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The Key to Romance in Key BiscayneBy Madelyn MillerEscape to the perfect island paradise where gentle trade winds caress your soul, crystal waters refresh your spirit, and your cares are left behind, far away from the every day.
So you get the best of both worlds. You can relax and rejuvenate on sun-swept beaches or discover the world-class shopping and nightlife of Miami, South Beach, and Coconut Grove.
The hotel has created the unique atmosphere of Key Biscayne within the resort: the special mix of cosmopolitan Miami blended with the tranquil setting of beach, ocean and lush, colorful flora. The colors selected reflect the surroundings: aquamarine blues of the sea, plus peaches of the setting sun in the function rooms, and the lobby is designed in sand tones with bold, festive colors such as purple, sapphire blue, turquoise, rust and seafoam green.
Sonesta Beach Resort Key Biscayne is home to approximately 500 works of contemporary fine art, a museum-quality array of paintings, drawings and sculpture and prints, from the world-renowned Sonesta collection.
Even the food is romantic. Try the Romance on the Beach Picnic Rendezvous. You pick the time and enjoy your own romantic adventure with a picnic for two on Sonesta's beach. With the sunset and ocean breeze as the backdrop, the hotel will provide a blanket, an oil-filled lantern to create a warm glow and a gourmet basket filled with delicacies to delight your palate (all include yummy chocolate truffles). Just give them 2 hours' notice and then proceed at your own romantic pace.
If you enjoyed your candlelight dinner, you might want to repeat the experience (but not the menu) with the "Seagrape." Start with smoked salmon carpaccio with a trio of caviars, then enjoy Organic baby greens with potato wrapped goat cheese and balsamic orange dressing. You'll love the Florida Lobster Grain with asparagus, corn and Morels. A light but luscious dessert tops it off—a tulip shell filled with seasonal fresh berries and coconut croutons. If you have one more night, order the "Sunset". It begins with a caviar tasting for two with sweet corn pancakes. Then you'll enjoy grilled shrimp and scallops with baby Spinach and Frisse Lettuce-orange cumin vinaigrette. The following course is a delicious Angus Tenderloin Medallion with wild mushrooms and Cabernet sauce. And you can't leave without the Sonesta Key Lime Tart with Orange Sauce. It's totally up to you what you do between meals, but Sonesta will certainly nourish your body and soul. FOR MORE INFORMATION:A 20-minute drive from the Miami International Airport—but get directions. (My cab driver could not find this semi-secluded paradise and it took nearly an hour of driving around the island)
FLORIDA TOURISM INFORMATION800-735-2872GREAT GUIDEBOOKSFun with the Family in Florida Traveler's Florida Companion Must-see Florida Adventure Guide to Southeast Florida Lonely Planet Florida www.lonelyplanet.com Fodor's Florida 2001
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And yet this wonderful paradise is only minutes from the excitement of Miami. Sonesta Beach Resort Key Biscayne has a very international clientele. Sitting in the restaurants you will hear French, German and Spanish and you feel like you are in someplace much more exotic than Florida.
From the outside, the Sonesta Beach Resort Key Biscayne, Florida is dramatically reminiscent of an Incas pyramid. The 8-story contemporary structure stands majestically at the water's edge, with a wide, white-sand beach separating it from the Atlantic Ocean. The planted, stepped terraces at either end of the building create a tropical touch to the pyramid structure. The property sits on 10 lushly landscaped acres with tennis courts to the West side and beachfront to the East.
Inside the guestrooms, there is a warm soothing sand tone for walls and wood furniture. The furniture is contemporary and guestroom colors and fabrics are a lively blend of purple, emerald, gold and ruby. The suites were also designed in an island theme, with palettes of peach and soft green, or blue and terracotta.
And everywhere you go in the hotel, there is wonderful art, a signature of the Sonesta Hotels throughout the world. I especially liked the mural in the Purple Dolphin Restaurant by local artist Billy Sullivan. This piece was commissioned by Sonesta to create a central visual focus for the room. The restaurant's colors were then chosen to complement the artist's hues and tones in a palette of ocean blues and greens, with accents of coral, purple and pink.
There is something about the property that exudes romance. Whether you relax under a shaded palm or rejuvenate in the whirlpools. You can spend sun-filled days on the expansive stretch of white sand beach.
If you are a little less spontaneous and can plan 24 hours ahead, you should try the Candlelight Dinner. (no reason not to do both if you feel very romantic). Stargaze while the moon softly caresses the ocean and your private waiter serves candlelight dinner on the beach. Select a gourmet three-course menu the romantic evening. My favorite is the "Seabreeze" menu which includes a seafood extravaganza for two with mounds of oysters, clams, Gulf shrimp, Stone Crab Claws (in season) and chilled lobster with a variety of sauces. Feed each other with your fingers . But dinner is just starting. The next course is Grilled Hearts of Palm salad with Mango and Vanilla vinaigrette. I am sure the chef knows that vanilla is an aphrodisiac. Then enjoy Rack of Lamb for two with a herb and pine nut crust, roast garlic sauce and vegetable napoleons. Save room for the Chocolate Grand Finale.
Sonesta Beach Resort Key Biscayne
MMMMiami—Tempting Tropical Tastes for Home Cooks Everywhere