MICHAEL'S BLOG

March 27, 2008

Hello Guys!!

I have to thank each and every one of you who have expressed so much interest in what's going on with me! I'm very flattered and todays blog is going to be all about me! (not that I've ever had a hard time talking about myself...) I did promise that the blog would be based on your emails and what you want, so here it goes!

Tristan (my youngest son) is doing very very well. We had a bit of a scare with some health questions, but it has all turned out well. He's just skinny (can't imagine where he got that..). He is a tall bag of bones just like Daddy :) Hopefully we will be spending his second birthday in August with his Moms family in North Carolina. Silly me, I did such a bang up job with the first two kids, I don't know what made me think having a third at this late state would be a good thing! It is very expensive, but htat' s a big "DUH". I'm sure NY city needed another biracial child being raised by his Mom with an absentee Gay Daddy....oh my! Nick, thank you for he phone call about T, love you for that

You've heard right, I did have another proceedure, had my eyes done! I looked like the bride of Frankenstien for a bit, but the scars are healing up nicely, and now I have brand new (almost 20 year old looking) eyelids. and yes, this is wjy I have been sitting at the front desk in sunglasses, didn't want to scare anyone more than I already do! Since there was very little to nothing I could do about having an ass that looks like earthquake damage, I might as well draw some attention up to my head..........tell me more about my eyes....:()

Moving on to my lovely Easter weekend....at some point just after midnight (friday into saturday), we had a pipe burst on the second floor. I had just laid down and there went the phone. I got up to a gusher! Agian, as I've said hunderds of times previously, I have the best, most understanding guests in the world! We, of course, had a full house, so it wasn't like I could move people around. The water took out three rooms before I coiuld actually get the whole building shut off. So here are three rooms underwater, and here's the best part, all three rooms stayed on property and "dealt with it"!!! That's how much they wanted to be here..........even though they all had the option to go to any of our other properties.j I don't want to embarrass you by putting names up here, but you know who you are, and I adore you for making my life a lot easier that night Well, as you all know, good comes from everything, so I now have the best excuse ever to re-do three rooms....Ya'll gunna have to come and visit with me to see what I've done, but I can tell you, I think you'll like it!! (and if ya don't, I have no doubt that you will let me know!!! Keep those emails coming. I still answer each and everyone.)

I have so much more to tell you, but I've got someone checking in right now, so I've got to go for now. But, please write to me, and if you really want to do me a solid, go to Trip Advisor and tell the world !!! Love ya much.

Michael :)

March 08, 2008

I can't believe it's March already!! It has been crazy busy with season, so please forgive me for not writing for a bit......I have some exciting news about Beach Club, we have booked our first Porn Shoot for the PZP Production of The Twink Wisperer! We shot DiVinci Load 2 here at Windamar Beach Resort last year, now it's the Beach Clubs turn to shine in the spotlight! The shoot will be April 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, and 6TH, so if you book your room now, you can still get in on our special "first season" introductory rates. We will also be having the release party (pun intneded!) for the film at Beach Club, date to be announced.

At the Beach Resort, we have expanded the hours that our day pass guests are running the Happy Hour(s). The Happy Hour is totally operated by our day pass guests, so it's all about you!

Cruise season is almost over, and we had a great time with all of our cruise guests here at Beach Resort and Beach Club. I think more guys met and hooked up with new friends here at our resorts than on the ships! The cruise parties all over town were an absolute blast, so if you've never done one of the RSVP cruises, you should think about it for next year! New clubs and bars are opening daily here in Fort Lauderdale, so it's not the same old night life that it's been in the past. Wilton Drive has truly blossomed into a full destination of it's own. You can park once and hit all different types of bars, clubs, shopping and restaurants. Call us at either Windamar location and we can fill you in on all the new stuff around town. Dont' forget that we can make reservations for you at any restaurants around town prior to your arrival! We can help you get your itinerary in order BEFORE you get here, so that all you have to do once you get here is enjoy! As always, if you need anything in your room when you arrive we can make prior arrangements for that as well.

All of our European friends are here in the summer months, so if you like "EuroStyle", be sure and book with us for June July, August, and September! Our summer specail rates will be in full effect as of June 1ST, so get your reservations in now before we are sold out. Holidays and Event weeks and weekends are NOT included in Summer Sale Prices.....

I have to mention LIPS restaurant here in Lauderdale, I've been there so many times over this season, and each time is better than the last. Those of you who know me, know what a food snob I can be, so you know I mean it when I say the food is as good as the show!

