Family Vacations are a time of exploration, excitement, and the creation of new memories. It’s a time for parents and kids to get away from the monotony of day to day life and reconnect on a deeper level. The Hutchinson Shores Resort and Spa is a quick two and a half hour drive from Miami and just eight miles from Downtown Stuart, named Coastal Living’s America’s Happiest seaside town. Here you will find smiling faces, family friendly activities, and a beautiful seaside escape.
This coastal inspired boutique hotel was opened on October 13, 2017. It has 178 rooms, 8 suites, 2 pools, 8,000 sq feet of event space and a sky bridge on the fourth floor that connects the two towers. Hutchinson Shores Resort and Spa is tucked away on the Atlantic ocean and features stunning beachfront views. They have a modern fitness center featuring premium cardio equipment, weights and mats. If you in search of some zen they offer an ongoing yoga series.The tranquil full service spa provides reflexology, custom facials, and varying styles of massage.
At Hutchinson Shores Resort and Spa you will find delicious dining options. Drift kitchen + Bar provides multiple options for an enjoyable dining experience. You can grab something quick at the chefs bars, have a lunch on the verandah, or reserve a private dining experience. The cuisine is full of fresh seafood and Italian inspired dishes.The barista bar blends fresh juices and you can get your caffeine fix with any of their freshly made handcrafted drinks.
Drift Kitchen + Bar , Dune beach bar and the bar at Reflections pool feature custom cocktails. Enjoy stunning views of the Atlantic from Dune bar while you sip on delicious cocktails. Early birds rejoice, they offer an a la carte breakfast as well as a buffet. The a la carte menu is served from 7am-11am on the weekends. The buffett is 8am-11am on sundays, if occupancy is above seventy percent during the week the breakfast buffet will be available. They offer assorted pastries, cereals, fruit, coffee and eggs. You can also get eggs benedict or short rib hash from off the a la carte menu.
For lunch on day one I opted for a Mahi Mahi sandwich with a side of cilantro coleslaw. I washed it down with an IPA from Deep Blue Brewery. Deep Blue brewing of Clearwater, Fl provides two delicious local beers for the resort. We are all about supporting local businesses and these beer certainly do not disappoint. The featured beverages are an IPA and a Tangerine wheat beer. I have had had quite a few fruit based beers but this one was a standout.
It was light, refreshing, and full of flavor. My wife had the mahi mahi tacos with cilantro coleslaw and enjoyed every single bite. After trying the tacos poolside the next day there I totally understood what my wife had raved about the day prior. For dinner we got dressed in our best beach chic clothing and headed downstairs. The restaurant is a little dressier at dinner but don’t worry you can leave the suit and tie at home. We shared the crab cake with corn salad.
The crab cake had large lumps of fresh crab that just melted in our mouths. For the main course we opted for the blue crab & grouper and bbq pork chop. The grouper was perfectly flaky and the blue crab really accentuated the dish. Florida grouper is delicious and when you come you absolutely have to try the light ,flaky fish.The pork chop was juicy and the sides of mac & cheese with green beans made for a satisfying meal.
Reflections and Dunes pool provide you with an optimal poolside experience. Hutchinson Shores Resort and Spa’s two heated pools feature a sun deck with loungers for your comfort as well as a heated jacuzzi. Their direct beach access is yet another amenity.Reflections is the larger pool of the two and both pools are family friendly.
The pool is well maintained and offers a great vibe for guests. Our daughter enjoyed making a splash and had to be pried away at the end of the day.When we got peckish, there were attendants on hand to offer poolside food/drink service. I would recommend grabbing any seafood item as they will be incredibly fresh.
Hutchinson Shores Resort and Spa is situated on Jensen beach. Once known as “the pineapple capital of the world”, the area has maintained its small town charm and warmth.This pristine beach is tucked between Fort Pierce and Palm beach. For over 30 years it has hosted the Pineapple festival. The inaugural festival occured in 1988 and its still going strong. The family friendly event features arts, carnival rides, pineapple inspired dishes, and a host of other fun activities.
Jensen beach also acts as a reserve for the Leatherback turtle. They have parts of the beach sectioned off so that the Leatherback turtle can lay their eggs uninterrupted.. The eggs hatch from 12am to 3 am. Once they hatch they make their way to the sea for their next great adventure. The pristine blue water and soft sand create the ideal getaway.
The resort offers horseback riding, paddle boarding, and jet skiing. Beach attendants are also on hand to assist with any requests you might have. We rented an umbrella for twenty dollars a day which was an incredible deal. Local fishing and boat charters can be arranged by the resort’s concierge.
After checking out we headed five minutes south to the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. This non-profit was established in 1964 with the mission to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education, research and advocacy. The 57-acre marine life nature center is located on Hutchinson Island which is situated between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean. It offers interactive educational programs to people of all ages.
We attended the stingray feeding which was a blast. They take place every day at 10:30 and 1pm, on Sunday the feedings occurs at 1:30pm. They have a staff of about 250 volunteers and have been serving the community for 54 years. On the preserve they have four sea turtles that weigh in at 200 pounds each.
The facility features a touch tank, butterfly garden and aquarium. When in Stuart, Fl this experience is not to be missed. The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center is a family friendly way to experience some of the awesome wildlife and ecology that can only be found in Florida.
Our two day family vacation was a relaxing and enjoyable experience. We got to bond over delicious food, sandy beaches, and lots of laughter. Traveling with family can be trying but the resort made our experience a smooth one. Friendly staff, well appointed rooms, and beautiful views made this vacation one for the books. The memories made at Hutchinson Shores Resort and Spa will last a lifetime. Go for the relaxed nautical ambiance, watch the turtles nest, and enjoy some delicious seafood. We had a lovely stay here and I’m sure you will as well.
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