Hidden Calm at Hyatt Regency Bonaventure, Weston, Florida
January 25, 2010 by Debi Lander · Leave a Comment
Garden at Hyatt Regency Bonaventure
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 Hyatt Regency Bonaventure 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 Hyatt 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.
Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa
250 Racquet Club Road, Weston, Florida 33326
954-616-1234/ 800 327-8090
Website: http://bonaventure.hyatt.com
How to Help Haiti
January 16, 2010 by Debi Lander · Leave a Comment
Flag of Haiti
My sympathy goes out to everyone in earthquake-ridden Haiti who has suffered loss of family, friends and property. The news and video remain heart-breaking.
The desire to help relief efforts by making donations seems to be swelling, but please be aware of scams out there. The legitimate organizations using your money for aid are:
ORGANIZATIONS TAKING DONATIONS TO ASSIST IN HAITI
• Action Against Hunger- http://actionagainsthunger.org
•
ActionAid – http://actionaidusa.org
• Air Serve International – www.airserv.org
• Airline Ambassadors – www.airlineamb.org
• American Red Cross - www.redcross.org/donate or text the word HAITI to 90999 for a $10 donation
• AmeriCares – www.AmeriCares.org
•
CARE – www.care.org/donatehaiti
• Clinton Foundation – www.clintonfoundation.org or text the word HAITI to 20222 for a $10 donation*
• Doctors Without Borders – doctorswithoutborders.org
• Habitat for Humanity – www.habitat.org
• Humane Society International – www.hsi.org
• Mercy Corps: Haiti Earthquake Fund – www.mercycorps.org
• Oxfam America – OxfamAmerica.org/Haiti
• Partners in Health - www.pih.org
• Save the Children – http://savethechildren.org
• The Salvation Army - salvationarmyusa.org
• UN World Food Programme – www.wfp.org
• UNICEF – www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake
• United Way International – www.liveunited.org
- Red Cross Logo
Starting the New Year with The Optimist Creed
January 2, 2010 by Debi Lander · Leave a Comment
Follow the path
I’m choosing to start 2010 with an optimistic outlook. I’m ready to follow the path leading to some positive changes.
My friend, Suzanne Egan, posted The Optimist Creed on her January 1, 2010 Facebook entry. Christian D. Larson, an early New Thought (New Age) leader wrote the work in 1912, almost a hundred years ago. I love the promise which remains timely and decided to make the message my personal motto for the year ahead.
Promise Yourself:
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
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What path will you follow in 2010 and where will it lead?
