Gallery One were good investments in rejuvenation. Our balcony overlooked the waterway and we spent hours relaxing there, watching as the yachts arrived for the annual boat show. The weather was sunny and cool – so perfect that we often kept open the sliding glass door to the balcony. On our second night, we decided to take advantage of that balcony for a very private romantic dinner. I’ll tell you all about it later this week. Meantime, I’m going to enjoy some of that vacation afterglow. The only problem is, I wish I was still there.
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 1:53 PM
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