Discover This Hidden Jensen Beach Gem
|
By GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life Published August 31, 2019. JENSEN BEACH_Looking for a local staycation, or just a relaxing beach getaway at an affordable price? For residents of the Palm Beaches, you can find both less than an hour's drive north at the Hutchinson Shores Resort and Spa. We recently learned about this property while attending an event. Opened two years ago, the resort is the first new hotel built on Hutchinson Island in the last 20 years, and occupies the space where a Holiday Inn once stood. Operated as part of the Opal Collection of hotels, there's lots to like about staying here, where the owners have incorporated many cool features. Join us as we go on a tour of this hidden gem on Florida's Treasure Coast. Photos by North Palm Beach Life |
|
Our Room
|
The resort boasts 178 rooms. We had an oceanview room on the second floor. Tastefully decorated in a nautical theme, which continues throughout the property, our room was both comfortable and spacious, with smart utilization of spaces. |
|
The bath is contemporary and bright. Pam was
absolutely in love with the shower, and wanted to take it home with us. The motion-sensor light was a little annoying,but you can disable it by removing your room card from the slot on the wall. |
|
|
This is the first place we've stayed where we didn't need to use a power strip to have enough outlets. There were more than enough for all our devices. Bravo! Note you can connect up to six devices on their in-house WiFi. Our room had a "chill drawer" where we could refrigerate our drinks. Smart idea! |
|
Our floor had a pantry that offered cookies,
bottled water and bags of ice -- a really nice amenity. The hallways feature an inviting blend of nautical art, ocean-inspired carpet and clean, white walls. |
|
Food and Drink
|
After we got settled in our room, it was time to head for Happy Hour (3-6 pm, Monday-Thursday) at the bar by one of two heated pools. Against a backdrop of sand, sea, surf and palm trees, Sarah, our server, took us through their food and drink menu. Lots of good choices here, including Conch Fritters ($6), Popcorn Shrimp ($8) and Smoked Wahoo Dip ($8).
Our vodka and pineapple cocktail hit the spot, too. 
All their pasta is made in-house, fresh daily. No wonder the pizzas are so good.
|
Happy Hour cheese pizza ($5). So good, and a great value for the money.
Happy Hour cidar donuts with raspberry sauce ($6). Yummy!!
|
One of two heated pools
by the outdoor bar 
Sarah was our server, and she
took good care of us. |
The Drift offers both
fine and casual dining 
Executive Chef Michael Vogler, left,
with Steve Crist, Opal's Regional Director of Sales. |
You can't beat the view
The indoor bar at Drift is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
This is where they hold highly-popular Pizza Classes. Participants learn how to make their favorite pizza, get a recipe for pizza dough and take home
a Drift apron. The cost is $24. |
We tried the Chicken Cabana ($13) -- Southern-style buttermilk chicken
on a toasted potato roll. 
Gerry appreciated that his raspberry sweet tea came with a small extra pitcher for an instant refill.
That's a nice touch! 
Pasta is made in-house daily.
|
The Beach
Wide expanses of sand kissed by the aquamarine waters of the Atlantic -- this is why you
vacation by the sea, right? Grab a chair or lounger under an umbrella and watch the waves.
vacation by the sea, right? Grab a chair or lounger under an umbrella and watch the waves.
|
|
|
Be aware you share the beach with our sea turtle friends; their nests are marked with tape.
|
Since this is the tropics, Florida has its share of bugs. The resort management has thoughfully provided protection with these 'Stop Bugging Me' packets if you encounter any. Another nice amenity. |
Around the Resort
|
Check out this amazing sand sculpture
in the lobby. Hats off to the artist! A giant marlin mobile hangs high in the atrium lobby. Those green plants on the wall are real. It all makes for a dramatic entrance. |
A fountain offers a quiet refuge
|
A special amenity for runners
|
Get rejuvenated at the spa
|
The larger of the two heated pools has its
own bar plus plenty of places to chill. It also features a spa for taking a hot dip. |
|
|
|
Just want to hang out and socialize? Try these places, by the spa (left) and the pool bar
In Closing
|
Hutchinson Shores Resort and Spa ticked all our boxes.
You should also know the resort is pet-friendly. They offer a special Florida resident rate. Rooms start at around $160. Our oceanview with a king room starts at around $200. The resort fee is $34 daily. And Pam just couldn't part with the "softest, fluff-est robe" she ever wore. So okay, go ahead and add that to the bill ($75). If you live in the Palm Beaches, it's close enough to do Happy Hour. Just know once you get there, you'll probably want to stay. |
The Hutchinson Shores robe
|