Posted Apr 21, 2008 by kellyc Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa has become the first hotel in Broward County to receive Green Lodging certification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). By fulfilling the state's required set of best practices, the hotel is now a designated One Palm property.

"Hyatt Regency Bonaventure has been able to seamlessly weave in environmentally sensitive programs without compromising the quality experience for our guests," said Fred Euler, general manager. "This has been a hotel-wide effort incorporating all 325 employees, including our on-site Red Door Lifestyle Spa, and we are eager to continue raising the bar, especially when it comes to caring for the environment and setting standards within our community and the hotel industry."

Environmentally friendly tactics that qualified the hotel for certification includes state-approved recycling, water conservation and energy management programs. In addition to helping the environment, these initiatives have also had a significant impact on the hotel's operating costs. Within the first month of replacing the incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs throughout the 23-acre property, Hyatt Regency Bonaventure decreased its energy costs by more than $30,000. The hotel's other resourceful programs, like its organic herb garden, will soon be joined by fresh concepts, such as donating unused toiletries to local charities and providing free valet to guests with hybrid cars.

"Greater Fort Lauderdale is actively making a commitment to preserving our water resources and sensitive ecosystems that are essential components of our vibrant economy and quality of life," said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. "With Hyatt Regency Bonaventure being the first of hopefully many hotels throughout the destination to become a certified Green Lodging, we look forward to the continued greening of our tourism industry." Posted Mar 14, 2008 by Ruth H While the thought of a spa party typically conjures up images of robed women sipping tea and getting manicures, the concept is evolving as more and more non-profit organizations and businesses organize "sparties" as an engaging way to connect with members and employees. At the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure's Red Door Lifestyle Spa in Weston, fundraising and networking sparties have experienced a surge in popularity, a trend spa management attributes to the relaxed and engaging atmosphere that encourages social interaction.

"The spa provides a level of intimacy and a backdrop for conversation that is hard to replicate at a large-scale networking event or charity dinner," said Melissa Fronstin, Red Door Lifestyle Spa sales and marketing manager. "From the moment guests enter our signature red doors and cross through our Zen Garden, the sparty starts to become less of a commitment and more of an experience."

Sparties at Red Door Lifestyle Spa begin with drinks and appetizers in the Bamboo Spa Cafe followed by a sampling of mini-treatments at different areas throughout the spa. Mini-treatments include everything from neck, shoulder and hand massages to eyebrow shaping, nail buffs, paraffin treatments and make-up refreshers. Guests travel through the spa in groups no larger than 10 people in order to maintain the intimate atmosphere.

"Our sparty was perfect because it wasn't strictly a fundraiser," said St. Bonaventure Church event chair Tracey Smith, who recently held the church's annual auction at Red Door. "We were able to raise money, but it turned into more of a get together where we were able to socialize. The spa does all the entertaining for you, so you can actually relax, mingle and become one of the guests."

Sparties begin at a rate of $1,500 and can accommodate up to 50 guests. They are individually tailored to meet the needs of the group and typically start at 6 p.m. To book a sparty, please call (954) 349-5500. For more information about the spa, please visit www.reddoorlifestylespa.com. Posted Mar 14, 2008 by Ruth H Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa is a recipient of a 2007 "Gold Tee" award, naming the property one of the best golf meeting destinations in the world. Chosen by the readers of Meetings and Conventions (M&C) magazine, only 70 domestic and seven international hotels and resorts made the cut for this elite group.

"Golfing is one of the most popular leisure activities incorporated into meeting itineraries, and we pride ourselves in providing our guests with the highest quality experience both at the hotel and on the course," said Fred Euler, general manager. "Through our partnership with Bonaventure Country Club, we are able to offer our guests championship golf on some of the most scenic fairways and greens in South Florida."

Two 18-hole PGA championship courses are located within a mile of the hotel, and transportation is provided to guests. The East course features a magnificent waterfall hole that provides a challenging and exhilarating experience for players of all skill levels. Other highlights include a driving range, putting green, pro shop, locker rooms, club and shoe rental, and golf lessons and clinics.