We're driving home from Daytona Beach when I hear my husband on his handheld telling a friend, "I love The Shores. This place makes men look good." We were returning from a weekend at The Shores Resort & Spa, a different way to do Daytona. The resort, and its restaurant, Azure, are the destination's only AAA Four Diamond establishments.

Let the details enlighten: a grand porte-cochere welcomes guests; regal cabanas surround the oceanside pool; classic Adirondacks encircle fire pits fronting the wild Atlantic. And there's a spa. Surprising? Perhaps. Luxurious? Absolutely – with romantic possibilities.
The Shores puts in all the thought for you with its collection of romance-themed packages that play up the resort's – and your relationship's – best features.


Romance Redefined

For our first wedding anniversary, my husband spent weeks planning a surprise getaway for the two of us. Every outing, our accommodations and entertainment – even special touches in the room and at meals – he premeditated.

Four years and a baby later, planning means a call on his drive home to determine which take-out spot he should hit. We've evolved (devolved?) together. My notion of romance these days is a little less chocolate-covered strawberry and a little more desperate housewife: cook for me, clean for me – now that's sexy. Though it wouldn't hurt if you served me a fruity drink by the pool.


Romance Redux

Yet there we were at The Shores, lounging between the crystalline pool and the crashing Atlantic, breeze-rustled palms in view, under the cover of a cabana. I think we turned lounging into an art that day. Outstretched on our oversized chaise, I ordered my fruity drink, lunch to share with my sweetie and another fruity drink.

Even better? Apart from entering the resort's address into the GPS, my husband didn't have to invest a second in planning. The Shores puts in all the thought for you with its collection of romance-themed packages that play up the resort's – and your relationship's – best features.


An Affair to Remember

Reserve "An Affair to Remember" for champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries upon arrival, a couple's massage or purifying ritual bath at The Shores' Indulge Spa (where a softly-lit, subtly-hued passage leads to one of six comfortable couple's treatment rooms) and dinner and breakfast for two from Azure.

The restaurant's richly-styled interior and casual terrace let you choose your ambience, but I like the romance of room service – the bright-white moon illuminating the midnight-blue sea from our balcony provided an eye-candy accompaniment to our Floribbean Lobster Tail with Lime Buerre Blanc Sauce and baby arugula salad sweetened with poached pears.


Playin' Hooky

Couples who can't wait for the weekend can "Play Hooky at The Shores," an escape between Sunday and Thursday with rose petal turndown service, water-view accommodations, strawberries and champagne upon arrival and Azure credit – all at a discounted price.


First Kiss...Again

Or, experience your "First Kiss...Again" with rose petals sprinkled about your four-poster repose, flirtatiously skimmed by butterfly netting and topped with linens that beg you to melt into bed. A couple's spa treatment is also included, but the key here is cabana dining. Draw your cabana drapery just so to reveal sky, shore, pool – or draw the sides down to focus solely on each other. Your welcome distractions are a butler serving your selection from Azure and the rhythmic waves, inviting a post-repast stroll. Here, romance seems to roll in with the tide as you walk the beach hand in hand.

Naturally, a sweet evening deserves a sweet ending. Relax in a pair of Adirondack chairs around The Shores' fire pits beneath that great, white moon. Indulge in champagne or s'mores (also part of the "First Kiss" package) – and the fact that you didn't have to plan any of this. That's how a husband's love affair with The Shores began, and how one desperate housewife rekindled her ideals of romance.

For more information on planning an a romantic getaway to The Shores Resort & Spa, call 888-377-0325 or visit www.shoresresort.com.