Lost in a tropical jungle: Delray Beach's Sundy House Inn takes you out of the city and into the rainforest—and even lets you swim with the fish

South Florida CEO,  Oct, 2004  by Rochelle Broder-Singer

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

Tucked away off a main street in downtown Delray Beach, Sundy House Inn is a tropical rainforest-like escape. The small one-acre resort, on the National Register of Historic Places (it was the home of Delray Beach's first mayor), is surrounded by foliage thick enough to shield it from motorists and pedestrians. Some 5,000 plants and trees fill its Taru Gardens, designed by owner Tom Worrell, a New Mexico environmentalist and entrepreneur. The gardens make this inn a great place to unplug for a weekend.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Plants and trees scent the air at the little resort. Everywhere you go, the soft sound of water flowing through the property's streams and waterfalls provides a soothing background for your activities.

Meditation and contemplative time is the order of the day at Sundy House: stroll the gardens' shady stone walkways, stopping to sit on a wooden bench and stare at the birds that fill the trees and bushes. Make time for gazing at the fish and turtles swimming through the streams that crisscross the property.

If you are so inclined, you can even swim with the fish in the state's only certified freshwater swimming pond. The pond, which originates from a shallow well on the property, is kept clean and clear without chemicals because its water source runs through a wetland, a natural biofilter and an ultraviolet light "disinfectant" process invented by Worrell's company Dharma Living Systems (part of the parent company that owns Sundy House).

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

You can see straight to the bottom of the bathing pond, and it has absolutely no smell at all. The water is luxuriously cool, and it even feels clean. If you take a dip, fish, ranging in size from tiny goldfish to turtles, brush against you, and will nibble on your toes if you sit still for long. The turtles will let you pet them, if only in passing.

Besides the swimming pond and walking paths, the only diversion at Sundy House is the excellent on-site restaurant, De la Tierra, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many of the dishes feature fruit or vegetables grown on the property or on Worrell's nearby farm. There is no room service per-se, but the restaurant will happily serve your meal on your porch or balcony. You can, of course, eat inside the restaurant, or outside at one of the tables tucked away throughout the gardens. Patience is key to enjoying De La Tierra, especially if you choose out-of-the-way outdoor dining, because the service can be slow.

If you need a little more action, or just a change of scenery, downtown Delray is a five-minute walk from Sundy House. The beach itself is a 10-minute drive away, and the staff will shuttle you there by car or golf cart.

The 1 I different guest accommodations at Sundy House range from a cottage decorated in West Indian style, complete with whirlpool tub and faux fireplace, to a two-story apartment decorated in a beach theme that includes a bed suspended from the ceiling, giving the illusion of floating on water. There are four different apartments, each decorated in a different theme, plus the cottage. A former stable has been converted into six guest rooms.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

While Sundy House certainly provides an ideal spot to enjoy special events in downtown Delray, we recommend a trip there when absolutely nothing is going on--so you will not feel guilty indulging in the inn's most pleasurable activity: sitting on a bench outside or lying on a couch inside reading a good book.

Sundy House Inn, 106 South Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach. 561-272-5678 www.sundyhouse.com

COPYRIGHT 2004 CEO Publishing Group, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group