[<<] [>>] by Bob Alman
22nd December 2000 (International)

The Centre is now open and operating every day, with all 12 lawns playable. The Festival Tent (seating 100 for sit-down dining) went up yesterday. The grounds are being prepared for the first big events, beginning with the Palm Beach Invitational on January 8, followed by the Official Opening and Launch Week Festival January 21-28.

Here is basic information on logistics and accommodations:

Location

The National Croquet Center
700 Florida Mango Road at Summit,
West Palm Beach, Florida

The Centre is in a great central location, very near I-95, the Dixie Highway, and the Federal Highway.

Approaching from the North, take the SOUTHERN BOULEVARD exit west to the second stoplight, which is CONGRESS AVENUE, turn left to SUMMIT BOULEVARD, take another left and within a mile, you will come to Florida Mango Road and see the National Croquet Centre on the right.

Approaching from the South on I-95, take the FOREST HILL exit west to the first stoplight, which is Florida Mango Road. Turn right and go about a mile to SUMMIT BOULEVARD, and you're there.

The Hotel & Motels

There are no hotels and motels next door to the Centre, which is in a residential neighbourhood. There are many hotels near the airport, which is just a couple of miles away. These include, at various rates....

HAMPTON INN, WEST PALM BEACH
I-95 at Belvedere Road
1-800-426-7866 or 561-471-8700
$79/single low season ; $119 high season (After Jan 1)

RADISSON SUITE INN, PALM BEACH AIRPORT
1-800-333-3333 or 561-689-6888
1808 Australian Avenue (at Belvedere Road)
West Palm Beach, FL
April - October $89.00 January $109.00 Feb-April $139.00

SHERATON WEST PALM BEACH HOTEL
(561)833-1234 or 1-800-325-3535
630 Clearwater Park Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

HOLIDAY INN PALM BEACH AIRPORT
(561) 659-3880 or 1-800-HOLIDAY
1301 Belvedere Road
West Palm Beach, FL
$89 -Nov. Dec. Jan-April $119.95

CROWNE PLAZA (561) 689-6400 or 1-800-2CROWNE
1601 Belvedere Road
West Palm Beach, FL

HOMESTEAD VILLAGE 1-888-782-9473 (561) 640-3335
1535 Centrepark Drive, North
West Palm Beach, FL 33410
Small, very clean, with kitchenettes
BUDGET CHOICE: less than $50/day low season

FOR THE ESPECIALLY BUDGET MINDED, there are numerous motels that time and fashion have long passed by on the Dixie Highway north and south of Southern Boulevard. If you're determined to slum it, check them out when you arrive.