Boca Raton in November

Although the purpose of my visit was for business, there is a lot to see in and around Boca Raton. Golfing, shopping, and the beach are most prevalent.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

A car is the best way to get around. I did not use any public transport, and I did not notice much, other than an Amtrak train that runs regularly between Boca Raton, Ft Lauderdale, and Miami. Taxis are readily available outside expensive hotels.

The Hampton Inn does a great job in this 4 story property. Although it is not a full service hotel, they have many nice touches that compensate, and make it a great value.

They do not have a restaurant or bar, but they have a well-appointed lobby where a complementary breakfast buffet and evening drink reception are held. They also serve complementary warm cookies each evening.

They don't have room service, but they do provide a booklet of area restaurants that deliver to your room.

The lobby has a view of their great pool area. I turned a lot of "down time" between business meetings into highly productive time by using the lobby to update many computer files. They have a television, and all local and national newspapers available in the lobby.

There is a small pool, that is in a great setting of palm trees, plants, and a covered area with wicker furniture.

Hampton Inn is owned by Hilton, and participates in the Hilton HHonors program for points/miles. The staff is very friendly and efficient. This property is ranked among the top 1 percent of all Hampton Inns.

This is a full service Marriott on a nice property. Upon arrival, you can choose to use a large parking lot, or the valet service.

They have a huge lobby with marble floor, ornate ceiling, fountain, and waiting/seating area, and open area bar. The lobby decor is done in pinks and browns. Adjacent to the lobby are a gift shop and many meeting/conference facilities of all sizes.

There is a large courtyard outside the meeting rooms that provides a quiet escape to relax or talk on the phone. There are tables to eat lunch in the courtyard if the sun is not too intense.

Separate from the courtyard is a large outdoor pool and an indoor fitness center.

I did not stay here this visit, but attended a business meeting. Although I stayed here several months ago, I don't remember what the rooms were like, so won't comment.

The draw to the Firehouse Restaurant and Lounge is the fire-fighting memorabilia and collectables that provide the decor.

Beginning with the old fire engine in the front facing the street, there are thousands of current and antique Fire Department patches, equipment and tools decorating the restaurant.

The owner told me that the building was never a fire station, that he became interested in Fire Fighting, and continues to receive donated equipment from visitors across the country.

The food and service are fair, but less compelling reasons to visit. The menu includes steaks, lamb, chicken, and seafood.

Wilt Chamberlain's Restaurant is named after (and owned) by the Basketball great, and has a sports bar theme. Tributes to Wilt's career are everywhere. Magazine covers, and even his retired number are on display.

There are Televisions everywhere playing sports. It is clean and well organized. There is a bar in the middle of the restaurant, and a kids arcade on one side of the bar.

The menu is over 2 feet tall, symbolizing Wilt's height, and containing a good selection of Starters ($3-7), Salads ($4-10), Sandwiches ($7-10), and Entrees ($6-17). A separate dessert menu was provided following my lunch.

There was a surprisingly large selection of domestic and imported white, red, and sparkling wines, and beer.

I had soup and salad ($7). The soup was a Southwest Corn Chowder that was served piping hot. The salad was a huge mux of lettuce, cheese, croutons, nice ripe tomatos, with a vinegarette.

The food, service, cleanliness and layout are all well done.

Very nice. Located in downtown area, where the surrounding businesses were all closed the evening of my visit (which seemed strange).

Indoor and outdoor tables are available. I sat outside on a beautiful night under a large canopy across the front of the restaurant.

Good selection of appetizers ($8), Soup ($6), Salad ($7), Pastas ($13-17) and Entrees ($15-25).

The server recommended the appetizer and entree specials, which I ordered.

The appetizer was shredded beef with tomatos and scallions, served like a stew. It was terrific.

The main course was Argentinian Steak, which I asked for not stuffed with the cheese it came with. The steak was lean and cooked a perfect medium rare (as ordered). It was served with fresh cooked mushrooms, spinach, and julienned carrots, which were all good.

I finished this great meal with biscotti and great coffee.

The service, atmosphere, and food were all very good. I felt nice and warm when I left here.