The Palm Beaches: What Grandma Thought
I’ve written about multi-generational travel from MY point of view but what does Grandma really think of the experience. I asked my Mum to pen her thoughts on our latest trip to The Palm Beaches. Enjoy! The Palm Beaches: What Grandma Thought
I, along with my daughter and 19 month old grandson, headed to The Palm Beaches, Florida for a 4 day break. Apart from the journey (which was challenging at times with a young child) the trip was great.I had the best of all worlds: I got to spend quality time with Natalie and Charlie but I also got to spend time on my own.
After arriving and picking up our rental car, we headed to the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort and Spa. I made sure I had the route on my phone when we had Wifi but my daughter quickly let me know that I wasn’t needed to give directions en route or give advice on how to drive.
Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort and Spa was wonderful: our suite had a kitchen, living room, 2 bedrooms (I got to sleep on my own) and a balcony. There was a family pool with a huge slide, an infinity pool and steps to the perfect beach. The resort in-house restaurant, 3800 Ocean, had excellent food and happily accommodated Charlie’s needs and desires, even when I needed to bring the food to the room.
We were treated like royalty at Cafe Boulud in The Brazilian Court in Palm Beach. We sat in the courtyard surrounded by lush greenery, white umbrellas and furniture, yellow walls and white-clothed tables around a fountain which completed the old Spanish ‘colonial’ decor.
Charlie ate a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich with fries which was perfect for him. Natalie had Dover Sole which was filleted at the table, and I had Spring Pea and Mint Ravioli.
With a salad to start and of course exquisite desserts, Bourbon Souffle and Chocolate and Hazelnut Mousse, we left more than satisfied and truly enriched. Cafe Boulud is a must when visiting The Palm Beaches as all our varying needs (children, vegetarian, gluten-free) were taken care of in a professional, knowledgeable and friendly manner- not to mention the delicious cuisine.
Dinner the following night was at Chez L’Epicier No. 288, a fine rustic French Canadian restaurant.
Again the staff were attentive, polite and helpful. The owners have another restaurant in Montreal which I must visit at some point.
Both Natalie and I couldn’t resist the salmon feature and we were right to have chosen it as it was delicious. They made the best Salt Caramel Bread Pudding that I have tasted anywhere. I think I may take a flight back to The Palm Beaches just for that!
Lunches were another great adventure. Our first was at Yard House in Downtown at the Gardens. The area was modern, green and consisted of small artsy stores with a carousel in the centre. All very chic and unique. Yard House was a huge sports bar with TVs, dark wood and a friendly atmosphere. The fries were excellent as Charlie ate them all and I had Bajan Fish tacos which had the perfect amount of spice. Natalie really enjoyed a huge turkey sandwich with lettuce leaves instead of bread.
The following day’s lunch was in West Palm Beach. The outdoor mall with easy parking (which is important with a little one in the car) had some familiar stores surrounding a small square. Il Bellagio Italian restaurant had a patio that added to the European ambiance. I decided to try my favourite Italian dish, Mushroom Risotto. Natalie had a delicious gluten free pasta which she thoroughly enjoyed. Shopping was not to be on the schedule as Charlie was ready for his nap.
Over the few days in The Palm Beaches, we had fun at various locations which met the needs of us all. The Loggerhead Marine life Centre, a turtle hospital and research centre, was very informative for Natalie and I but Charlie also loved it as he could get close to and watch the turtles swim around their convalescent pools.
While we were there, an injured turtle was brought in, put on a stretcher and taken into the hospital. It was covered in green algae and had a big chunk of its shell missing- very sad. 
We were lucky enough to be allowed to enter the room to see the equipment they used to help each turtle recover before being released back into the wild. Access to this hospital is international and collects more data than any other turtle research centre. The research carried out here promotes conservation of ocean ecosystems with a special focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles.
The Rapids Water Park was just about empty when we were there apart from a couple of school groups. It was massive in both area and in the height of some of the slides. Natalie and Charlie enjoyed the ‘Lazy River’ while I watched the bags; just like my mother did when my children were small! There were different areas for different ages, but any kid at heart would love the excitement and experience.
Charlie loved the South Florida Science Centre and Aquarium and so did I! We played with Lego, testing out ramps with wheels; we ran around the playground and made dams and rivers in the waterway section of the Discovery Area for up to 6 year olds. 
Charlie, at my request, would let boats navigate the river I had made. Both he and I enjoyed putting sticks into the wall for them to light up.
Next door, The Palm Beach Zoo had a huge wading pool in a central area as a meeting place and the start of an exploration of this animal kingdom.
Charlie loved the monkeys and lemurs. We took small cups of nectar into the Lorikeets’ cage where the colourful birds sat on our arms and hands to feed.
Although it was Natalie’s nightmare (she hates birds), Charlie and I loved having the birds so close. I am not sure they liked being so close to him as he wasn’t always content to just watch them.
Multi-generational travel is a great way to spend quality time with family. I loved being able to help my daughter with the daily routines of living with a toddler and enabling her to get some much needed rest.
Building a relationship with my grandson is also important as I don’t see him as much as I would like during everyday life. I also got to spend time on my own reading, walking, swimming and resting.
We had a wonderful few days enjoying much of what The Palm Beaches has to offer while enjoying each other. I would do it again in a heartbeat!