SUNDY HOUSE RESORT
Delray Beach, Florida, may have once been described as God’s Waiting
Room as most of small city’s citizens chose to retire to this slow paced
locality. But these days the town, located between Boca Raton and West Palm
Beach, is ‘hot” and the average age is now considerably less as
the navel- enhanced, low-slung jean team meet the pastel floral Lily Pulitzer
clad matrons.
When Thomas Worrell Jr., a true visionary, ecologist and former publishing empire
owner, bought up most of Swinton Avenue, an area considered for years as the
wrong side of the tracks and filled with deteriorating houses, he had already
conceived the idea to preserve the dwellings and improve the area. Keeping as
much as possible of the original layouts, Worrell, who has a sense of whimsy,
had the newly renovated buildings painted in brilliant, splashy primary colours.
Sundy House, (the family name of the original owners) is a small resort with
only 11 suites, each with completely different themes. Obviously, the wittiness
of design and the great service keeps the occupancy rate extremely high, drawing
guests from all over the world. This oasis in the middle of the once sleepy
town, is what Worrell sees as “the real Florida” and plans to keep
the possibility of high rise buildings as far away as possible.
AMBIENCE
Arriving without previous knowledge to the Sundy House Resort, one may think
they were accidentally dropped on a tropical island, so luscious is the jungle-like
¾ acre Taru Gardens. With over 5,000 imported exotic plants including
Korean velvet grass, Brazilian jaboicaba and Guyanese chestnut trees, the dense
landscaping is referred to as a rain forest, albeit, man-made. Hidden gazebos,
(great for small gatherings, meals or romantic chit chat), Japanese styled bridges
span trickling ponds and water falls create a sense of surprise. Actor Tommy
Lee Jones, a resident of the area, was so enthralled with this exotic piece
of land, he’s using the same gardener,” but on a much smaller scale”,
admitted the landscape architect.
DESIGN
The Sundy House’s main building, in early revival style is the lobby.
With its ginger-bread trimmed clapboard façade, wide veranda and the
hotel’s signature patina copper roof, it is now listed in the National
Register of Historic Places. It is also the city’s oldest residence and
was once the Mayor’s offices. In the recently built addition, there are
the restaurants and terraces. The bar under a huge yellow and white striped
canvas tent with an outrageously large crystal chandelier, is yet another sign
of the amusing design.
The hotel’s “green” philosophy, with enormous attention paid
to the environment, has raised the bar for other hoteliers. Despite the municipal
politics, Sundy House has finally received approval for a fresh water swimming
pool (absolutely no chlorine) and has added a school of small fish with a beach-like
sandy bottom. Never before has the county been asked for permission for this
somewhat off-the-wall scheme, but a new bylaw has been established. For guests
who don’t have the same need to share their swimming with sea creatures,
there is a heated, naturally fresh water, pool, which just happens to have a
hidden button in the rock. One soft push and the waves and jets bubble away.
CLIENTELE
Nobody’s talking at the front desk but that’s where the many celebx,
VIPs, big biz types can often be seen checking-in. Most guests want the departure
from the seriousness of their life and opt for this wittily decorated small
hotel. The well-heeled clientele can either linger in their large suites or
wander the property without ever meeting anyone, except perhaps the daily gardening
maintenance team who also look after the two magnificently coloured macaws,
Roux and Joey.
ROOMS
The suites are all different. Six are former stables, four are old row houses,
now duplexes, and a very early 20th century converted house – The House-
a honeymoon cottage if ever there was one.
Any gourmet worth their gravy, would happily consider creating their own meal
in the state of the art, fully equipped kitchens in each unit. However, then
they’d miss the extraordinary “New Florida” cuisine created
by Chef Johnny Vinczencz in the hotel’s restaurant.
Without sounding gushy, these rooms are whimsical without being cute. For instance
room # 2, part of the Town House complex, has a fish theme The bed suspended,
a few feet off the floor by cable wire, (no swinging since the wired is attached
to the floor) hangs over a hand painted blue ocean with painted sea creatures
while the ceiling has a brilliant sunset.
The kitchen table, in patches of bright colours, is a ‘work of art’
done by students at the nearby after-school arts and cultural centre, a project
established for under- privileged children by Worell.
