BY JANET STEINBERG
I just returned from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where I had
the pleasure of seeing four beautiful new faces in the city known as “The
Venice of America”.
the pleasure of seeing four beautiful new faces in the city known as “The
Venice of America”.
The first three faces were those of three beautiful
babies. Granted I am a bit prejudiced (they are my great-grandsons), but
I just had to share them with you. Please allow me to introduce you to my twin
great-grandsons 4-month old Asher and Ethan, and their one-month old cousin
Abraham.
babies. Granted I am a bit prejudiced (they are my great-grandsons), but
I just had to share them with you. Please allow me to introduce you to my twin
great-grandsons 4-month old Asher and Ethan, and their one-month old cousin
Abraham.
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| ETHAN, ABRAHAM, AND ASHER WITH GREAT-GRANNY JANET STEINBERG |
The fourth beautiful face I saw in Ft. Lauderdale was
the result of an extensive facelift. No, it’s not what you
might be thinking. It was not on my Florida daughter’s face or
on that of one of my granddaughters. It was on the atrium
area of my Ft. Lauderdale home-away-from-home…The Embassy Suites
Ft. Lauderdale on 17th Street.
the result of an extensive facelift. No, it’s not what you
might be thinking. It was not on my Florida daughter’s face or
on that of one of my granddaughters. It was on the atrium
area of my Ft. Lauderdale home-away-from-home…The Embassy Suites
Ft. Lauderdale on 17th Street.
OUT
with the old.
with the old.
IN
with the new! That is the hotel’s 21st century mantra.
with the new! That is the hotel’s 21st century mantra.
OUT is the old, tired aqua and coral sea-shelled carpeting that lined the
atrium halls.
IN is carpeting with a chic magical meld of geometric
stripes, and circles.
stripes, and circles.
OUT
are the flowery carved suite numbers on Colonial-style doors.
IN are stunning grey and chrome suite numbers on sleek geometric doors,
with door locks accessible through an app on your I-phone.
are the flowery carved suite numbers on Colonial-style doors.
IN are stunning grey and chrome suite numbers on sleek geometric doors,
with door locks accessible through an app on your I-phone.
OUT
are the yellow walls and the out-of-date flower boxes precariously
perched on the atrium’s railings.
are the yellow walls and the out-of-date flower boxes precariously
perched on the atrium’s railings.
IN
are soft ivory walls and a new sleek look upwards in the hotel’s
atrium.
are soft ivory walls and a new sleek look upwards in the hotel’s
atrium.
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| COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST SERVED DAILY IN THE ATRIUM |
All
this overlooks a verdant waterfalled atrium and the breakfast area
with tasteful cane furniture plus a community dining table.
this overlooks a verdant waterfalled atrium and the breakfast area
with tasteful cane furniture plus a community dining table.
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| TROPICAL SETTING IN THE ATRIUM |
OUTside
of the hotel, adjacent to the bar, is a lush green area complete with
colorful koi fish swimming around in their pool.
of the hotel, adjacent to the bar, is a lush green area complete with
colorful koi fish swimming around in their pool.
 |
|
KOI
SWIM IN AN OUTDOOR POOL |
Like
the koi, guests have their own pool complete with waterfall, deck
chairs, and fluffy towels…all complimentary.
the koi, guests have their own pool complete with waterfall, deck
chairs, and fluffy towels…all complimentary.
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| SWIMMING POOL AT EMBASSY SUITES FT. LAUDERDALE |
Close to the airport and cruise terminal, Embassy Suites Ft. Lauderdale is
one of the best buys in South Florida. In addition to offering
a 2-room suite, complete with microwave, refrigerator and 2
flat-screen televisions, the hotel also offers a complimentary Business Center
and serves a daily complimentary cooked-to-order full breakfast and a
complimentary nightly cocktail hour complete with a variety of
snacks.
Other
best buys are some of the unique offerings at the Seldom Seen Gallery on Las Olas
Boulevard. At the Harbor Shops, a two-minute walk from the hotel,
you can stock up on treats from Publix and a myriad of other shops
and restaurants. One of my favorite restaurants in that
shopping center is Gilbert’s, a family-run, reasonably priced
restaurant with delicious homemade soups and food.
best buys are some of the unique offerings at the Seldom Seen Gallery on Las Olas
Boulevard. At the Harbor Shops, a two-minute walk from the hotel,
you can stock up on treats from Publix and a myriad of other shops
and restaurants. One of my favorite restaurants in that
shopping center is Gilbert’s, a family-run, reasonably priced
restaurant with delicious homemade soups and food.
 |
| UNIQUE OFFERINGS FROM THE “SELDOM SEEN GALLERY” ON LAS OLAS BOULEVARD |
Other old-time, affordable favorites (a short drive from Embassy Suites)
are Ernie’s B-B-Q, a glimpse back into the Florida of bygone days,
and Lester’s Diner (serving South Florida since 1967) where they bake
the most incredible desserts right on the premises.
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| DESSERTS TO DIE FOR AT LESTER’S DINER |
Another
old tradition in Ft. Lauderdale is the Jungle Queen Riverboat that
offers sightseeing and dinner cruises on the Intracoastal and the New
River. Let your imagination run wild as you create the
scenarios that might be taking place in the waterfront mansions as
you sail past them.
old tradition in Ft. Lauderdale is the Jungle Queen Riverboat that
offers sightseeing and dinner cruises on the Intracoastal and the New
River. Let your imagination run wild as you create the
scenarios that might be taking place in the waterfront mansions as
you sail past them.
 |
| WATERFRONT MANSIONS AS SEEN FROM THE JUNGLE QUEEN RIVERBOAT |
Everything
old is new again in Ft. Lauderdale. But, next time around, I will be
seeing the city through the eyes of my three great-grandsons.
old is new again in Ft. Lauderdale. But, next time around, I will be
seeing the city through the eyes of my three great-grandsons.
JANET STEINBERG is an
award-winning Travel Writer, International Travel Consultant, and winner of 40 national
Travel Writing Awards.