Innisbrook, A SALAMANDER RESORT
By Griffin Miller
Tampa Bay’s Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf Resort and Spa, was once almost exclusively synonymous with golf. After all, it occupies a lush landscape made up of 900 wooded acres peppered with 72 gutsy holes spanning four courses, including it’s acclaimed—recently renovated—7,340 yard Copperhead Course, home to the PGA Tour’s annual Valspar Championship.
While dedicated duffers and international golf publications rank conspicuously among Innisbrook’s promoters, it also shines brightly for family R&R and a haven for vacationers who want nothing more than to relax; it has a lot more going for it than rolling greens and tournaments.
FAMILY PHENOMENAL
Of course, if you want to introduce your kids or significant other to the glories of golf, then it is possible. As you might expect, Innisbrook is home to first-tier instructors headed by Class-A PGA pro, Dawn Mercer—who brings Golf 101 to the fabulous program. Also available are tennis clinics (juniors and adults), weekly lessons for 10 and under, plus holiday and summer kid’s tennis camps. And, FYI, there’s also racquetball for those so inclined.
As for kids (particularly the younger set) who might not gravitate to clubs and rackets, there’s the resort’s Loch Ness Monster Pool with two amazing water slides, a 15-foot waterfall, sand beach areas, water volleyball, plunge pool with jets and, fountain. Loch Ness Central is also where you can score bikes for family rides throughout Innisbrook’s beautiful haven of diverse foliage.
POUR ON THE PAMPERING
As an avid spa aficionado, I can honestly report that the Salamander Spa at Innisbrook is five-star all the way, from its front desk staff to its estheticians to its savvy menu and luxurious ambiance. Clearly, it is a place of escape where cell phones are silenced, and you’re wrapped in snuggly robes that need only come off for treatments or after you slip behind the glass doors leading to the steam room and hot tub. Here, you can sign on for outdoor yoga classes or book a simple mani-pedi that turns out to be as luxe as a signature massage, body treatment or facial.
Speaking of mani-pedis, these are an attractive option with 12- to 17-year-olds, as are often makeup applications (the best!). It’s worth noting too that, unlike other exclusive spas, there is no strict age limit on massages, facials and other services, the sole caveat being that, if a child is under 16, a parent or guardian needs to be in the room during the service. Oh yes—while the couple’s treatment room seems custom made for mom and dad, at Salamander it gets equally high marks as a mini-retreat for mom-daughter bonding.
THE FOOD FACTOR
Four restaurants cover most on-site dining needs: Packard’s Steakhouse (upscale and laid-back), Market Salamander Grille (fresh seasonal offerings), Turnberry Pub (casual with a golf course view) and The Grill at Loch Ness (poolside), as well as Osprey Sports Bar (quick bites). Picnickers, families and “do not disturb” types will want to visit Market Salamander where chef-prepared items are available for purchase and, as the literature notes: “We can assist with grocery shopping for in-suite preparation.”
Innisbrook’s restaurants, while known for their quality American menus and ingredients, are also building a reputation for dishing up monthly specials. As for April, three of the resort’s eateries will be rocking Grilled Cheese Day on the 12th. Gastronomic creativity is alive, well, and off the charts at Innisbrook.
SUITE & SAVORY
Accommodations at Innisbrook are as unique as its personality. There are no mega-hotels here but rather a collection of low-rise buildings with Mansard-inspired roofs—befitting the original 1970’s architectural concept—tucked away in tree-studded clusters throughout the sprawling resort. There are four categories of rooms ranging from Deluxe Guestroom to Two-Bedroom Suite—all with the usual upscale features—Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, high-end bedding and toiletries, daily maid service and so on. All can accommodate four guests comfortably (the two-bedroom suite is large enough for a family of four). Suites also include a living room or parlor and either a full kitchen or kitchenette. For me, this meant brewing my daily cup of coffee and sipping it leisurely on my private veranda before heading out for the day.
OFF CAMPUS
To maximize a Tampa Bay visit, it doesn’t hurt to explore—even if it means leaving your comfort zone behind. Empower Adventures Zip-Line Tour (zipontampabay.com) is a good (excuse the pun), jumping off point. And as it turned out, the experience was more exhilarating than scary (although adrenaline among the vertigo set pumped rather loudly until we got our bearings). Various programs are available, including an “extreme” version and another that takes place after dark.
Other recommended off-site options include taking a complimentary shuttle from the resort to Honeymoon Island State Park where you can pick up a ferry to Caladesi Island—voted America’s Most Romantic Beach. Also not far from Innisbrook is Tarpon Springs, the world’s sponge-diving capital where one can head out to sea with a sponge-diving captain (not too shabby), or take in the shops where myriad goods are up for sale including, you guessed it, sponges of every size and shape imaginable.
For more information on Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf Resort and Spa, visit innisbrookgolfresort.com.
Griffin Miller, Spa Editor, specializes in spa travel and New York theater. Griffin’s resume includes writing for The New York Times, For the Bride and Hotels. She also creates promotional materials for the Metropolitan Opera, BAM and Guggenheim Museum. A member of The New York Travel Writers’ Association, she is a playwright and award-winning collage artist. She is married to Richard Sandomir of The New York Times.
