On a pleasant Friday evening in March, we checked in to the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel and Spa. Right away at the front desk, we were offered free glasses of champagne — a staple every night at the IHG hotel, along with free wine starting at 4 p.m.
Our two-bedroom suite for the three of us — including my wife and 16-year-old son — was ample in size and featured a balcony overlooking the pool with a view of the ocean. As they slept in the morning, I could quietly head downstairs to grab the daily free coffee and then sneak out to the balcony and answer e-mails when not lured away from the screen to watch the waves.
The staff is truly top-notch. It’s hard to imagine a friendly group, from the valets to the pool man who set up our towels on the chaise lounge. Embarrassed that an engineer had to enter our room to check if an issue elsewhere may have affected us, the staff gave us a $50 credit.
The pool was a great spot for my son and I to toss a football. Even better was the hot tub that had water tumbling over rocks onto our heads. It was impossible not to feel refreshed after five minutes in there. Steps away, bodysurfing beckoned. We simply put our towels and shirts on the beach and tried to ride the waves.
The main restaurant, Cobalt, possesses a first-class atmosphere and features excellent seafood and filets. I ate one breakfast outside, and the view is perfect.
This was our second visit to the spot, and we couldn’t recommend it more. For a place to relax and feel at home — where at the end of eight days we felt like we had just arrived — it’s hard to beat the Kimpton.
Welcome to the Sweet Spot 