How to experience one of the world’s most celebrated resort destinations
Palm Beach may only be a two and a half hour drive from Central Florida, but the relaxation, adventure and beach-side thrills offered up will leave you feeling miles away from everything you thought a Florida vacation could be. I discovered this for myself over the course of a four-day excursion that gave me a brief yet eye-opening look at all that the magical destination of Palm Beach, Florida has to offer its millions of annual visitors. The destination presents no shortage of award-winning hotels to call home during your stay, and I had the rare opportunity to experience not just one, but two of these fabulous options. The adventure began at Boca Raton’s Premier Waterfront Property, the Waterstone Resort & Marina. My accommodations at the luxurious Four-Diamond boutique hotel featured a private balcony with breathtaking water views that truly set the mood for what was to come for myself and my companions. The elegant, intimate hotel also boasts exquisite dining options with two fabulous restaurants conveniently located on property.
Patrons of Boca Landing Restaurant get to enjoy the area’s only on-the-water dining experience with cozy seating overlooking Lake Boca and the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway. This signature dining experience is certainly a must while staying at the property, but for my companions and I, we found that the Waterstone Rum Bar & Grill offered the easy-going atmosphere we sought after and this was where we happily spent our first evening at the property. The simple menu maintained a tasty variety of classic grilled food and refreshing specialty drinks with just the right amount of authentic Boca Flair, such as my succulent entree of Pan Seared Wild Black Grouper. Sipping post-dinner cocktails surrounded by laughter, delicious aromas, and the company of new friends was all it took for me to see why the Waterstone Resort & Marina has been called the “Ultimate South Florida Retreat” and this was only my first evening in Palm Beach. To say we started off strong is an understatement and the next day also did not disappoint. The following morning kicked off as all vacations should in my humble opinion… with a relaxing, therapeutic spa treatment at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.
The historic, private resort is a sight to behold, and guests could literally spend an entire week at the magnificent property without ever dining at the same restaurant or sleeping in the same accommodations. It was an experience of pure luxury from the moment we drove through the grand entrance, and in true Waldorf Astoria fashion, the spa experience was equally exceptional. Inspired by Spain’s Alhambra Palace, the award-winning Spa is truly a piece of art featuring everything from a 10,000 square foot Spa Garden to a private Spa Pool with underwater music. A lengthy Spa menu offered an abundance of treatments, but a destination as one-of-a-kind as Palm Beach calls for something a little more unique than your typical massage, and that was exactly what I experienced during my signature ritual bath treatment. The highlight of the six step process was a luxurious personal soaking tub with aromatic bath salts, body scrub, and refreshing citrus splash that created a unique and memorable experience of stress-releasing relaxation and indulgence.
Throughout my stay in Palm Beach, I was struck time and time again by the pure beauty and sheer splendor of the pristine destination, and there’s only so much you can see from a car so my companions and I opted for a more freeing