Number #6, part of the Stables with an Equestrian theme has a door featuring
a portrait of the famous race horse, Secretariat. The barn theme is cleverly
carried throughout.
As for #1, a duplex suite with two bedrooms, takes on deepest Africa with small
creepy crawly creatures and large tropical leaves hand-painted on the floors
while the bathroom tiles feature leaping leopards, mirror frames and cabinets
are faux painted with leopard spots. The theme even carries to the bamboo headboard
and ceiling fixtures.
And perhaps the most beautiful, certainly the most romantic, is The House which
was once a family home. The stretched made-to-measure canvas wall coverings
are hand painted with trompe l’oeil monkeys and curtain draping as are
the window covering. Whimsy is everywhere without relinquishing comfort and
technology. It’s truly fun-mode. Each room is equipped with state of the
art audio-visual equipment.
SERVICES
With only 11 suites and Worrell’s dedication to detail, personal service
ranks high. Ask for a feather pillow suddenly it appears. Need a lift to one
of the two airports –Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach- and arrangements
are quickly done. Want to shop on Atlantic Avenue, the main shopping street,
lucky guests may even get a lift in the hotel’s environmentally friendly
electric car.
THINGS TO DO
Less than one hour away is the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife
Refuge located in the Florida Everglades where visitor’s can hope to see
alligators, elegant egrets and perhaps an iguana or two.
The sparkling blue waters and clean white sandy beaches of Delray beach is about
1KM.
For the fisher, guests can charter a boat perhaps even catch a sailfish or marlin.
Also fresh water fishing is an option at Lake Ida Park.
There are several public and private golf courses in the area and since this
town is the home of the International Tennis Championships, courts aren't too
far away.
With over 300 shops and galleries, Atlantic Avenue offer an eclectic mix of
merchandise, especially at The Snappy Turtle, where sales staff live up to their
name. New York comes to Delray at The Rectory in one of Worrell’s near
by properties. Known for adventurous garb and unique jewellery, Jimmy Moore,
formerly the owner of the Big Apple’s well-known boutique Fragments, has
relocated here.
Can’t go wrong with the bars like Boston’s on the Beach or the in-town,
always filled 23rd Street East Restaurant.
A visit to the Morikami Museum of Japanese Gardens packed with nature trails,
ponds and demonstrations of ancient Japanese tea ceremonies is an interesting
way to spend a few hours.
Within 5 minutes, there’s NV Day Spa & Wellness Center, a 25,000 square
foot mega- salon with 30 treatment rooms for both men and women. The hotel can
make all the arrangements for services and transportation.
FOOD AND DRINK
Chef Johnny Vinczencz has a passion for creating and his New Florida Cuisine
includes the flavours and traditions of exotic fruits and vegetables which he
combines with classic American cooking. For De la Tierra, one of the three Sundy
House eateries, his innovative concept includes red curry seared tuna steak,
fresh corn crusted yellowtail snapper with lemon boniato mash, seven exotic
mushroom risotto, and seared foie gras “club”, carambola cornbread
and one of my favorites - smoked tomato soup garnished with little brie grilled
cheese cilantro sour cream. Perhaps the best representation is his innovative
combo of Key West shrimp, diver scallops, Florida lobster stewed in mango or
tomato and Scotch bonnet broth with callallo stew and crispy yucca and fresh
corn crusted yellowtail snapper. If there is a downside, it’s having to
choose between De la Tierra or the Warhol Room. Several genuine Warhols from
Worrell’s private collection are hung on the blue suede walls. The food
and drink offerings are varied.
INFORMATION
The Sundy House Resort, 106 S. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach Florida.
Reservations 561 272 5678
Web site www.sundyhouse.com.
Accommodations
November 1 – May 31. One bedroom, two nights minimum US$250, weekly US$1500.
Two bedroom two night minimum US$375, weekly US$2,375. Cottage nightly US$500.
June 1-October 31. One bedroom, two night minimum US$175, weekly US$750. Two
bedrooms, two night minimum US$275, Weekly US$750. Cottage US$500
Monthly rates available
Each unit is equipped with washing machine and dryer and fully equipped kitchen.
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