To the Hilt(on) and A Love Affair with Old Hotels, Anthony Watkins [some good books to read .TXT] 📗

of the Everglades and other places, and Guy Harvey Prints,and old photos of the hotel and of Delray and official plats from the city are framed and hung throughout.
Of course there was a TV in the room, but it was so romantic to sit and talk, to have a cocktail, to read, to just curl up in the very comfortable bed, we never turned it on. Also, I am sure the absence of this almost omnipresent laptop, didn't hurt:) But the overall experience, seemed like we had travel far away to some tropical island, but unlike so many horror stories you hear, ALL the natives were friendly at the Colony!, From the front desk to the nice young lady who bused our tables at the complimentary full buffet breakfast, eggs, bacon, sausage, and a real treat: Porridge! served with brown sugar on the side! and of course the assortment of toast and cereal and fresh juices and very good coffee, served in pretty china cup and saucer, but then the rest of the food came with the same pattern china bowls and plates, and of course real flatware, not exactly the styrofoam plates and bowls and plastic forks at most of the breakfast bars I have been to in chain hotels.
But as beautiful as it is, and it probably isnt quite as beautiful as the National or the Bourbon Orleans, it is in truly beautiful condition and the staff goes out of their way to help, from the manager who insisted ..ing me carry the two hot cups of coffee and toast and fruit up to our room so my sleepyhead could have breakfast in bed. I mean he INSISTED, I didn't ask, to the lady who cleans the rooms who saw me coming back from the ice machine and offed to hold the bucket while i got my room key out of my pocket.
I have never met the owners, a family that has owned the place since 1935. And they could all be a bunch of Leona Hemsleys, but I doubt it. The staff is so infused with a love of the place and of the guests, that one suspects it has to come from a family who truly loves to serve the public. In the very best tradition of innkeepers around the world, The Colony makes one want to check but really regret having to check out. We will be back often!, By the way, they gave us an unasked for upgrade, from queen to king, and also gave us a 10% discount, from the stated price, again, we did not ask for a discount or complain about any service, especially as there were service lapses to complain about!
I can't guarantee you the free upgrade nor the unexpected discount, but I can promise you, I am certain that you will fall in love with the Colony, if you ever have a chance to go. There is also a private beach club a couple of miles away that you have access to for the day, but we couldn't bring ourselves to leave the building:)

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Publication Date: 11-21-2009

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