The Venetian is known for its canals, palaces, and extravagant parties. But the Hotel Mar-a-lago also has an interesting history. It was built in the early 20th century and was purchased by the Palliser family in 1929. Back then, the hotel’s website states, the palatial Mar-a-lago featured “an ornamental lake, Italian gardens, and the world’s finest collections of golf and country clubs.” It also featured a private beach, two restaurants, and a range of luxurious amenities.
Since then, the guest list has included such famous faces as Winston Churchill, King George V, and more recently, Bill and Melinda Gates. The hotel even made it to the pages of the New York Times as one of the places that the technology industry delights in spending time at. Although the hotel has had to make some significant changes to remain relevant, it has not lost its grand charm.
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All The Pool Throwing
One of the most iconic features of the hotel are its beautiful, meticulously kept swimming pools. It was originally built with a smaller pool on the roof, which consisted of an “infinity” edge-pool with a waterfall cascading into it. The infinity edge pools are a common feature in modern day hotels and were designed to give the feeling of an infinite expanse of water. However, the hotel’s swimming pools are of a different dimension. They are so large that you feel like you could almost swim from one end to the other without getting out of the water.
The edge pools were originally for the exclusive use of hotel guests. Today, anyone can swim in them, but back then, admittance was by invitation only. Even then, it was considered such a privileged experience to swim in a Palliser pool that elaborate invitations were sent out inviting guests to come and “sample the delights of the Palliser Ministrante.”
The hotel’s founder, George Palliser, designed the pools in collaboration with an Italian architect, Giovanni Battista Castagna. Together, they created a series of tiered pools connected by tiled walkways. The walkways were originally made of stone but have been replaced by wood due to water damage.
On the rooftop, there is also a nine-hole golf pitch and putt course, which is still open to the public. It was originally built in 1909 and designed by George Palliser’s brother, Alfred, who was the head professional at the time. Today, the golf course hosts exhibitions and competitions and is still regularly used by members. It is said that Alfréd played a major role in bringing golf to Mar-a-lago, as he was the head professional there for 40 years until his death in 1939.
The Tennis Courts
The tennis courts are another feature that have remained relatively unchanged since the hotel’s inception. They originally consisted of a brick courts with tartan asphalt, which was laid out over three acres of land. The courts were originally part of a private golf club that the Pallisers acquired in 1890. The courts were open to the public in the 1930s but have since been closed to the public due to lack of use.
The hotel’s founder, George Palliser, was an enthusiastic tennis player and often played on the courts during the day. He would regularly play against well-known British tennis stars of the time, including Emily Bunting, whose mother was born in Mar-a-lago. However, it was not until the 1970s that the hotel really started to make use of its tennis courts. That was when they were reopened and hosted a weekly tournament between local amateur players.
But even then, the courts at Mar-a-lago were in sorry shape. The walls were crumbling and it was not uncommon for balls to go astray and end up in the canal. When a storm surge swept away part of the bank in front of the property in 2005, it triggered a series of events that eventually led to its complete restoration.
The Palm Walk
In addition to its splendid pools and perfectly manicure lawns, the hotel boasts a spectacular palm walk. It is a magnificent example of tropical landscaping that lines the length of the property. You come from the bustling streets of the city and the manicured avenues of London and are immediately transported to the tropics. It features a spectacular fountain with sculptures by Giambattista Castagna and Japanese plants and flowers. The fountain features nagika, an antique Japanese coin – a symbol of good luck – and it is a gorgeous addition to the hotel.
The palm walk was originally planted in 1912 by Mr. Palliser himself, who imported many exotic species of tropical trees and plants. According to the hotel’s website, the walk reflects “the designer’s love of the tropics, his delight in the beauty of natural landscapes, and the joy of living life to the full.”
The Restaurants
The Venetian is famous for its restaurants, with eateries serving classical Italian, French, and Chinese culinary delights. There is also a Baroque buffet featuring food fit for a king, which translates literally from Italian. After a hard day of trying to game on the golf course, you will likely be in the mood for a leisurely meal or an informal cocktail with friends.
The Palliser’s menus from the 1920s are a feast to the eyes. There is a four-page spread in a 1922 edition of The Planter’s Guide to Florida featuring a range of dishes from crab to grouper and featuring a recipe for Duck à l’Orange. The same year, the hotel restaurant, Trianon, served calf’s foot stew, lobster salad, and Scotch eggs. According to the hotel’s website, guests could also enjoy an ice cream parlour featuring “every conceivable flavour, from creamy concoctions made from scratch to ice-creams sculpted in the shapes of famous chefs’ arms, legs, heads, and bodies.”
The hotel has had to change its culinary offering since those days. However, it still offers up some truly wonderful dishes, like its signature black Angus beef, which is a must-try, and its five-spice chicken drumsticks, which are supposedly better than the ones you will find at Chinese restaurants.
The Grand Entrance
One of the main entrances to the hotel is definitely worth a mention. It is a grand sweeping porte-cochère that was inspired by the Palliser’s trip to Italy. The top floor of the entranceway is made up of a Roman-style temple, which is flanked by giant green mermaids. According to the website, the decorative motifs were inspired by the Gardens at Siena, which are attributed to the 17th century painter, Caravaggio. The fountain in the center of the piazza also dates back to the 17th century and is a reproduction of the fountain in the Piazza Spagna in Rome.
As beautiful as this entranceway is, one of the most striking features is the ceiling. It is made up of dozens of Botticelli-style nudes, which were painted by the Italian master in the early 1500s. The ceiling was repainted by students from the Florence Academy from 1881 to 1884.
A House Of Theosophy
The House of Theosophy on the top floor of the hotel is worth a visit. It is a stunning example of the eclectic and often idiosyncratic collection of objects and knick-knacks that make up the Palliser’s wardrobe. The collection mostly dates back to the 19th century and was assembled by Alfred Palliser, who was the head of the house from 1879 until his death in 1917. The tour guides are very happy to give a full account of this extraordinary collection. You will learn a lot about the Palliser’s eccentricities as well as the eclectic range of styles that they collected and loved.
The Last Floor
The grand finale to this tour is definitely the spectacular roof garden. It is a lovely spot to end the tour and take in the glorious view of the city. There is also a small pool, which the guides are always happy to teach you the NADAGuides to doggy paddle. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even go for a swim. While the Venetian is undoubtedly one of the city’s most luxurious hotels, it has a warm and welcoming feel that really engages the guest. It is definitely worth a visit for golfers or anyone interested in Florida or the Palliser family’s involvement in the city.