A vacation getaway is for relaxing…that is…relaxing everything but your standards. The Lago Mar Club and Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, offers the perfect combination of a beach-resort experience with a country club feel. Luxurious rooms, a family friendly environment, fully appointed spa, gourmet dining and private beach make this the perfect relaxing getaway for couples and families alike. Located within a mile of the cruise port, the resort is also a great place to relax before starting or ending a cruise.
Fort Lauderdale can be an affordable location for a three-to-five-day getaway. Spirit Airlines will get you there for around $300 from Chicago depending on your departure dates. Catch a taxi ride from the airport to Lago Mar for around $25 and let your vacation begin!
While there are hundreds of hotels in the Fort Lauderdale area, only a couple boast a privileged position directly on the beach. Lago Mar is one of them. This beautiful, unassuming resort offers all the amenities of a four-star hotel with the comfort and personalized service of a bed and breakfast, with an envious location on a stunning white sand beach.
In addition to the 500 feet of private beach, the resort features two pools – one large enough for lap swimming and the other lagoon style with an island stage. The pools are always warm and inviting. Four tennis courts, shuffleboard, outdoor chess board, putting course and children’s playground offer additional recreation.
Families will enjoy nearby attractions including the Museum of Discovery and Science, Butterfly World and the Flamingo Gardens. For the adventurous, experience the Everglades up close and personal with Sawgrass Air Boat Tours. Restaurants and shops – from boutiques to department stores – offer something for everyone…literally minutes from your home base at Lago Mar.
With 164 suites and oversized guest rooms, Lago Mar offers accommodations to suit all guests. All rooms include amenities like complimentary wireless Internet, pillow top mattresses and in-room safes. The Executive Suites have one bedroom, living room with sofa bed and wet bar. The Poolside Suites – one bedroom, one bedroom deluxe and two bedroom – feature a full kitchen and/or wet bar, living room with pull-out sofa and spectacular ocean views. Penthouse suites include two full bedrooms, two full baths, living room with sofa bed, wet bar and more.
Whether you’re looking for a pizza or a three-course meal, Lago Mar can offer the perfect dining experience. Savor the full breakfast buffet at the Palm Garden Dining Room and Seascape Terrace, or sleep in and wait for an ala carte lunch. Grab a burger or sample the amazing fried calamari at the Ocean Grill before heading back to the beach. For fine evening dining, Executive Chef Philip Damien will create Shrimp & Mussel Garganelli at the resort’s Acquario American bistro, or enjoy one of his three-course dinners for under $30. Before or after dinner, enjoy the old-world charm of the Wine Cellar Lounge.
The Spa at Lago Mar is ideal for those who desire personalized service, unique amenities and an exceptional atmosphere. Relaxing and therapeutic treatments, including massage, facials, wraps, waxing and more are offered at affordable prices to revitalize and rejuvenate body and spirit. Too much sun? Try the Water Lily After-Sun Soothing Wrap to ease the burn and sting of sunburn. Follow up with a Sun Lover’s facial, or choose one of nine other specialty facials. Relax further with one of six different massage styles including hot stone, Swedish, reflexology and deep tissue. Other services include wraps, salt glows, waxing and manicures. The Spa also sells an incredible sugar scrub that makes a perfect gift for those you left behind!
Even without the elegant accommodations, gourmet dining and full-service spa, Lago Mar would still be a special place. That’s because of the wonderful team of employees – from the owner right down to the housekeeping and restaurant wait staff. Owner Walter Banks believes in treating his employees as family. They in turn treat guests in the same way, making Lago Mar a truly welcoming resort.
“People come to Lago Mar the first time because of our incredible beach location and wonderful resort amenities,” says Walter Banks. “But they return year after year because of our staff, who work to make every guest feel at home. We’ve got a wonderful group of employees who really enjoy their work at Lago Mar. Because so many guests return every year, we have become good friends with them and look forward to their return. It has been amazing to watch the children grow up and really get to know the families. ”
What is evident is that employees take pride in offering first-class service to all guests – young and old. During our recent visit, our dining room waiter Eden, made dining an incredible experience for all of us. With his wonderful Romanian accent, he remembered each of our names and befriended my children in an instant. On every trip to the dining room, our children would look for Eden with anticipation. Whether it was an extra chocolate, a big scoop of ice cream, or a special napkin design, Eden captured our children’s hearts and won their parents over in the process.
A number of two-night “specials” are available for discriminating guests including the Reserve Wine Package (accommodations in a one-bedroom suite, breakfast buffet and three-course dinner with wine to accompany each course), the Romance Package (accommodations in an executive one-bedroom suite, bottle of sparkling wine on arrival and a candlelight dinner for two) or the Spa Package (accommodations in an executive one-bedroom suite, lunch for two and four spa treatments of 50 minutes each). Prices are based on double occupancy and vary by date.
Lago Mar has been awarded the prestigious Four Diamond Award by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and is consistently rated as one of Fort Lauderdale’s Best Resorts by Zagat’s. Visit www.lagomar.com or call 1-800-LagoMar.
Article by Patrick Goodness: patrick@goodnesscompany.com
Stevens Point News 