LagoMar Newsletter - Spring 2014

The latest from

Welcome to Lago Mar’s bi-annual newsletter.

Like a real magazine, flip through our issue by grabbing and dragging at the page corners or you can also use the previous and next buttons to navigate.

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Awards & Accolades Now in its third year, the award celebrates hospitality excellence and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.

A Letter from The Banks Family Dear Friends of Lago Mar,

Welcome to the latest issue of our newsletter and another opportunity to connect with us at Lago Mar. If you didn’t have the opportunity to visit us this winter, I hope you’ll make plans to return soon.

The next time you’re here, be sure to look at the enhancements my parents and interior designer Susan Storrs have made in our patio bar and the North Lobby. We always want you to be pleasantly surprised by the improvements we make to assure you of a satisfying stay.

Spring is on the way and we’re all looking forward to our favorite traditions of the season. We’ve planned a fabulous Easter celebration with lots of family-oriented activities and a bountiful Easter buffet.

You can also plan a fantastic spring break with our Girls Getaway for Two Package. Be sure to check out the details, but I’ll give you a preview here. It’s all about you, your girlfriends and pure bliss.

If you’ve been following my blog, The Beach Life, (and I hope you do) you may have read about some of the news we’ve included here. Please be sure to see the note about a very prestigious award from TripAdvisor. We have our wonderful guests to thank for it.

As always, we’ve included one of Chef Phil’s recipes for you to try at home. And of course, we’ve listed a number of special events happening in the Fort Lauderdale area in the coming months. If you love music, arts and dance, you have even more reasons for visiting Lago Mar this spring.

Looking forward to greeting you in person soon,

Debbie Banks Snyder

Resort Hotel Committee Recognition Lago Mar was recognized for exemplary use of social media at a recent Resort Hotel Committee meeting in Vermont. After an analysis of 65 four- and five-star resorts, Lago Mar made it into the Top 5.

Chef Phil Wins Another Award Kudos to Chef Phil! In Wichita, Kansas, to represent Lago Mar at the Cargill Food Service North America 2013 Sterling Silver Chef Reception, he won the award for Top Beef Dish.

Be sure to check us out at Facebook.com/LagoMarResort to stay connected with all things Lago Mar.

We Need Your Vote!

Travel + Leisure Magazine is asking their discerning readers

to share their voices and insights in their annual World’s Best

Awards survey. As a small, family-owned resort we sincerely appreciate our extended family of guests taking just a few minutes to fill out the survey and recommend our resort.

Click here to vote for Lago Mar DEADLINE IS MARCH 31ST!

Girls Getaway for Two

New at Lago Mar Patio Bar The existing bar top was replaced with a rich sea green and teal granite, and a linear teak tile by Walker Zanger was applied to the face of bar. The result: cleaner lines and an infusion of color and warmth. New seat cushions with a contemporary pattern on the barstools complement the colors of the new granite bar top.

Winter is fading and you want to reward yourself for making it through all those dreary days and long nights. We have the perfect solution. Get your best girlfriends together and come to Lago Mar for two days of pure bliss.

Girls Getaway Package starting at $1,032* • Accommodations for three days and two nights in an executive one-bedroom suite • Welcome amenity • $100 food and beverage credit • 50-Minute Swedish or aromatherapy massage • 50-Minute classic manicure with chocolate-covered strawberries and sparkling wine served during services

For all the details and to book your Girls Getaway Package, please call 855-360-4774 *Package rates based on double occupancy and availability. Blackout dates may apply and are subject to change. Offer cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or existing reservations. For more information on rates and details call 855-383-6267. Credit cannot be given for any unused amenities. Includes tax and gratuity.

North Lobby Refreshing this interior space began with Walter and Debbie Banks working in concert with Susan Storrs’ selection of a large-patterned floral carpet in keeping with Lago Mar’s South Florida theme. Bold aqua and teal colors with rich coral and brown accents are incorporated throughout the design of the carpet and updated upholsteries. The new look was completed with accent pieces from Tommy Bahama that are crowned with decorative round mirrors and arranged along the perimeter walls with four beautiful Century Furniture demilunes nestled underneath and complemented by stunning Robert Allen textiles.

Meeting Rooms In these rooms adjacent to the North Lobby, a second patterned field carpet bordered with the same colors and floral concept as in the lobby was selected for the meeting spaces. Updated draperies pick up the deep aqua tones while a panel of brown grass cloth accents the newly paneled pilasters in each room.

