Located in Shipyard Plantation, by the oceanfront and close to shopping and recreation, this development encompasses 800 acres dotted with homes, condominiums and a few budget hotels. The hotel itself is enveloped by some of the loveliest landscaping on the island, and constant renovations keep this property only a few notches behind the front-running Westin and Marriott hotels.
Well-executed grounds feature gardens, decks and Japanese bridges. The modest exterior does not convey the elegance within, where model ships, nautical stripes and a profusion of greenery bedeck the five-story cherry-columned atrium. Beyond reception, a sitting area shows wicker and upholstered pieces atop a marble and travertine floor, and the large lounge features a nautical theme.
The elegant steak house is the sole option for intimate dinners, offering a good selection of steak, seafood specialties and wines. The cheery bi-level cafe hosts bounteous Friday and Saturday seafood buffets and daily breakfast buffets. This venue opens to a terrace overlooking the lagoon and courtyard. A poolside snack bar offers snacks, and an indoor bar entertains many most evenings.
Indoor and outdoor pools, a whirlpool, modest fitness center, a beach, and special programs for kids keep the whole family on-site. Next door are daily classes and clinics, and the tennis courts and golf courses, which rent equipment, are just minutes away.
With smaller meeting facilities than the Westin, Hilton or Marriott, this place is noticeably calmer. 
Up to 1,100 people can gather in the ballroom, and self- and valet parking are convenient to all but those in ocean-side lodgings. Only valet parking exacts a fee ($10). Pets are not permitted.
All of the large guest rooms have clean and comfortable seaboard decor that is somewhat dated, with bold plaid yellow, blue and white soft foods, rustic pine furnishings, and two- or four-poster beds. All the expected comforts are present, including sitting areas, large TVs, phones with data ports, coffeemakers, safes and mirrored double closets. The chain's new Sleep Advantage program is offered in all guest rooms, providing alarm-clock CD players and a sleep kit that includes aromatherapy spray, earplugs, an eye mask and a relaxation CD. Enormous beds offer multiple layers of linens, a pile of pillows and a soft duvet. Soundproofing the walls would help the most, though. Marble 
baths are fitted with granite counters, irons and hair dryers. With a U-shaped layout, rooms have varying views, and only a handful look out over the ocean. Twelve have balconies with ocean vistas; others overlook the courtyard, gardens and parking lot. Room service calls it a day at midnight.
This property ranks high among the island's larger resorts, although its service levels could be better. Note: The standard resort-service fee ($12), charged nightly (guests are often not informed of this until check-in), includes more than the traditional amenities, including shuttle service to the golf course, in-room Internet access (fee for wireless in the public areas), parking and coffee-making facilities.