Formerly a Wyndham, the new name (along with a $100 million renovation) asserts itself as a decidedly more upscale venue targeting conventioneers as well as leisure guests who value golf or the Everglades over beach proximity. Factor in the allure of a huge Elizabeth Arden's Red Door Lifestyle Spa (48,000 square feet with 30 treatment rooms) with a Pilates studio, Hot Yoga Room, and Zen Garden, and you'll understand why. Shop & Drop packages with free transport to nearby Sawgrass Mills extend the appeal to an even wider audience. Spacious guest rooms (and public areas) have a light British-colonial-amid-an-oasis look, with plentiful modern amenities, including clock radios with iPod docks. Banyan Restaurant serves American and continental fare, and the Bamboo Spa Café dishes up tasty, nutritional fare. Golf and tennis facilities adjacent to the hotel are independent of the 23-acre resort. Pros: "Pets Can Stay" in your room program (for a $50 fee) provides canines with a bone, temporary ID tag, and a dog-walk route. Cons: Traffic on I-595 can impede off-property exploration.
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