We bid a fond farewell to Dudu, our Brazillian Housekeeper who was with us for the summer. All of you who met him know how special he has been to us! We're trying to get him to confirm that he'll be with us again for the full season in 2009! Those of you who loved him as much as we do can email us and let us know how much you'd like him back, and we can make sure he gets all of his "fan" mail! Aside from being a real cutie, he worked his buns off for us this season and we are really going to miss him! Come back soon Dudu!

A few shout outs....Joe and Guy, we LOVED having you here with us, we are all so sorry for your loss, and we miss you very much. As soon as you can get back down, give us a call, we're waiting on you...you and your family are all in our thoughts (Chuck says HEY...) Riley Burke, you are still one of our favorites, we love you so much! FABSCOUT- thank you thank you thank you, especially HOWARD, you are the best! Victor Zepka, thank you for all the business, we are so glad Miss Florida is back and better than ever.......I can't even begin to tell you how much our guests (and all of us!) LOVE the Boardwalk. Congratulations on the new restaurant BIRDCAGE, I haven't been in yet, but all of my friends and guests who have been are giving RAVE reviews, I can't wait to get there!

Lastly, thank you all for your best wishes for our Pappa, he's on the mend and doing great! As always, we love all your input and feedback, so if there's anything you'd like to see in the Blog, or on the website, just keep those emails coming. At the Windamar resorts, it is ALL about you!

Till next time:)
Michael




January 28, 2008

Hello Boys!

I know it's been a while, but let me tell you, I've been RUNNING!!! Not only is season fully upon us, we've been trying to get the Beach Club up and running. It is BE-U-TEE-FULL........I feel like a kid again, the whole process reminds me of the great time we had putting the origonal Windamar together. As I'm sure most of you know, Pietro, who slaved behind the front desk at Windamar for the past FIVE years, is the manager of the Beach Club. I very much miss having him at the Beach Resort, but he's doing a bang up job at Beach Club. The property has a really great feel and look. We now have the website for Beach Club up and running (www.windamarbeachclub.com), check it out and let us know what you think. Keep in mind Georgios (who has taken Pietro's front desk position here at Beach Resort) has been working day and night to get all of our websites updated. Personally, I think he's done a great job, but YOUR opinions mean a lot to me, so keep the email coming!!

More exciting news for Beach Club, we've just secured the Rentboy Pool Party, and it will be held on the Beach Club property. For those of you who were lucky enough to get into the first Rentboy party we had last year, you know how crowded it was, and this year we are lucky to have the Beach Club and it's rolling lawns and gardens so that we can open the party to four times the amount of guests we were able to accommodate last year!! We have all rooms at Windamar Beach Resort, Windamar Beach Club, and Windamar's Rainbow Beach available for guests wanting to stay on property. Be sure and book as early as you can as we will sell out just as quickly this year as we did last year!!Keep checking the Windamar Beach Club website for EXACT dates and ticket availability.

Things here at Windamar Beach Resort (the origonal!!) are going great and season has been just terriffic so far. As always we are so happy to see familiar faces (big hello and thank you to Guy and Joe......they know why!) If you haven't gotten your reservations for February yet, we don't have much available, so call us soon!! Big thank you's and we miss you to John C., Amiel, Don B.,Jim L., and SO many others who've been here year after year. It was great to see Tim from Rehoboth Beach, but we still miss MJ!!! MJ, you have to come next year, I hope Celcius has a banner year, congrats on becoming the full owner!!

I've actually gotten to do a few things over the past few weeks.....Georgios took me (for my Christmas present) to see Kathy Griiith in South Beach, YES, I got off the property for a whole night! All right, you can all pick up your faces off the floor, I told ya'll I do get out every few years....I was also a judge at the Mr and Mrs Noche Latina this year, it was an amazing night. Big shout out to the winners, Miss Victoria Grante and the MR winner, Adriel. I wish you both the best reign in 2008, you both have BIG shoes to fill, the outgoing Mr and Miss, Alyssa Kartier and Jose Navarro were amazing and talented, not to mention two of the nicest people in Fort Lauderdale. I also have to mention Miss Noel Leon, and although she finished first runner up, her talent was OVAH!!! I'm buying the DVD just for her number, I can't remember the last time I was that entertained. Noel, I love you, you are amazing!!! (for those of you who'd like to catch Noel live here in Fort Lauderdale, you can see her weekly at Tranny Palace at STEEL every Tuesday) Please don't miss the celebration party at Steel's Noche Latina for the 2008 Mr and Miss Noche Latina, you can check out www.jumponmarkslist.com and get full details of the date and time. Big thank you also to Scott Holland, someone I am lucky enough to call a friend, but who also throws down for the hottest Latin Nights in Fort Lauderdale!! Check out Scott's column on Mark's List for complete goings-on in all of South Florida and beyond.........So, overall, this was a really busy few months for me.

