Competing against popular vacation destinations like Orlando, Miami, and the Keys, Florida’s lesser known coastlines and interiors seem to get the short end of the stick. However, this overshadowing has inadvertently fostered a positive externality, allowing Florida to maintain a number of hidden treasures around the peninsula, far removed from the spotlight.

North of the Palm Beaches, the 60-mile Treasure Coast remains largely unexplored by tourists, though no stranger to the countless Spanish seafarers who wrecked off the coast during the 17th and 18th centuries. Present day, this coastline begins near Jupiter Island, location of Tiger Wood’s infidelity showdown. As the mile markers get higher, the coastline’s towns and cities alternate between sleepy fishing villages, retirement communities, and some frightening ghettos inland, where treasure hunter Mel Fisher could likely find the missing gold from Spanish galleons, now molded into mouth grills and hub caps.  But approaching the northern end of this long stretch of undeveloped sands awaits the unexpected crown jewel of the Treasure coast - Vero Beach.

Prior to 2009, like most Floridians, I had never ventured to Vero Beach, pre-judging the city as a Depends wasteland that reeked of giant mothballs. So naturally I was dumbfounded when Kimpton - a chain of trendy, young, individualistic, and super gay friendly boutique hotels – made its Florida debut with the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa.

I was completely amazed from the moment I arrived at the hotel that fateful afternoon in September 2009. The light, West-Indies-style décor, replete with oversized fans, rich hardwood furniture, and luxurious plantation shutters screamed “fabulous!” The lobby was buzzing with fashionable and friendly hotel guests, enjoying Kimpton’s signature complimentary wine hour, a relaxed forum for meeting fellow patrons and their adorable pets. Three glasses later, the bellman escorted my partner and me to our room, sweeping through freshly painted, cozy hallways, until we reached our oceanfront sanctuary.

Our room was heavenly. Similar to the common areas we had seen thus far, the attention to detail and level of casual luxury was similar to award-winning five star Caribbean hotels, while the $115 introductory rate was less than the local Holiday Inn. The rooms were straight out of a seductive Ralph Lauren catalog - whimsical whites, cappuccino dark wood craftsmanship, and light blue accents to match the ocean views. The textured walls, the decadent crown molding, the epicurean touches, and the complete interior design fantasy was our weekend reality. Just outside our balcony, we peered over endless expanses of downy sands, occasionally marked by flags indicating turtle nests. We decided to go for the first of many romantic walks as the sun set due west, encountering a total of five people during our two hour amble.

For most of the weekend, Vero Beach felt like our private island. We reveled in the uninterrupted sound of crashing waves. We combed the beaches for baby sea turtles hatching under the full moon. We kayaked around surrounding inlets, interacting with pods of dolphins and collecting seashells on higher ground.  We sipped cocktails around the voluptuous pool after mini-work outs in the sizeable fitness center. At night, we sat around the outdoor fire pit, cocktails in hand, ordering soft shell crab sliders from the hotel’s flagship restaurant, Cobalt.  At all times, hotel staff treated us like family, genuinely interested in our happiness and Vero experience.

It took us little time to realize that we had incorrectly pre-judged this small town. Admittedly, we had overlooked this oasis of sumptuous tranquility, fearing it would be boring, uncultured, and perhaps homophobic.   

That weekend in September 2009, we had a love affair with the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa. We soon returned in mid-October, when I treated my entire family to a weekend getaway at the hotel. And since last year, my close circle of gay friends have traveled from near and far to experience this undiscovered gem, equally blown away by the casual luxury, the charm, the beauty and the rock bottom price point.  My partner and I return every 8-10 weeks.

With two Florida guidebooks and over 1000 hotel reviews under my belt, Vero Beach Hotel & Spa still triumphs in 2010 as my pick for Florida’s best vacation value and the state’s best-kept secret. Without a doubt, it’s time to discover and rediscover the treasure of the Treasure Coast!

VERO BEACH HOTEL & SPA - www.verobeachhotelandspa.com; 3500 Ocean Drive Vero Beach, FL  32963; 1.866.602.VERO (8376). Joining their Facebook fan page gives you access to unbeatable prices and insider tips.