Palm Beach County, FL., evokes images palm trees, resorts, golf courses and sandy beaches. As the South Florida Winter Season begins in full, here’s a look at some of Spike’s favorite resorts and hotels as the best Palm Beach resorts.
The Breakers Palm Beach
The ultimate lap of luxury in Palm Beach County and South Florida. Originally founded in 1896 by railroad magnate Henry Flgaler, the beachside resort is best-known for its Mediterranean-style architecture featuring twin Belvedere towers and a lobby influenced by the Great Hall of the Palazzo Carrega in Genoa (circa 1560).
The Breakers’ Ocean Course is reputed to be the oldest layout in the state, designed by Alexander Findlay in 1895. Findlay, a Scottish golf champion, is said to have designed the first contiguous golf holes in Nebraska in 1886. At the turn of the 20th century, Findlay and legendary golfer Harry Vardon barnstormed the country in a series of exhibition matches, including on the Ocean Course.
Only 6,100 yards long, the Ocean Course is ideal for resort play. Resort guests also have access to The Breakers Rees Jones Course, about 20 minutes away in West Palm Beach.
The Breakers’ guests also have access to the Beach Club, which features 25 apartment-style cabanas; a Forbes Five-Star spa; family entertainment center; and 10 restaurants and lounges. Sunday brunch at the resort’s Circle Dining Room is legendary.
PGA National Resort
Located in Palm Beach Gardens, PGA National Resort recently underwent a $100 million renovation thanks to new ownership that completely redesigned the among other improvements, recreated the lobby in dark wood colors and brought in two celebrity chefs – Jeremy Ford at the Butcher’s Club and Lindsay Autry at Honeybelle.
The resort’s Jack Nicklaus-design Champion Course, annual host to the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic, reopened this past Labor Day weekend following a total overhaul of its bunkers. The Squire course has been redone into a pair of beginner-friendly layouts – the Staple and the Match. The Palmer and the Fazio courses round out PGA National’s golf offerings. The resort’s world-class spa is a “must visit’’ for those seeking to relax.
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
Set beachside in the trendy town of Manalapan, just south of Palm Beach Island, Eau Palm Beach’s is the only independent property in Palm Beach to earn the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition and one of 10 in Florida to earn the AAA Five Diamond Award.
Open and airy, the resort has an outstanding F&B program that includes its own private label spirits, as well as Italian restaurant Polpo, a sister restaurant to the popular eatery in Greenwich, CT: Angle steakhouse and Breeze Ocean Kitchen.
The resort has one of South Florida’s top spas, which includes a relaxation garden, cafe and water features in the men’s and women’s locker rooms.
Brazilian Court Palm Beach
In the heart of Palm Beach Island neighborhood, this historic boutique hotel is only two blocks from the beach and close to the shops and restaurants of Worth Ave. Celebrity Chef Daniel Boulud’s Cafe Boulud is a favorite with guests and locals, particularly for its outdoors dining during the Winter season.
Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Resort & Spa
This all-suite resort is an ideal headquarters for beach goers and for those who want to explore the northern parts of Palm Beach County. on the north side of Palm Beach County, The resort has two pools, SiSpa and the outstanding 3800 Ocean Restaurant and Lounge.
The Boca Raton
A legendary name in Florida destination resorts, The Boca Raton’s new ownership group, has put more than $200 million into the property’ “reimagination,’’ which includes new restaurants, a new hotel tower and water park.
The 50,000-square-foot, Alhambra-inspired spa features 44 treatment rooms, a tranquility pool, new Halotherapy Himalayan Salt Room, and Aemotio Vichy Shower by Lemi.
Crane’s Beach House Boutique Hotel and Luxury Villas
A popular place to explore trendy bustling Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, the hotel a short walk away from the beach. Tucked away in a tropical setting, Crane’s seaside sanctuary brings together two intimate palm-shaded pools and a poolside tiki bar, and offers an exceptional level of personal guest service and upscale comfort in 28 “beach chic” suites ranging in size from kitchenette studios, to deluxe one-bedroom suites and luxury villas.
Opal Grand Resort & Spa
On the tip of the east end of Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach, the resort overlooks the beach and is a popular destination for locals’ “staycations’’ and with Winter season snowbirds. It’s a good headquarters hotel to explore the Delray Beach/Boca Raton area, which is becoming a haven for upscale restaurants and shopping.
The resort’s Monkey Bar is one of “the Ave’s’’ more popular destinations for Happy Hour drinks and small plates.
https://www.thepalmbeaches.com/
Feature Photo: The Breakers Palm Beach
Photos Courtesy of The Breakers Palm Beach; Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa; Crane’s Beach House; Opal Grand Resort & Spa; The Boca Raton; Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island; The Brazilan Court; PGA National Resort.