Now, my FAVORITE subject...FOOD!! Three new places I've tried;
1. Christene's on Oakland Park Blvd. Very nice menu, upscale food and normal prices. I tried a few appitizers (my favorite was the Fois Gras), but every thing I had was good. I can't wait to go back
2. MediteraneO right here on the BEACH. Terriffic Morrocian "fusion". I've been missing Falafels and now I don't have to. I just had a corned beef samwich which was FANTASTIC, don't miss the Hummus, YUMMY
3.For those of you who know my friend Chuck, always the business man, he's opened an old fashioned HOT DOG stand right on Wilton Drive!! Great idea, only wish I'd thought of it. Yet another thing I no longer need to miss about NY, good ole NY style Kosher Hot Dogs!!!

I can't wait to see all of you again, come on down.....the water's warm and the men are HOT!!!

BIG LOVE,
Michael :)

PS- I know it sometimes takes me a while to get back to you, but, as always, you can email me directly at michael@windamarbeachresort.com. I love reading your emails, and I promise I will personally respond to each and every one. YOU are what make the Windamar great and I need your input!!



December 20, 2007

Hey Everybody!! I know it's been a while, but we've had a lot going on here at Windamar! The most exciting news first, we have finally take over the Flying Cloud and transformed it into the WINDAMAR BEACH CLUB, it will be our smart priced basic resort. Great rates, and you still have the opportunity to add Windamar Beach Resort day passes for a minimal cost. So now I've got almost 50 rooms at "the Windamar complex"!! (as if I didn't have enough to do, but you all know how much I love a challenge!!) I've been working like mad with the owners and contactors to get the Beach Club up and running, all I ask is that you give us a chance to incorporate all of your input on the new resort. I will never have to turn away another reservation! It's a great alternative for many reasons, I won't go on about here, but if you'd like to know more, just give me a call at the Office- 954.561.0039. Pietro (my right hand man, actullay my whole right arm....) is going to be leading the way at the Beach Club. Don't worry, although he won't be on the desk here with me any more, he'll be right around the corner, and STILL with Windamar. Georgios will be filling Pietros hours here on desk, and also doing all of our websites, check out the new website for the Beach Club when you get a chance and let us know what you think! (I love it, but I'm a little biased....) We have also had the pleasure of welcoming two new assoicates to our "family", Allen will be here with us at Windamar Beach Resort, and another Michael will be with Pietro at Beach Club, so join us all in welcoming them, and they certainly aren't hard to look at!!! (all the young ones are so cute....)

We are fiercly preparing for the New Years Week, it's going to be one huge party here in Fort Lauderdale. I was at the Boardwalk last night (Victor Zepka, the owner invited all the guest house staff and management), and Boardwalk will have special promotions for all the guest houses here in Lauderdale, so ask us about it when you check in, I'll be happy to go with you to Boardwalk, just to make sure you find it ok...wink wink.....

I've been at LIPS, our drag restaurant, a bunch of time now, and it gets better every time I go. You must go to the Gospel Brunch, and you really should try to catch a night when Porshe is working...this Queen tears it up, sings in her OWN voice, and thows down. All I can say is ya gotta see to believe!

Here at the Beach Resort, we've been pulling things together for you, I think all of you who haven't been by in a while will be very happy with all the little touches we've added. Our new landscape lighting is in, and both the outside and inside of the property look great, very subtle, yet quite striking.....as always, you let me know what you think.

A great big shout out and thank you to everyone who has gone to the Trip Advisor site and written about us, you know that means a lot to me and the entire staff, we love you all, and without you, there would be no reason for any of us to be here. We appreciate each and every one of you..........Special shout out to Nick and Vinny, see you in February!

