Tuesday, October 6, 2009

WATERSIDE WEDNESDAY

Welcome to Fort Lauderdale.
Although completely renovated and updated a few years ago, the Pelican Grand Resort (illustrated above) retains much of its 1900s charm. Unlike most Ft. Lauderdale hotels and shops, The Pelican Grand (the white building with turrets) is located directly on the beach.
From the moment you arrive at the front entrance, old-fashioned details such as fish scale gable shingles, filigree brackets and pineapple lanterns catch your eye.
The open hallways capture ocean breezes and were an architectural feature of old Florida hotels.
Suspended from a coffered ceiling, the enormous lighting fixtures in the lobby are stunning.
The Tiffany style stained glass chandeliers and sconces in the poolside lounge are also lovely.
Old fashioned woven palm ceiling fans hover above most of the main floor's public spaces.

And rattan furnishings also contribute to the hotel's retro tropical look.

My suite, booked online for a fraction of the list price, was painted a soothing pale yellow with a wall of windows separating the sleeping area from a spacious sitting room.
Carpeted in the same pretty floral pattern as the bedroom, the sitting room opened onto a balcony with an ocean view.

Here's the view looking north from the balcony.
In addition to the private stretch of beach, the hotel also boasts a pool and lazy river. The river isn't the only thing that's lazy. I couldn't resist grabbing a tube and floating along.

Post siesta, one of the back veranda's rocking chairs called my name.
And since I couldn't tear myself away from the view, I dined at an outdoor table.

What was so fascinating to watch? In addition to the waves...
there were boats bobbing in the water...
palm trees blowing in the breeze...
and the hotel's namesake pelicans.
Next post, I promise to take you on a stroll along the beach.

Don't forget to link up to Waterside Wednesday (with a waterside post, of course). Lakes, rivers, steams, ponds, or any body of water qualifies, as do coastal crafts and cooking posts, too.

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***

Sarah's blog is a visual treat every day, but today, I especially adore one of the photos (see below). Could it be the propping? So swim on over to A Beach Cottage (www.abeachcottage.com) and visit this gorgeous Australian cottage by the sea.
(photo courtesy of A Beach Cottage blog)

25 comments:

Jane said...

Wow! This beautiful resort has definitely been renovated. And the Ft Lauderdale beach has been improved!!! The last time I was here was shortly after Florida's 4 Storm year...the year of the HURRICANES. The water had taken over the beach...and was right up to the seawall.

This hotel is now on my short list...
Thanks for sharing these lovely photos. I hope you had a fabulous and relaxing time.
Jane (Artfully Graced)

Blondie's Journal said...

Barbara,

Beautiful pictures and narrative to get lost in. I love Ft. Lauderdale. Of course my first experience there was when I was about 20!!

The hotel is gorgeous. Everything from your beautiful room and view to the pool and restaurant is about the best any great hotel can offer. I would love to stay there and would keep it in mind if I ever returned to Ft. Lauderdale.

Thanks for bringing us along as if 'we were there'!!

xoxo
Jane

Julie@beingRUBY said...

HI Barbara
Lovely post.. I wish I was there also!!
It is my turn for the flu now [although I think I have been greedy and had it too many times this year!]

Love this post and your gorgeous photos.. my favourite of course.. the view .. the view.. the view...the balcony.. and did i mention.. the view!! hehe

Have a great week .. Julie

Julie Marie said...

Hello Barbara, how beautiful! I love it all, especially the lazy river and pool... I would definitely dine outside too! Bisous... Julie Marie

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

A wonderful spot!

Sarah said...

I love the Florida beaches, we visited every year when we were in England

thanks for the link up, I must say I like your style ;-)

S

bj said...

Ummm, this is all so beautiful. Wonderful photos.
I love Sarah's blog, too and she does some fabulous staging for her photos.
I've wondered...is your header a photo of your living room? I am having some serious coveting problems with it !!!:)

Cottage Rose said...

Hi Barbra; Oh I wish I was there too.. What a beautiful place... What a gorgeous Hotel. It is some thing right out of the 20s or 30s.. your suite is so pretty.. and to be able to sit and eat out side with a view like that... I would never leave.... what a feast for the eyes... can't wait to see more... have a good week

Hugs;
Alaura

Barbara Jacksier said...

Alas, the living room is not mine. It's from one of the homes in Delaware that is in my book. It was originally going to be the cover shot. Don't you just love it?

erin's art and gardens said...

looks like a lovely hotel and more importantly, on the beach! love the rocking chair porch.......congrats on your book making its way down under!

Vintage Rose Collection said...

Hi Barbara,
WHat a fabulous hotel, and the views, just breathtaking!
Looking forward to our walk along the beach...
Barbara, thank you sweetly for your heartfelt comment today..Warm hug to you xo
JO

Fifi Flowers said...

I wish I was THERE too! GORGEOUS!!!

beachvintage.com said...

OMG I adore that pink sofa. Is it velvet?? Amazing. Thanks so much for dropping by Beach Vintage.

Drawn to The Sea said...

I only see one problem... it would be sooooo hard to leave a gorgeous setting like that. I'd be rocking there every day.

~Julia

bikim said...

Beautiful pics! wish i was there!!!
Have a lovely day,
Rosa

Lori said...

it looks beautiful there...the building is gorgeous and the views are spectacular...thanks for sharing!!!

Alison Gibbs said...

What a wonderful place to stay - beautiful architecture and fabulous setting
Alison

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, what a DREAM place to stay!! It is like a fairytale! You are so lucky to have been so many wonderful places. Your room is gorgeous and i Just love the outside of the building! Wonderful views, I wish I were there :)

Thank you so much for your comment on my blog! I loved what you said :)
Hugs,
Amy

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Barbara,
Thank YOU for the lovely tour of a completely different landscape than mine! I have never been down south, but it sure is gorgeous. Thanks for coming up to Stillwater to see my tour. Have a wonderful weekend!!!! Anita

Brenda Pruitt said...

I think I'd love to be there! The palm trees and the ocean and that lovely suite!
Brenda

Georgia Peachez said...

Boy, do I wish I was there too. xo, suzy

the paris apartment said...

I'm so glad you had such a great time! Sorry to have missed you while you were here but hopefully you'll be back! I love the first vintage illustration. Your view was just gorgeous!

xinex said...

So pretty and so relaxing. I always enjoy Fort Lauderdale. My stepdaughter lives there.....Christine

Anonymous said...

I wish I was there too :)!

Cynthia K. said...

Beautiful and a lovely, dreamy view. I'm feeling more relaxed just looking at it all.
I went back to some of your older posts - especially loved all the European chandeliers and also the shell decorations. Sigh...

It's all so lovely that I must sign up as a follower and keep receiving these eye treats. And of course, I do feel like I know you from all those years of soaking in the beautiful decorating magazines when you were their editor. Loved them.

When you have a moment, stop by my new blog, Beauty and Blessings....

Cynthia K.