Day one and we are greeted with a GRAND surprise. After arriving in Ft. Lauderdale [the airport is undergoing renovation and is a mess] we were greeted by our big, black Cadillac Escalade and driven to The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, about a ten-minute ride. We were fully expecting to have to wait for our rooms as we were so early. Our flight arrived at 6:22AM. Jimmy and I approached the registration desk waiting for the bad news. “I am sorry, but we don’t have three rooms made up yet but let me check with my supervisor and see if something can be done.” They gave us the 3-bedroom Presidential Suite. When we walked into the suite we were like The Beverly Hillbillies… “look Jeb, indoor plumbing, and a real electric ice-box.” It’s huge. My bedroom is up a curved staircase. The grand fan-shaped room overlooks the beach with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows. My bathroom is as big as the bedroom, with a shower bigger than my bedroom back home. The Jacuzzi tub is sunken on a marble platform. All the rooms have en suite baths, large, furnished balconies and giant TVs. There is a full kitchen with all new appliances. The great room has a fan-shaped balcony that mirrors the one upstairs. It is for all practicality a high-end apartment.
While Dotty took a nap, the Three Musketeers went up to the Ilios Restaurant for a light repast. We sat outside by the pool overlooking the beach. We were not disappointed. Alas, we have it for but one night.