By Theresa DeMaria
Leaving the winter weather in Chicago was a welcome distraction. We left for the airport to catch our flight on an airline I had never tried—Allegiant Air. This airline is owned by the same group responsible for the resort we were heading to in Charlotte Harbor, Florida—Sunseeker Resort. Nestled between Fort Myers and Tampa is a small waterfront town where the Peace River meets the salty Gulf waters; it’s the second-largest estuary in the Sunshine State. Full of quaint old Florida character, it’s an ideal spot for families to vacation.
A little nervous about the travel aspect of this trip, I was prepared for something a bit “less than” what I am used to when flying on a major airline. However, the plane was clean, new, and the attendants were very good at their jobs. Unlike other more budget-friendly airlines, they gave you the option to select your seating, allowed a carry-on, and provided complimentary snacks. The takeoff and landing were so smooth we barely noticed when we left the ground or touched down in Punta Gorda. If you have never been to this small airport, neither had I. Parking about 2,000 feet from the airport building, we left the airplane and walked directly into the warm Florida air. A welcome balmy 70 degrees brought a smile to my and my son’s faces. We were ready to kick back and enjoy the next three days at Sunseeker Resort. Our driver met us at baggage claim, placed our luggage in the shiny new Lincoln Navigator, and said we would arrive at the property in less than 15 minutes. Did I hear that correctly—15 minutes?
Check-in was seamless and quick, and then came a great surprise—our rooms. We each had our own suite, which was not only brand new and appointed with all the luxuries of home but also overlooked the sparkling blue water. I couldn’t wait until morning to be woken up by the waves and seabirds. As Florida’s newest luxury resort, this is the first property of Sunseeker Resorts, a wholly owned subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company. Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor occupies over 22 waterfront acres with 785 guestrooms, including 189 Signature “Sunsuites,” set between the Peace River and the Florida Gulf Coast.
The next morning, after a restful night’s sleep, I walked along the resort’s waterfront promenade in search of the resort’s spa, Lorilei, where I was scheduled for a massage treatment. I waited in their resting area with a cranberry mimosa in hand to welcome me to my first day of bliss. And bliss it was! After explaining to my massage therapist where my body needed more attention, she got to work. This was unlike any massage I’ve ever had. Since I am a yoga sculpt instructor, I didn’t realize there were areas on my back that really had knots, and the attention she gave, along with her methods, provided the relief I didn’t realize I needed. Following my treatment, I walked down to the gym where a Pilates class was about to begin. I decided to join in, and it was a fantastic group class.
The Food Hall was where my sleepy son met me for a coffee at La Colombe, one of my very favorites, serving the perfect latte and croissant. Dining is at the core of Sunseeker Resort, and that’s what really makes this property stand out; it features 20 original, wholly owned food and beverage concepts, three signature restaurants, 11 bars and lounges, and this gigantic food hall. As we walked through, I was making mental notes on where I’d like to eat. They had everything from the Brick + Daisy wine bar, The Chartisan serving charcuterie, Kinderhook—a raw bar with fresh crab, Daikon noodles and sushi, Copper Cask beer garden, and for my sweet tooth, Sweet Shine patisserie and the Charlotte Parlor, a gelato shop and creperie! My issue was—how could I eat this much in three days?!
We had a reservation at Blue Level, the exclusive adults-only rooftop pool and restaurant, at noon. The pool at Blue Level was gloriously built to give you a stunning view of the Harbor via an infinity pool. We settled into our lounge chairs and decided to toast with a refreshing celebratory cocktail. What were we celebrating? Getting out of the cold! I got the spicy margarita while my son tried their mango daiquiri—so refreshing and delicious. For lunch, we shared their lobster croissant and grouper sandwich, which were incredibly fresh and satisfying. Also, do not miss the lobster tacos! Back in our lounge chairs, we both felt so grateful to feel the heat from the sunshine on our bodies and have a respite from the Chicago winter. With awe-inspiring 360-degree views, it was the perfect setting for sunset, making everyone back home envious of my posted photos.
As the day turned to evening, we returned to our rooms to get ready for our Italian dinner at Stretto Coastal Italian Table. A large brick oven serves as the centerpiece of the restaurant, a farm-to-table Italian bistro-style eatery that serves classics like chicken parmesan, fresh pasta, breads, and cheeses made on-site with fresh ingredients. We tried the burrata, crispy calamari, and blue crab pappardelle. For dessert, we enjoyed the chocolate cake and tiramisu, crafted by the award-winning Executive Pastry Chef, Patricia Nash—the perfect ending to the meal. Leaving with stomachs full and satisfied, we were ready to jump into our comfortable beds for another night’s rest.
Although golf has not been a game I enjoyed regularly, the property has an 18-hole championship-level golf club, The Aileron Golf Club, exclusive to hotel guests only, so I decided to give it a go. My son, being a seasoned athlete, was excited to see what this course had to offer. The pro shop fitted us with clubs, led us to the golf cart, and after a few rounds at the range warming up, we were ready to challenge ourselves. Being the competitors that we are, we made it into a fun game. The weather was perfectly sunny and a glorious 68 degrees. We had worked up an appetite, so we stopped at the on-site restaurant, Aileron Aviators Club & Bar, for a delightful lunch of burgers, fries, and a cold beer.
Returning from the course, my son opted to enjoy the comforts of our rooms and take a nap while I ventured to the other side of the property to check out the other pool and poolside restaurant. Probably the largest pool oasis I’ve ever seen, Reflections Pool Complex has a tropical island vibe with bayside views of Charlotte Harbor. And you won’t have to worry about seating—there are plenty of lounge chairs and cabanas. Food and beverage are served from the Waterside Table Restaurant + Bar, located between the pool oasis and Charlotte Harbor. I relaxed in a lounge chair, watching families splashing and laughing, truly enjoying their getaway.
That evening, before dinner, we watched the most colorful sunset I’ve ever seen over the Gulf of Mexico. With a drink in hand, we toasted to a wonderful couple of days in the sun. The day of indulgence wasn’t over yet. We were heading to Maury’s for dinner to satisfy our surf-and-turf dreams. The design of this restaurant reminded me of scenes from an old Hollywood movie. The steakhouse menu offers selections of aged beef and sustainable seafood, along with an impressive 600-bottle wine list. My son, a steak connoisseur, had the Black Angus filet while I devoured the pan-seared diver scallops with a blood orange reduction.
We ended our last evening at Allegiant Stadium Sports Table Tap, watching an NFL playoff game in a club chair. With 60+ large-screen TVs, it was amazing. I bet it’s the perfect place to watch the Super Bowl or any other championship match. This cool spot is open daily for lunch, dinner, and late-night sports action.
The next morning, it was time to head back to Chicago, but not without a wonderful breakfast at Saddle Creek Grill. We both enjoyed fresh eggs and a stack of blueberry pancakes. Sunseeker Resort truly exceeded my expectations, and I can’t wait to go back again.
For more information, visit sunseekerresorts.com.