Just a few more special shouts to Dr.Tim G. (got your card LOVE it!! Can't wait to see you in the new year, love to Dennis.) Robbie (Big City Video, I got your card, thank you, you are truly a great friend.) And an extra special thanks to all of you who have been here in the last three weeks while I've been running like a headless chicken, your patience is greatly appreciated.

Happiest of Holidays to all of you from ALL of us, may 2008 be the year all of your dreams come true!




NNovember 15, 2007

Hello Boys! Let me start by telling all of you how much I LOVE my guests!! I just got the most beautiful arrangement of flowers....thankyou Nick and associates, that was so sweet, and made my day. I also have to tell you how much I appreciate all of you who have taken the time to email about the blog.........keep 'em coming! michael@windamarbeachresort.com As always, I will respond to each of you personally. Since the responce has been so great, it may take me a few days to get to all of you, but I promise, I will!! Again, thank you. With out all of you, there would be no Windamar.

Well LIPS is now open, today is the grand opening to the public, I've been lucky enough to be able to attend two of the preview nights. It is so much more than I expected! The show is made up of the most talented queens Fort Lauderdale has to offer, including Diva, Misty Eyez, Champagne Bordeaux, ELECTRA, just to name a few. Yvonne Lame has done another terrific job, and Brenda Starr, who designed all of our LIPS locations out did herself on this one. She's actually drawing up some plans for my Video Lounge here at Windamar!! I'll let you know how that's coming along. In addition to the great entertainment, the food was spectacular. Both preview nights Bob, one of the owners of both LIPS and Windamar was there and sampling all the dishes just to make sure everything was perfect. I spoke to a whole bunch of people who attended the nights that I did, and the decision was unanamous, a tremendous thumbs up!!

The next major event that we are all waiting for here in Lauderdale is the opening of The Black Banana, AJ Cross's latest project. If this is like anything else AJ has done, it will be spectacular (remember Cupids in West Palm? Nuff said!) Just getting to see AJ on the regular is enough to go to the club! You can check out more about it at www.myspace.com/theblackbananaFL

Season is upon us, so I'm in the middle of trying to get a few last minute things done here at the property, hopefully, you'll all like what I've done. I'm sure you will all let me know one way or another.........as always. We try to respond to your needs and requests as soon as humanly possible, so keep those suggestions and comments coming.

Here's one little coming attraction, we have finally gotten the contract to get the perimeters of the property properly lit. The owners, Paul, Bob and myself met with the lighting designers, they gave us a "light show" to demonstrate what the property will look like with the new lights, and I think you will all be very impressed.

Well, that's all my news for right now, let me know if there is anything specific you would like me to write about here. (and for all of you who have asked, Tristan is now 15 months old, growing like a weed, and looking more like Daddy everyday, skinny and cute with beautiful eyes! Thank you for asking.) Remember, if I haven't answered you email yet, please be patient, I promise, each of you who took the time to write to me, I will write back!

November 2, 2007

Hey Everyone, been away for a while, but now I'm back! Actually took my Mom on a cruise, Royal Carribean (I've got plenty to say about it, but you 'll have to stop by or email me, let's just say it was NOT a royal experience!) We now have a new Miss Florida, Victoria Michaels, for those of you who know her, there was no one in Florida more deserving, talented and beautiful (inside and out...). For those of you who have never met Victoria, you can catch her at Boardwalk on Tuesdays for Drag Wars (an absolute riot!!) Congrats also to TP Lords, our new Miss Florida at Large.

While we're talking about Boardwalk, don't forget that PZP Productions (The same company that filmed part of Divinci Load 2 here at Windamar) will be having a release party (no pun intended) at Boardwalk, we will be giving away Free Day Passes, so stop by Friday and Saturday November 16 and 17. You can meet the Twink stars of the film and there will be tons of give aways and hot Go Go Boys! If anyone knows how to throw a party it's Victor Zepka, so don't miss this one (the perfect spot to be after LIPS grand opening!)

Speaking of Drag, LIPS Restaurant is about to have their grand opening for the Fort Lauderdale location. I've been to the ones in NY and San Diego, and if it's even half as much fun as those two locations, we're all in for a good time. I'll be at all the grand opening nights (November 15, 16, 17 and 18.)

