It was another great day in Florida. We started with breakfast at the Skinny Rooster. Thanks to Kristi O. for the suggestion! Breakfast was outside with nice shade cover and a beautiful pond.
Upon return to the hotel, we took a guided tour to learn more about the history. The Belleview Biltmore first opened in January of 1897. Today it is the world's largest occupied wooden structure. We have also learned that it is closing on May 31 for renovations/restoration and will be closed for 2-3 years, they believe. While on the tour, we also learned that now President Obama and his staff stayed here at the hotel a few months prior to his presidential win. AND, he stayed just two doors down from where our room is!
Below is a photo of the tunnel system beneath the hotel. The tunnels were used by the servants as well as to move luggage to the freight elevator. Guests back in the day would often stay for four months at a time. Nanny's were brought with the families to watch the children and the nanny's were placed in the attic to sleep.
A library within the hotel.
More hotel pictures.
The rest of the day was spent at the beach. The sight you see below was our view for about three hours. Not to fear, Justin is not burnt!
And a final highlight, we enjoyed dinner at the Island Way Grill, suggested by a hotel van driver today. All we can say is AWESOME. We were lucky to be a part of the "early dinner crowd" getting a fantastic meal for a very low price. We already plan to go back before we head home.
Had to get a picture of this, we just don't see this in our hometown!
A few fun photos to end the evening. We are LOST lovers, so we're tuning into that!!
Upon return to the hotel, we took a guided tour to learn more about the history. The Belleview Biltmore first opened in January of 1897. Today it is the world's largest occupied wooden structure. We have also learned that it is closing on May 31 for renovations/restoration and will be closed for 2-3 years, they believe. While on the tour, we also learned that now President Obama and his staff stayed here at the hotel a few months prior to his presidential win. AND, he stayed just two doors down from where our room is!
Below is a photo of the tunnel system beneath the hotel. The tunnels were used by the servants as well as to move luggage to the freight elevator. Guests back in the day would often stay for four months at a time. Nanny's were brought with the families to watch the children and the nanny's were placed in the attic to sleep.
A library within the hotel.
More hotel pictures.
The rest of the day was spent at the beach. The sight you see below was our view for about three hours. Not to fear, Justin is not burnt!
And a final highlight, we enjoyed dinner at the Island Way Grill, suggested by a hotel van driver today. All we can say is AWESOME. We were lucky to be a part of the "early dinner crowd" getting a fantastic meal for a very low price. We already plan to go back before we head home.
Had to get a picture of this, we just don't see this in our hometown!
A few fun photos to end the evening. We are LOST lovers, so we're tuning into that!!
