*With contributions by Lucille Sitra
This is a big hotel with an intimate soul.
A stay at the Westin Diplomat involves a number of decisions – the first, between a room overlooking the Atlantic surf or its bright green expanse of golf course, then, which of its eight outstanding restaurants to try, and how about whether to take a quiet walk on the beach, schedule some serious tennis lessons, or which of four stunning pools to select for a swim. I think you may need to call in some help.
The host of options is perhaps not so surprising for a hotel with 1,058 guest rooms and 102 suites. A world class bonus, however, is that the staff individually caters to guests with the attention found at boutique hotels. Named Diplomat Ambassadors, they are unobtrusively attentive, beginning with spiriting luggage up to guests’ rooms after check-in, providing advice and guidance on the hotel’s many options and instant delivery of basic necessities including coming to the rescue should a thorny computer issue arise.
The Diplomat is also geographically desirable. It’s a non-stop flight away from many major cities, twenty minutes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and thirty minutes from Miami’s International Airport. It’s within a five minute walk to the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk and a short drive to a range of shopping, dining and casino and nightlife options … that is if you ever decide to leave the property.
First impressions on entering are of its soaring atrium, complete with an overarching glass ceiling and floor to ceiling windows framed by white drapery through which the bright Florida light streams in. The enormous lobby is tamed by dozens of towering palm trees, potted orchids, and big comfy overstuffed sofas in soft beiges and grays nestled on beige marble. Glimpsed through the windows on the far side is a view of the hotel’s sprawling beachfront. A modern design aesthetic teamed with soft colors and textures succeeds in being both tropical and tranquil.
Accommodations are plush and welcoming. Every bed sports the divine Westin Heavenly Bed, along with what the Westin refers to as its Heavenly Bath, an enclosed shower and windowed tub area that shields the bather but allows a view of the property. There’s also a 36″ HD flat screen TV, 24-hour in-room dining and an express service button for any request from coffee in a hurry to extra towels.
There are two types of rooms offered – either along 23 miles of beachfront or at the Mediterranean style complex steps away from a championship golf course and spa. The majority have a private balcony and all are keenly focused on environmental sustainability initiatives, such as in-room recycling and censors that automatically turn off the AC when the balcony doors are open.
A variety of activities from which to choose includes letting the scent of lemongrass ginger draw you to the Diplomat’s spa for massages, facials and the perks of the Aura Salon, as well as lunch by the spa’s own pool. For a more vigorous experience, try an early morning tee-off on the 18-hole championship golf course. If the bright blue and white poolside cabanas beckon, there are four pools, including a 120-ft Infinity pool that is visually sensational. The Diplomat also has ten tennis courts and offers instruction by an on-premise tennis professional. Forgot your athletic gear? No problem – the Diplomat also features the WestinWORKOUT program and in collaboration with New Balance, workout apparel and shoes can be rented for a $5 fee. For those with kids in tow, the Westin Kids Club does a great job providing care and recreational activities for children ages 4-12.
Hollywood has a lot of competition from both Miami and Ft. Lauderdale but with the amenities of a first rate resort and a trained, caring staff, the Diplomat superbly caters to every aspect of what makes a great Florida vacation — beach, golf, spa, tennis, pool-side dining, excellent food, artfully tended gardens and grounds and personalized attention to detail that means splendid pampering.
The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa
3555 South Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
Phone: 954-602-6000
www.diplomatresort.com