Article By Nanette Wiser
ESCAPE PODS
From “Me Sheds” in backyards to remote retreats for distance learners and workers at hotels, your newest adventure may be a “daycation” for you and/or your kids. Some Florida resorts offer work from hotels with special Florida resident rates, resort credits and free WiFi. In Central Florida, Margaritaville Resort Orlando, Encore Resort at Reunion and others cater to remote work-cations where the kids can hit the pool after online school.
Club Wyndham offers noise-cancelling headphones and a bottle of wine for parents and backpack school essentials for kids in Orlando, Bonnett Creek Resort in central Florida; Park City, UT; Branson, MO; and Williamsburg, VA.
A hidden gem, YVE Miami offers stunning Bayfront views with a friendly team ready to welcome you with social distancing measures in place, including shields between guests and staff in common areas, new individually wrapped food options and meals can be delivered to the comfort of your room, and all the essentials are free of charge like masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and Wi-Fi access to keep you connected. Exclusive room rates start at $89/night.
At the center of Fifth Avenue’s celebrated collection of restaurants, sidewalk cafes, upscale boutiques, and one-of-a-kind galleries sits the Inn on Fifth and Club Level Suites. A landmark of luxury in downtown Naples and just blocks from the Gulf of Mexico, the Inn is home to the Spa on Fifth, Truluck’s Seafood Steak and Crab House, and Ocean Prime Naples. Through October 30, the Inn on Fifth and Club Level Suites will offer Florida residents 25% off* best available rates Sunday through Thursday nights and 20% off* best available rates Friday and Saturday nights.
Closer to home, Tradewinds Island Grand Resort offers two retreat packages:
• Work from Paradise
• Learn from Paradise
The “Learn from Paradise” program provides an ideal learning environment for students and a much-needed break for parents with the creation of the Learning Lounge. This supervised, specially designated area offers plenty of socially distanced work stations available from 7am to 5pm during the week. With stations organized into zones based on grade level, the Lounge also features open study spots, and an area for brain breaks where students can relax or play one of the games provided.
TradeWinds will also provide both a “study buddy” and a certified E-Learning specialist to assist distance learners with online classes and homework from 10am to 2pm each weekday, at no extra charge to guests. To help round out their school day, students may choose to enjoy scheduled PE and Art programming, take a stretching and mindfulness break, and can buy lunch from a special menu.
The “Work from Paradise” program. Designated working lounges have been created within the resort’s redesigned meeting spaces, allowing for social distancing to provide a safe, optimal work environment with reliable Wi-Fi access. For more privacy, the resort’s spacious suites make a perfect temporary office space. Complimentary beach cabanas are also an option for an enviable Zoom background.
Why not take the family on an educational field trip? At Discovery Cove Resort, Florida residents save 20% on reservations and get a complimentary drink package ($40 value); guests can rebook without penalties or fees up to 48 hours prior to reservation. This all-inclusive day resort allows guests to interact with dolphins, snorkel among thousands of tropical fish and rays, hand-feed exotic birds, and encounter playful otters. Relax and explore rocky lagoons surrounded by lush landscaping, tropical reefs, winding rivers and white, sandy beaches. Freshly prepared meals, snacks and beverages throughout the day and swim gear are included.