Portofino Resort is an affordable first-class family destination

By Tara E. Smith

Although I have witnessed the beauty of the small picturesque fishing village of Portofino located on the Italian Riviera, I have since discovered my own Riviera on the pristine beaches of Florida’s Emerald Coast at the Portofino Island Resort and Spa on Santa Rosa Island.

Just a few hours drive from most major cities in southeastern United States, Portofino is a great affordable family destination. Santa Rosa Island, located several miles from Pensacola, Florida, has always been a favorite destination for me and my family. And now that that Portofino Resort has emerged, we have found a haven that has the amenities of a five-star hotel along with all the benefits of home.

Portofino Sky Homes

When we first arrived at Portofino, we were impressed with the size of the gated-resort that spans both the Gulf of Mexico and the Santa Rosa Bay sides of the island. The resort consists of five towers that are true architectural gems. Each two or three-bedroom “sky lab homes” offers spectacular views from every window. I was quite impressed with the spacious and luxurious two-bedroom Mediterranean-inspired sky home during our visit.  My daughter exclaimed, “Oh, Mom, this is the best condo we have ever stayed at!”  And I agree.

The two-bedroom 1503-square-foot sky home has an outside elegant balcony with columns that wrap around the home with entrances from both bedrooms and the living room. The balcony also boasts a gas grill with table and chairs to enjoy the beautiful view of the bay and gulf. The three-bedroom sky homes boast 2506 square feet of space.

The fully-equipped European-designed modern kitchens have everything you need to prepare a meal for your family with a formal dining area as well. The spacious living room boasts a sofa/sleeper along with a television, stereo and high-speed internet. And I especially liked the design of the sky homes since the master bedroom complete with a Roman whirlpool bath in the master bathroom is on one side and the kids’ bedroom on the other. And yes, the kids have their own bathroom as well. There is an additional half bathroom adjacent to the kitchen. The kids also have their own television in their room.  And of course the extra perks of having a condo include an indoor washer/dryer in the home as well.

I must comment that of all the condos I have stayed out in the Florida area, this has been the most pristine and beautiful that I have ever seen. It’s like staying at a five-star hotel with the perks of a condominium and yes, they give you luxurious towels to take home with you as a souvenir.

Each tower has its own 70-foot heated swimming pool with a whirlpool spa and an underground parking garage for an extra measure of safety and convenience for guests.  And nearby elevators are located at each corridor of the garage. There are also bellhops who will assist with luggage.

Lifestyle Center and Dining

Although each tower has its private pool, we chose to primarily swim at the Lifestyle Center, centrally located within the five towers. The Spa at the Lifestyle Center boasts a heated indoor pool inspired by classic European spas with a wood-beamed ceiling perfect for lap swimmers or in our case, a rainy day. The Lifestyle Center also offers two large-outside pools and Jacuzzis with a perfect view of the bay. All seven Portofino pools feature chlorine-free water, so swimming is great.

We especially loved the pool-side service of the Cobalt Bar and the Terracotta Grille in which guests can order tropical drinks or enjoy a grilled hamburger or hot dog among many other lunch entrees from the affordable casual menu. I especially liked the idea of having a restaurant on the premises. Although a family can save money by cooking and grilling in their sky home, Mom may need a night or two of dining out at the Terracotta Dining Room, which offers an impressive wine list and fine cuisine, such as fresh local seafood, steaks and continental specialties prepared by a gourmet chef in an upscale dining atmosphere. However, we found the dinner menu to be a little more expensive than we anticipated, especially if you bring the entire family. Or for those who want a romantic evening at your home away from home, you can hire a personal chef to prepare a meal in the comfort of your sky home.

From Yoga and Pilates to tennis and belly-dancing, the Lifestyle Fitness Center offers just about any type of class you can imagine along with strength-training machines, treadmills, a steam room and sauna.  And you can hire a personal trainer or a tennis instructor.  There are additional charges if you decide to take a class or hire a trainer.

The Spa, although I could not fit this in my itinerary, offers customized body treatments, massage therapy, facials, and salon services. In-residence and poolside massage services are available. And, guests can experience the ultimate rejuvenation at Portofino's new Medical Spa facility featuring the latest techniques in cosmetic surgery and wellness programs.

Portofino Island Adventures

We were impressed with the fact that the resort stretches across both the bayside and gulf side of the island. On the bayside, we could enjoy Portofino’s “Island Adventures” such as sailing lessons, inland bay fishing, kayaking and a water trampoline. Our kids were content on wading in the bay, searching for hermit crabs and swinging in the hammocks.  We loved the Portofino Water Taxi, a 65-foot Catamaran that takes guests for a ride on the bay to the Portofino Boardwalk. The Boardwalk offers entertainment, dining and shopping. The kids loved this! Our favorite restaurant at the boardwalk was Hemmingway’s. Inspired by the Ernest Hemmingway era, who happens to be one of my favorite writers, guests dine in a Caribbean style atmosphere while enjoying an open roof bar to capture the blue skies and starry nights of Pensacola Beach. The full menu offers a selection of steaks, seafood and gourmet cuisine. And there is much Hemmingway memorabilia to purchase at the gift shop.

After a fun morning at the boardwalk, we went back to our room, got on our swimsuits and were ready to head to the beach. Santa Rosa offers some of the most pristine beaches on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Whether building sand castles, dodging waves or searching for sea shells, the beach is directly across the road from Portofino Resort. Although it is not a far walk, guests can call upon the trams to take them directly to the beach. The resort also offers beach chairs and umbrellas for guests. Surf camps, parasailing, windsurfing, jet skis and kayaking are offered to Portofino guests as well.

Family Adventures

Portofino’s Recreation staff has numerous programs and activities for the kids designed to keep families playing together including water games and special holiday events.  They also offer seasonal camps such as the Pirates Camp (ages 8-12) and Pirates Club (ages 4-12) which uses Portofino’s natural island environment to serve as a living laboratory. Each day has a special exploration focus such as marine biology or ecology along with some fun time of swimming and playing on the beach. There is also a Kidz Night Out (ages 4-12) with moonlight turtle hunts and ghost crab excursions along with dinner and crafts. Childcare services are also available.

Affordable Vacation for Families

We absolutely loved our trip to Portofino and plan to return every year. I found the resort to be very affordable for a family of four. There are very few places one can go, lose the car keys and feel as though you have everything you need at your fingertips. And for those wishing to make a day trip, Portofino is also located about 45 minutes from Destin, which has the outlet malls and a ton of other activities.

For more information about Portofino Island Resort and Spa, visit their website at http://www.portofinoisland.com or call 877-484-3405 to make your reservations.