Vero Beach, Florida July 2008: After much talk, lots of intrigue, the ultra conservative town of Vero Beach, Florida finally had its first look inside Gloria Estefan’s new 50 Million dollar beach resort Costa d' Este in June 2008. For us residents of Vero anything would have been better then all those many years of staring at the eyesore beach front properties formally occupied by the Day’s Inn and Howard Johnson, then the Palm Court. What a disaster! Then came the hurricanes in 2004, Jean and Francis, that delivered the much needed fatel punch. Finally they were at least closed down. Prior to the hurricanes Gloria and Emillo her husband were just planning to do gradual renovations. For us Veroites we were all hoping every day we would hear the sweet sound of bulldozers totally clearing that beach ghetto. Fortunately for us Gloria and Emillo quickly came up with a new plan.

Miracles still do happen! Gloria Estefan and Emillo had a new bigger vision and that vision was to take place on our beach. Yep, right here where for two decades we had to apologize to our visitors as to why we didn’t have any quality accommodations. That vision was too good to be true. Wow! It sounded great, the renderings look great but was it really going to happen? Would our tunnel vision local government find some way to continue to retard our tourist development once again? Least we forget the wonderful beach front Marriott project that was stymied by our city fathers many years ago. In order for this project to move ahead quickly it was necessary for them to work around the footprint and part of the structure of the previous buildings.

For well over 3 years we were hearing of an opening scheduled for January 2008. Like Robert Benchley, we were “watching” the bustle of activity on the site. Then, January February and March passed us by and still no opening? Finally word leaked out that June would be the magic month. Yes, June 2008. As usual, like my wife says, “when my ship comes in I will probably at the airport” and so it was, I was in Dallas, Texas when the long awaited event took place. I suppose it was no big deal since my name wasn’t on the invite list anyway. However my wife and her fem-fatal posse somehow penetrated security and managed to see a sneak preview and grab a quick drink during the pre opening week. My wife would never have done this by herself, that’s just not Dr. Molly, but for her former flight attendant friends, this “uninvited party penetration” was an almost weekly occurrence in their past.

Molly and her friends couldn’t wait to text message me to say “they were in and it’s great”. Typical, what’s great? The food? The drinks? The decor? I tried to call her but to no avail since the noise level overpowered her cell phone’s vanity ringer, Beethoven 9th. If her phone rang like a normal phone she may have heard it. Later that evening I received a voice message on my cell phone from Molly. “You will love it, It is very South Beach, Latin, great woods, stone and mirrors, very much alive, just what “Zero Vero” needs”. Zero Vero is what the local trust fund kids lovingly refer to Vero Beach as.

Nestled on Florida’s east coast in the ocean-side community of Vero Beach lies an exquisite world-class retreat surrounded by white sand beaches and lush natural views. Specifically designed to pamper, relax and inspire, this Personal Luxury Resort that seamlessly blends Four-Star accommodations with an array of the finest amenities, eagerly awaits your arrival.  I report you be the judge, as they say!

Nearby airports: Melbourne International Airport (MLB – 39 miles) Palm Beach International Airport (PBI – 80 miles) Orlando International Airport (MCO – 110 miles) Vero Beach Municipal Airport.

Fast forward to July 22, 2008. Now that I am back from Dallas, it was time for me to see firsthand just what these girls were talking about. I choose a Tuesday late lunch. I arrived at 1:40 in the midst of one of those torrential rainy Florida summer afternoons. The girls were right, excellent lobby, good use of color and lighting. To the right is a long corridor leading to the 94 guest rooms, but first you must pass the Orinte Restaurant and Lounge on the left and, my destination. Now here is something the Treasure Coast doesn’t have, a real international restaurant, not just a Cuban, restaurant. Orinte has a blending of European, and South American cuisine as well. The Culinary responsibilities are in the hands of Chef David Rodriguez, a well seasoned (no pun intended) master in the kitchen and graduate of the CIA. He is a member of the American Culinary Federation and the renowned Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Orinte Restaurant also serve up some weird classic Cuban cuisine like vaca frita -- that's literally "fried cow" for those of you who don't speak Español. The name Oriente comes from the name of a region or province in Cuba . The house signature is Tapas, or little plates, which are available in Oriente's restaurant, bar and pool bar. Continuous service is provided in the restaurant throughout the day and well into the evening.

The gal who greeted me at the maître d stand was friendly, and inviting as she showed me to my table. I chose a table by the windows facing the pool and beach, but sat facing away from the beach so I could observe the room, people and how together the staff was so far. After all Costa d’ Este had only been open for 30 days. The room was about 30% full with I what expected; perhaps 50% of the guests were the JI (John’s Island) and Orchid Island crowd checking out the place. The remainder was the Resort guests and several tables of local Riomar, Moorings, and Country Club girls celebrating (O, perhaps Tuesday) with a little afternoon Champagne.

I was pleased to see a fair amount of supervision going on as several gentlemen were discretely working with the wait staff. They were overseeing setting up the tables for dinner, adding the table cloths, silverware and wine glasses. They were actually ironing the table cloths after they were placed on the table to remove the creases. The dishes and stemware were each carefully held up to the light to make sure they were sparkling clean. Now this is something you generally only see in 5 star properties. Costa d’ Este is a 4 Star.

MrFiveStar is Ron Crider, a freelance Travel and Technical writer. Ron is a world traveler, broadcaster, communications engineer, Travel TV producer and former airline executive. Crider hosts the World Travel and Dining Channel Internet radio station www.wtdradio.com. Crider is also the founder and president of www.mrfivestar.com publications. Ron can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .