Gold-level Preferred Owner Christine Raines shows you and me around
Bluegreen's first Presidential Suite. She's a most gracious hostess, guiding me
room to room in the 2,500-square-foot, home-away-from-home on the ground floor
of
Daytona SeaBreeze™.

Christine and her husband Jewett have embraced the Bluegreen vacation lifestyle
and are living it to the fullest. Owners since 2004, the Raines are enjoying a weeklong
getaway in the Presidential Suite at
Daytona SeaBreeze. Along with their
children who are 16 and 14, the Raines are joined by family members from Tampa,
sharing the four-bedroom Presidential accommodation.
As we toured the Presidential Suite, I had the opportunity to ask her about the
resort, this special suite, and her Bluegreen vacation experiences.
CP: What do you think of the Presidential Suite?
Christine: I think it is so very tasteful. The Presidential Suite's décor is
contemporary, but there is nothing impersonal about it. It's warm and inviting.
Colors are reminiscent of the warm oranges, the browns and the greens used in the
suites throughout the resort.
CP: But it's so different from the other suites, isn't it?
Christine: Absolutely. For the Presidential Suite, colors are more sophisticated
and less retro. I think the rich creams, these vivid red-oranges, and the warm browns
create an environment that is elegant and yet, it feels very approachable. We like the
idea that we're all here together, yet there's lots of privacy, too.
CP: What do you think about the Presidential Suite's kitchen?
Christine: My brother and I both love to cook, and we've certainly enjoyed
cooking for the family in this spacious kitchen. I told my brother that his crab legs
recipe was better than ever here.
CP: Where has the family gathered during this week together?
Christine: With this crowd, we've used every inch of the space. The adults have
made good use of the spacious living area with its own large high-definition television.
It's close to the dining area and the kitchen — which is perfect for my family!
Now, my personal favorite places are the master bedroom and that marvelous
bathroom. For me, those are the best parts of the Presidential Suite. The children had to
take their turns in the master bath's whirlpool tub, of
course, but now that most of the family is gone, this
is my space. Just look at these square basins and
streamlined faucets, and look at this shower — it's so
large, with this beautiful tile and these glass doors,
and don't miss the double showerheads and this long
tile shelf for relaxing. It's just perfect.
CP: There are a total of four bedrooms, right?
Christine: Yes. Two additional bedrooms
have king beds, ample closets and television, and
the suite's fourth bedroom has twin beds, arranged
as day beds to serve as either a bedroom or an
alternative TV room. Now, let me show you the
game room.
CP: I imagine this was the children's gathering place!
Christine: Exactly! There were seven children in the group this week, and they
staked out this huge game room as their personal territory. We designated this bar
and refrigerator for soft drinks and snacks for the kids. They played Nintendo,
watched DVDs, even played board games and their own version of Family Feud.
And the pool table kept them occupied when they weren't in the pool or on the beach.
CP: You live in Blytheville, Arkansas, I understand.
Christine: Yes that's where I live, but my family comes from St. Croix, so
being here by the water was just like being home for us. This was just the ideal
place for our family reunion. We have loved it here.
CP: What about other Presidential Suites?
Christine: Now, that's an excellent idea.
The Fountains in Orlando will have
several Presidential Suites, I understand. And I hear, there will also be a
Presidential Suite at
Bluegreen Club 36™ in Las Vegas. It looks like we'll just have
to try them all!
CP: We hope you will, Christine.
Thanks for the tour!
I left Christine to enjoy her last day in the spacious Presidential
Suite to enjoy a bubbling whirlpool or curl up on the sofa for a
movie, or simply to spend some time with the ocean she grew
up with. 