Seaside Retreat

Earlier this year, only a few months after Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa opened, my sister and I booked a getaway there.

We wanted to see if the 178-room seaside retreat, one of the newest additions to the Opal Collection - an exclusive ensemble of luxury hotels - would live up to all the positive buzz it had generated.

Turns out it did.

On a site once home to a Holiday Inn, the Jensen Beach resort boasts a popular oceanfront restaurant; two pools; a signature spa; state-of-the-art event space; and a magnificent beach location ideal for sunbathing, swimming in the surf and strolling barefoot along the shore.

Hutchinson Shores is a far cry from that old inn, which was destroyed by Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Jeanne in 2004. The building sat vacant for years and fell into disrepair. Some locals even believed it was haunted.

But we won't dwell on the past, especially when the future remains so bright - and the only spirits to be found at Hutchinson Shores are in the form of alcoholic beverages at the Drift Kitchen & Bar, with its stylish lounge and chef's bar. It's a perfect contemporary setting to gather with friends to toast a day in paradise.

The resort has two other popular drinking spots: Reflections Pool Bar, which is, as its name suggests, beside one of the two pools, and the Dune Beach Bar, by the lap pool and the beach. Both serve drinks and light bites.

When it comes time to truly dine, guests will want to visit Drift Kitchen, which offers fresh seafood, Italian specialties, cocktails and a carefully curated wine list. The restaurant, popular among hotel guests and locals alike, delivers postcard-perfect views of the Atlantic Ocean. During season, which is when we visited, it's a good idea to make reservations.

We arrived at the hotel several hours before dinner and entered through an architecturally gorgeous lobby with a grand floating staircase and other elegant features, including a living green wall, a giant sand sculpture and an artistic chandelier with two huge sailfish (a nod to the area's rich fishing history) and dozens of small glass fish.

Throughout the hotel, designers used a calming palette of natural colors and driftwood accents with modern touches. A giant driftwood table imported from Ireland serves as the reservation post at Drift restaurant.

Guest rooms are a blend of beachside retreat and nautical luxury, with bold navy-and-white-striped drapes and bleached hardwood floors. To conserve energy, guests use a room card to turn on the lights, and the AC goes off when sliding doors to the patio are open.

Our room, with a pool view, was ready when we arrived. Had we arrived earlier in the day, we would have taken advantage of the Opal Club, a relaxing space outside the lobby where guests can gather while their rooms are being prepared. The club offers a vanity and towels for guests who want to waste no time getting to the beach or pool.

Because we have encountered noisy ice machines at other hotels, we requested a room away from any. But we didn't have to worry. At Hutchinson Shores, a fully stocked pantry is available on each floor with individually packaged ice and bottled water. Fresh fruit is provided in the mornings, and chocolate chip cookies are available in the evenings.

The property is so lovely that guests may not want to leave at all during their visit. But, if they do, there are many attractions in the area, including eco-adventures, museums, and eclectic shopping and dining in downtown Stuart.

History buffs won't want to miss Gilbert's Bar and House of Refuge, one of the most photographed sites on Hutchinson Island. Built in 1876, it is Martin County's oldest structure and one of 10 Houses of Refuge built along Florida's coast in the late 1800s. Docent tours are offered and recommended.

Since our stay at Hutchinson Shores, the property has added a weekly activities program that includes shell collecting, sand- castle-building contests, corn hole competitions, dive-in movies, yoga and evening drum circles on the beach. The Opal Spa at Hutchinson Shores has expanded its services and offers signature massages, facials, reflexology sessions and body treatments.

My sister and I are already planning our return trip. O

Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa is located at 3793 N.E. Ocean Blvd., Jensen Beach. For more information, call 877-502-4653 or visit hutchinsonshores.com.