The Fairways of Palm Aire Resort in Pompano Beach is like a home away from home. At least, that's how I felt when I arrived after a long drive.

The resort is really it's own little community, with pools, Jacuzzis, fitness center, salon, full-service day spa, sand volleyball court and mini-golf course. The elegantly furnished condominiums have all you'd need for an extended vacation, from kitchen appliances and laundry detergent to a DVD player.

The bustling metropolis of Fort Lauderdale is within a short drive. Even Miami is close. But there's a lot to do right in Pompano Beach, as I found out over the next few days.

My fourth floor suite opened onto a spacious living and dining area with dark wood and rattan furniture, and a large balcony. One wing had a bedroom with two double beds, a full bathroom and a washer and dryer.

Atlantic Coast Luxury

 After checking in and picking up a packet listing the various resort activities (Latin and ballroom dancing lessons, coconut bowling, a steel drum band by one of the four pools and a frozen drink-making class were some of the offerings), I drove to the Sabal Palm building.

My fourth floor suite opened onto a spacious living and dining area with dark wood and rattan furniture, and a large balcony. One wing had a bedroom with two double beds, a full bathroom and a washer and dryer. The master suite was off the living room and contained a king bedroom and a huge bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub, which I vowed to take full advantage of.

The first thing on my agenda was to check out the beach, so I drove Pompano Beach's main drag, Atlantic Boulevard, to the Atlantic Ocean, where golden sand and deep blue waves greeted me.


Playtime in Pompano

 The next day, after a breakfast of almond challah bread French toast at Scoogin's, across from the resort, I checked out Pompano Park, home to the only live harness horse racing track in the state. A sixth-floor fine dining room overlooks the track, so racing fans can dine in style.

After my tour of the race track, I indulged in an hour-long soak in my huge Jacuzzi tub.

Refreshed, I headed out to Darrel & Oliver's Café Maxx, named a four-star restaurant by the Mobil Travel Guide, winner of Florida Trend magazine's Golden Spoon Award for 10 consecutive years, and holding the highest rating of all restaurants currently in operation in Florida in the Zagat Guide of South Florida.


Spa-riffic

 The following morning dawned clear and sunny. At the free continental breakfast offered patio-side, I noticed a young golfer swinging his tiny club, apparently very excited to play golf with his dad.

The scene reminded me of one of the reasons most people come here: The Palm Aire Country Club's four championship courses and its executive course were designed by some of golf's best architects. I made a mental note that my fiancée (a die-hard golfer) and I should return for a golf/spa weekend.

But why wait till then? I headed to The Spa at Palm Aire, where I felt relaxed as soon as I walked in the door. Soft music mixed with the sounds of water trickling over fountains put me at ease. I changed into a bathrobe and slippers and settled into a comfy chair, sipping orange tea and awaiting my facial.

The Spa offers all kinds of treatments, including hot stone massages, a Dead Sea mud treatment, salt-loofah body scrubs, body wraps and facials. Resort guests receive a 20 percent discount.

My facial, called the Deep Cleansing Facial, included cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing, not to mention a wonderful scalp massage and paraffin treatments for my hands and feet. It was the ultimate in pampering. The strawberry-scented moisturizing cream left my hands and feet soft for days afterward, a pleasant reminder of my trip.