Patios Colorful new pavers outside the Soda Shop and Acquario Restaurant resulted in a brand new look for these popular areas. New Tropitone tables, chairs and umbrellas have added a whimisical flair to the Seagrape Terrace.

Try It at Home: Caribbean Spiny Lobster Tail with Citrus Lobster Sauce This is one of those dishes that always impresses your guests. The lobster looks spectacular and the flavors are deliciously rich. Serve this dish and don’t worry ‘bout a thing, ‘cause every little thing gonna is be all right.

Ingredients for the Lobster • 1 7oz. lobster tail per person • Salt & pepper • Lemon pepper

• Paprika • White wine • Lemon juice

Preparation for Lobster Cut the lobster tails down the middle until you reach the meat, don’t cut into it. Gently pull out the meat until it rests on top of the shell. Season with salt, pepper, lemon pepper, paprika, white wine and lemon juice.

In a hot sauté pan, sear lobster meat in drawn butter until golden brown. Remove lobster tail from pan and turn meat side up. Finish in oven at 350˚ for six minutes.

Ingredients for Orange Lobster Sauce • 1 cup lobster stock • 1 cup orange juice • Lemongrass 1 stalk

DOWNLOAD THIS RECIPE >>

• Fresh ginger sliced, 4oz • 1 cup diced tomato • 1 tbsp. peppercorns

• White wine ¼ cup • Heavy cream ¼ cup

Preparation for Sauce Reduce orange juice to ¼ cup and set aside. Then reduce your lobster stock by half and add in lemongrass, ginger, tomato, peppercorns and white wine. Strain the reduced stock and add the orange juice and heavy cream. Simmer all ingredients for 10 minutes. Sauce should stick to a spoon and not run. Finish by seasoning with salt and pepper.

Special Events Here’s a sampling of special events and attractions in Fort Lauderdale that will make your stay at Lago Mar even more memorable.

Easter at Lago Mar | April 20 Easter is an extra special family holiday at Lago Mar. We’ve planned a full schedule of fun Easter events for our guests highlighted by an egg coloring and bag decorating night with movies and pizza. Additional activities include a circus on the beach, bingo with an array of prizes and a Mexican fiesta.

While the children sleep on Saturday night, the Easter Bunny arrives and hides over 1,000 eggs on the playground. The next morning, promptly at 11:00 a.m., the Easter egg hunt begins. Guests and members are invited to search for Easter eggs, with prizes awarded for finding gold and silver eggs. Egg hunters are divided by age group so every participant has a fair chance to win a prize. The Easter Bunny will be on hand during the hunt and available for photos.

What do you do after our exciting Easter egg hunt? Stroll over to our fabulous Easter buffet, of course. The treats are easy to find there, with a rich variety of selections for you to savor.

To book your Easter vacation to Lago Mar, call our reservations desk at 855-360-4774.

Florida Derby | Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach | March 29 Enjoy a day at the track as you watch one of horse racing’s celebrated spring traditions.

Inaugurated in 1952, the Florida Derby features promising three-year olds racing 1 1/8 miles for a $1 million purse and a place in history. www.gulfstreampark.com Museum of Discovery and Science: Wine, Spirits & Culinary Celebration | April 4 There’s never a dull moment at this museum, especially during this event. Nearly 50 of South Florida’s leading restaurants and Southern Wine and Spirits will showcase a sequence of food pairings with spirits, wine or beer from around the world. Each guest receives a complimentary Reidel wine glass and will have an opportunity to bid on amazing silent auction prizes. For advance tickets, call 954.713.0954. mods.org

Tortuga Music Festival | Fort Lauderdale Beach Park | April 12-13 Gather for an unforgettable beach weekend experience that unites music and meaning while raising awareness for marine conservation. Tortuga Music Festival is a multi-day, multi-stage music festival featuring some of the biggest names in country, rock and roots music. tortugamusicfestival.com Las Olas Wine and Food Festival | May 2 The 18th Annual Las Olas Wine and Food Festival features signature cuisine from more than 70 of South Florida’s most desirable dining destinations and is a mustattend event in the Ft. Lauderdale community. Live music sets the tone for a night filled with delectable food and exceptional wine featuring varietals from around the world. www.lasolaswff.com

To experience all that Lago Mar has to offer, or for more information, call 855-360-4774 or visit lagomar.com

Rated one of the best resorts in Fort Lauderdale by Zagat Full-service spa nestled amid ten lush acres on the Atlantic Ocean.