| Cruises, Vacations, City Breaks, Beaches and everything else |
| We recently spent a lovely weekend at the Beau Rivage hotel which stands in a glorious position overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. We arrived mid afternoon at Gulfport Mississippi after an enjoyable, and thankfully, turbulent free, Air Tran flight. We were met at the foot of the escalator by an impeccably dressed chauffeur holding a Beau Rivage sign clearly displaying our names. Within minutes we had located our suitcase and were being escorted by our cheerful and courteous driver to an immaculate limousine. On arrival at the Beau Rivage the check-in was quick and the receptionist charming and polite. (I always consider this to be important as nothing is more daunting than to be received by unhelpful and nonchalant staff). The check-in desks are located in a spacious and magnificent atrium area and a step away from the most luxurious shops. Beau Rivage collections feature a fine selection of the most desirable designers including Kay Unger, Tadashi, and David Miester. Bellini presents designer clothing from Canali, Andrew Marc and DKNY, Tommy Bahama and apparel from the Fallen Oak Pro Golf Shop. As you leave the Promenade undulating curbs softly frame an abundance of fresh and fragrant flowers and you are colorfully led into the main vestibule of the hotel. Sumptuous valances drape from the ceilings and painted silvered mirrors adorn the walls. Incidentally before you reach the elevators you pass an exquisite shop where creations by Cartier, David Yurman and Rolex languish under the domed ceiling of the beautifully designed Jewelry Box. Our wonderfully appointed non-smoking room was located on the 25th floor overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The furnishings are imposing and plush and serene regal colors decorate a sublimely spacious room. I loved the 32 inch flat- screen LCD television which I could watch in bed without the necessity of my glasses. High-speed Internet access is supplied so there isn't a problem keeping a finger on the pulse of your business whilst staying at the Beau. At night the 'turn down' service was a really nice touch along with the luxury chocolate. The bathrooms are superb: marble floors, a roomy tub, a non-claustrophobic seamless shower stall and yet another telephone (there's two in the main bedroom with voice mail). Additionally the complimentary custom bath and hair products are a certain plus but it was something simple which was great for me - a lighted magnifying makeup mirror. The Beau as guests prefer to call it is described as a Resort Hotel for very good reason. It is simply excellent. For golf enthusiasts there's a newly finished golf course, Fallen Oak, designed by Tom Fazio. The course, which hosts several prestigious charity events, flanks the edge of DeSoto National Forest and its magnificent scenery and challenging greens have already placed it in the top ten of new clubs. If you just need to kick back and relax then check out the pool. It is large, it sparkles and faces south, a big plus for sun worshippers but there are several shady nooks in which to sip a refreshing drink. The hot tub can soothe away any traveling aches but for serious de-stressing try the Health Spa where you can choose between the invigorating and the relaxing massages, body scrubs and body wraps. Too much sun? Try the 'After Sun Therapy'; soothing white water lily, healing green tea and chamomile. The Beau also boasts a Salon for all your hair, skin and nail beauty needs. Children too love the Beau for it's great pool, Scoops ice cream shop and a fantastic Arcade amusement center sporting hot new video games, including Capture, NBA Hoops, Super Bikes and Fast & Furious. Also a selection of games for ages 10 and under. My grandson loved it and as you play you earn points towards some super prizes. Now let’s talk food. The chefs at the Beau are world class and the restaurant choices exceptional. From absolutely mouth watering steaks at B.R.Prime to the eclectic and piquant Asian flavors of Jia to the relaxed Buffet and the Roasted Bean (where incidentally they roast their own superior blend of coffee) the gourmet dishes, pastries and sandwiches are beyond delicious. After dinner we made our way to the Beau Rivage Theater where we enjoyed a fast paced awe inspiring show. Top line entertainment is actually the norm at the Beau and headliners this year include The Four Tops, Patti Labelle, the Smothers Brothers and my particular favorite Sinbad. We have not visited the night club but have heard that it is loud, brash and wonderful - maybe a little too much for this sedate couple so we sauntered into the casino. The Beau's casino has everything from the new poker room to the traditional slots and there is something for everyone, as long as they are over 21. I am not a casino aficionado but I have played in several and the single most important factor is comfort. If you feel comfortable then you feel lucky and from the relaxed friendly staff to the open aesthetically beautiful decor the Beau has definitely accomplished that perfect balance. I would wholly recommend joining the M.G.M. Mirage Players Club as your point play accumulates and you can earn some remarkable rewards. Several hours later we retired to our climate controlled room and slept really well. The following morning we decided to indulge ourselves and ordered a, first class, room service breakfast while enjoying the natural pleasure of watching a pod of dolphins frolicking and enjoying the warm Gulf waters. The Gulf Coast was ravaged by Katrina and the recovery is slow. The magnificent stately homes which once impressively embellished the beach line are sadly gone but the proud people of Mississippi and Louisiana are determined to rebuild and restore their states. We can offer some measure of support by bolstering their economy and returning to their shores thus rejuvenating tourism. In conclusion the Beau Rivage has a certain indefinable quality that cannot be qualified by its luxury, its superb amenities or even its first class staff. The Beau is a true example of La Crème de La Crème and the whole is certainly so much more than just the sum of its parts. We were very sad to leave but extremely happy to say that we have already booked a return visit to 'our' Beau. Oh and in case you are wondering. Yes we did win! |
| Weekend at the Beau Rivage |
| THE BEAU RIVAGE:SUPERB RESORT HOTEL |
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TOP TEN HONEYMOON
DESTINATIONS
1. Italy for pure romance
2. Hawaii for beaches & spectacular views
3. Tahiti the spectacular Polynesian jewel
4. Costa Rica is exciting and fascinating
5. Mexico for superior fine sandy beaches
6. France provides culture, scenery, &
gourmet food
7. Maldives beckon if you love the beach
& it's sports
8. Anguilla satisfies a refined palate
9. Fiji the South Pacific gem of all colors
10. Greece where love of ancient & modern
blends
DESTINATIONS
1. Italy for pure romance
2. Hawaii for beaches & spectacular views
3. Tahiti the spectacular Polynesian jewel
4. Costa Rica is exciting and fascinating
5. Mexico for superior fine sandy beaches
6. France provides culture, scenery, &
gourmet food
7. Maldives beckon if you love the beach
& it's sports
8. Anguilla satisfies a refined palate
9. Fiji the South Pacific gem of all colors
10. Greece where love of ancient & modern
blends
| Vacationing: Keep children safe and prevent drowning: Please check out water and pool safety advice for keeping children safe when in a pool.: Beau Riche Water Safety / Pool Safety |
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