Founders Inn, Virginia Beach

The Founders Inn is a resort, hotel and convention site unlike anything you've seen before. It has excellent recreational amenities, good food and plenty of it, a pampering atmosphere, things to do. But it is also fundamentally different. Fundamentally as in Christian. The Founders Inn is the latest enterprise of Pat Robertson and, in fact, stands next to the Christian Broadcasting Network in Virginia Beach, VA.

Let's get this straight. This is not a monastery, or a missionary meeting-place. Although the hotel's main draw is still primarily religious groups, they are aggressively pursuing secular clientele. The sell is on a "healthy mind, healthy body" alternati ve. The major difference is that alcohol and smoking are prohibited (although smoking is sometimes allowed in certain rooms). And think of how much money you'll save on liquor during a vacation or conference.

The Founders Inn is an 18th century oasis nestled amid 26 acres of manicured gardens. Inside, the feel is of an 18th century colonial building, replete with antiques and authentic reproductions.

It should be no surprise that activities offered at the Founders are healthy for mind, body and, of course, soul. The Founders Inn takes great pride in its multi million dollar fitness facilities. There is a resident tennis pro and golf lurks nearby. The center is also the scene of the Founders famous "Corporate Games." Some of the options for your office team: pool relays, balloon toss, and briefcase bash.

There are plenty of interesting things to do. A typical day might include: Williamsburg tour, training/conditioning, morning bible study, tour of the CBN studios, Founders Inn tour, afternoon tea time, step aerobics, aqua aerobics, training/conditioning, "An Evening with Apostle Peter." There is also a resident dinner theater, and live music on weekends.

Being pure and healthy doesn't mean you have to suffer at mealtimes. The Founders Inn restaurants offer plenty of respectable cuisine. The Inn flagship restaurant, Swan Terrace, serves American regional fare which nowadays means a blending of European, Asian, and Mediterranean influences. Seasonal "Food Extravaganzas" bring in chefs invited from around the world; holidays are another time for specialty dishes celebrating Christmas, Easter, St. Patrick's and Valentine's Day. A more casual atmosphere is o ffered by the Muffin Pan, a sandwich, espresso, pastry shop rolled into one.

To me, one of the major attractions of the Inn is its proximity to one of the most underrated tourist areas in the United States, rich in historical sites, museums, sports, performing arts, food, shopping, wondering at nature's beauty. There's Norfolk, t he Historic Triangle (Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown), Newport News, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, and the towns of the Chesapeake.

It would be impossible to list all the attractions packed in this area, but I'll name a few personal favorites. Norfolk's Chrysler Museum holds one of the nation's best, yes, best, collections of art ranging from 2700 B.C. to the present. Virginia Beach is the only city located both on the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, so it's no wonder that it hosts the magnificent Virginia Marine Science Museum, with whale watching cruises, the boardwalk along the Owls Creek Salt March, or the gigantic Chesape ake Bay tank.

There's plenty of food and entertainment here, too. We spent a lovely interlude at La Galleria Ristorante, an award winner located in downtown serving authentic Italian cuisine in a European style atmosphere.

Founders Inn is a year round resort, with seasonal specials at appropriate times. But the tour de force is reserved for Christmas, when an entire month is set aside for guests to experience an old fashioned yule spectacular decorations, caroling choirs, holiday feasts, concerts, and portrayals of the Christmas drama. All with the idea of bringing heaven down to us on earth?

Reservations: (800) 926-4466.

3/18/94