RESTAURANTS....I got to go to Cero at The Saint Regis twice since last I wrote to ya'll, and it's FANTASTIC. I loved the food, but it is very expencive. You can expect to pay NYC prices and then some. It is what I would call an "event" night out, anniversary, birthday, etc. I was ablt to take advantage of the "dine out ft lauderdale" program and it was well worth the $35 per person, now, it's regular prices and I gotta tell ya, that bill stung a little! For those of you who were missing Wings and Things in Wilton Manors, they have reopened in the old Vincents location on NE 4th Ave, just before it turns into Wilton Drive, it's even better in it's new location, the chili for the chili cheese frys (my favorite) is made fresh and the wings are even better than before. The name is now Wilton Wings, same staff, different owner. Try it out and let me know what you think.

BARS....The new Bills Filling Station is open on Wilton Drive! It's so much more than I expected. I really liked the old Bills and I was a little wary of how it would adjust to the new location. Well, happy to say, it made the move just fine. They did a great job with the decor and the same friendly welcoming crowd that made Bills famous has made the trip to the Drive with the bar. For all you Bills fans, let me know how you like the new location! We're all waiting for Black Banana to open, looks like it will be soon! Personally, anything AJ Cross puts his hands on is great in my book, I'm sure this will be no exception!

That's that for now, till next time, Yours always.......Michael

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Welcome to the NEW website! We hope you like it, and we welcome any suggestions you may have to make it better and more interactive for you. If you have any questions about the resort, what's going on in Fort Lauderdale or about me, just shoot us an email and we can get back to you personally or post answers here on my blog!

The Summer has been great, so far NO STORMS!! Hurray! We shot a whole bunch of films and had shoots for websites all suummer, it was a LOT of fun. (Those of you that were here can certainly vouch for that!)

I'm feeling great and really excited for this coming Season. Just a note for all of our regular guests, New Years week is almost sold out, so give us a call soon to get in! We have a BUNCH of new bars opening this year, as they open I'll let you know what I think of them......the old standards are still rockin', Alibi has some new partners we've bid a sad farewell to Chardee's, and Slammers is slammin! I have yet to get there, but I've gotten some great "reports" from both guests and locals. Cupids in West Palm has gone through some changes, it re-opened briefly as a nightclub called "Lifestylez" for a bit after they couldn't do full nudity anymore, and now they have reinvented themselves as Cupids Sports Bar. All I know is that anything that AJ Cross has a part of is ALWAYS fun, and AJ, besides being one of the sweetest men in Fort Lauderdale, still seems to get better looking every day! For those of you who were big fans of Bills Filling Station, the old standard is moving into Wilton Manors. The former Chardees space will soon be the new home of Bill's. We wish them the best of luck and I'm really looking forward to seeing what the new space looks like.

Restaurants come and go in good old Lauderdale, and we've got a slew of new ones. As I go to the new spots around town, I'll let you know right here how it was. There are a few I'm really anxious to get to, Ciros at the new Stl Regis here on the beach is a part of "dine out Fort Lauderdale" and they are featuring $35 prix fixe menus. By the time season hits this year many more upscale eateries should have opened right here on the beach. Ya'll know I eat out every night, so when you get here, come on out with me, being the New York snot that I am, you know I'll take you to the BEST that Lauderdale has to offer.

Well, that's it for today, I'll get back on here as soon as I've got stuff to tell ya! Dont' forget, for a really comprehensive overview of Fort Lauderdale, go to www.jumponmarkslist.com for everything from night life to movie reviews. Yours Always....Michael

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October 12, 2007

Hey Everyone! For those of you into Pageants, we have the first Miss Florida FI Pageant in over two years coming up October 21ST and 22ND. We will be saying good bye to our longest reigning Miss Florida, Champagne Bordeaux. Champagne has done South Florida proud and been a wonderful spokesperson for Miss Florida and South Florida.

This years pageant, The Windamar is proudly supporting and sponsoring Miss Misty Eyes in her bid for Miss Florida at Large in this years competition. Miss Florida FI is a national pageant, and ithere is no one who deserves this title more, or will be a better representative of our beautiful gay city than Miss Misty Eyes! Good Lucky Misty from all your friends here at Windamar!

The NEW Bills Filling Station opens October 19, I'll be there and i'll let ya'll know how it is. Should be great, Wilton Manors has been in need of a great "neighborhood" bar. Halloween is quickly approaching, and the Wicked Manors Block Party seems to be the place to be for the early part of your Halloween celebration (5PM till Midnight). Talk of the Town is making their grand opening this week, it's in the old Scandals space, I'll be heading over there for Martini Night......stay tuned for what I think of it all!! Well, till next time, have fun and stay safe! Yours Always.....Michael.