Walk into the marble lobby and you’ll know that the Atlantic is all about upscale luxury and pampering. Most guestrooms offer balconies with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, while the living areas are more than roomy and offer sleek, hardwood furnishings with clean lines and all the comforts of home. Bathrooms, by the way, are just as roomy. Large closets contain complimentary spa robes, and a generous built-in kitchen houses a mini-bar, fridge, range and coffee maker.

Once you’ve checked out the Atlantic’s pool and beach facilities, you’ll definitely want to visit their spa – which is truly magic, due to its unique treatments. The 7,000 square foot European-styled spa offers eight treatments rooms.

Spa Atlantic looks like a spa, it smells like a spa, it acts like a spa, but their services are on whole different level than those offered at most spas. In addition to a comprehensive list of traditional spa treatments, Spa Atlantic has just rolled out a treatment menu that includes ‘Journeys of the Spirit’ which use key elements of ancient wisdom in order to restore personal balance. Each of the five Journeys are approximately five hours long and, since I didn’t have a spare five hours (drat!) I chose to modify the Oriental Journey to include just the facial and massage.

I arrived at the Spa early in order to take advantage of the Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. Before my treatments began, I was treated to a Welcome Ceremony. A therapist lit an aromatic candle and offered me a cup of tea before providing me with a neck wrap and wrapping my feet in hot towels as I inhaled the soothing scents of ylang ylang and vanilla. Left on my own for a few minutes, I could feel myself slipping away into a relaxed state that was a portent of things to come.  

My Oriental Aromasoul Massage was sheer bliss. It incorporated elements of Tui Na, an ancient Chinese technique to work deeply with energy channels of the body, opening up meridians to expel negative energy and stimulate the flow of vital energy. The fifty-minute treatment sped by and at the end of it I was in a blissful state resembling a relaxed stupor.

On to my Oriental Absolute Pearl facial. I was placed on a warm table with my legs comfortably raised before my therapist applied cleansing milk to my face. This was followed by exfoliation and a soothing mask. Once the therapist had turned on the steam treatment, she treated me to a hand and arm massage before my hands were creamed, covered with plastic and placed in warm mittens. This was followed by a mask of bearberry, licorice, pearl powder and kojic acid, meant to bring light and new life to my skin. While this set for twenty minutes, I enjoyed a leg and foot massage. The final step was a Pearlessence cream to tighten the skin and, finally, a welcome cup of Oriental tea.

The entire spa journey was, indeed, like going on a trip. While I might not have actually been transported to the Orient, I was certainly taken to a place where complete relaxation and a feeling of well being and bliss reigned. Next time you’re in Fort Lauderdale, I strongly urge you to take advantage of one of Spa Atlantic’s Journeys – it will be the trip of a lifetime.  

That night, I dined at the Atlantic’s Trina Restaurant, where I sat on the patio and overlooked the beach while watching a parade of people pass by the columned space that boasts terrazzo floors and balmy breezes.

Executive chef Brian Kay recently inaugurated a new Mediterranean influenced menu, complete with the countries of origin listed beside each dish. Varied and filled with tempting dishes, Kay explained that when designing the new menu, he tried to think of five or six people he knew personally and included dishes he knew they’d enjoy, the idea being that if he could satisfy each of them, he’d have succeeded in drafting a well-rounded menu. Alternately, Kay wanted to offer a menu that would appeal to guests staying at the Atlantic for several nights, offering dishes that would interest guests in dining at Trina more than once and keep them coming back for more.

Appetizers include the chicken-based Avgolemeno Soup from Greece; Tabbouleh Salad from the Middle East and Marinated Grilled Octopus from Spain. A variety of brick-oven flatbreads are also available, while entrees include Fire Roasted Chilean Seabass from Italy, Moroccan Chicken Tagine and Braised Short Rib of Beef & Sea Scallops from France.

I chose the Taste of the Mediterranean Mezze, a sampling platter that included marinated artichokes, roasted red and yellow peppers, Greet feta cheese and olives, red pepper hummus, kefta, falafel and fresh baked pita bread. Absolutely fantastic, especially when coupled with the Michael Pozzan Pinot Noir suggested by my knowledgeable server, Rick.

My entrée of North African Garlic Shrimp incorporated perfectly cooked jumbo prawns filled with Moroccan spices and preserved lemon, finished with coconut butter sauce. The dish was a perfect presentation of prawns coupled with just enough spices to make it interesting.

Unfortunately, I was much to full by this time to indulge in the list of decadent desserts on hand at Trina, but the list boasted many unique offerings, including warm doughnuts with espresso Anglaise, milk chocolate caramel semi-freddo with warm sour cherries, Baklava and a five spice Creme Brulee.