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FLORIDA
16 Dreamy Florida Resorts Worth Adding To Your Bucket List
By Valerie Fraser Luesse
and Tara Massouleh McCay
Updated on January 25, 2024
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PHOTO: COURTESY OF FAENA MIAMI BEACH
With so many places to visit and things to do in Florida, planning a vacation to the Sunshine State can quickly become overwhelming. Sometimes you just need a place to get away and relax. Although a grand historic stay can be a splurge—not exactly the kind of place where you'd book a block of rooms for the family reunion—sometimes you deserve a little time for yourself. Whether you want to vacation with your sweetheart or plan a luxury weekend getaway with the girls, these resorts are ideal. Expansive pool decks, historic architecture, gorgeous designer rooms, and gourmet restaurants are just a few of the benefits that await upon booking.
While a room at most of these seaside stunners will certainly cost you a pretty penny, some may surprise you with their relative affordability. And sometimes you just can't put a price tag on a bucket-list experience. Not looking like it's in the budget this year? Stop in for a drink at the bar, or just take a whirl around the lobby. All 16 of these spots offer some serious eye candy. Keep reading for some vacation planning inspiration or maybe just a bit of dreaming for a day farther down the road.
01of 16
The Breakers Palm Beach
COURTESY OF THE BREAKERS PALM BEACH
See what it's like to vacation like the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Astors, and Carnegies—all of whom have stayed here. (Which might explain the price tag—800 smackeroos and up. But a girl can dream.) As always, rates change with seasons. If you're lucky enough to book a night here, you're in for a real treat. If it's not quite in the cards, make plans for dinner at one of the resort's 10 excellent restaurants.
02of 16
Casa Monica in St. Augustine
ROBBIE CAPONETTO
Originally opened in 1888, Casa Monica has gone through many incarnations, but today it's a gorgeous hotel with a Moorish vibe. The Cobalt Lounge is a prime people-watching spot—and you can luck into some affordable rooms, depending on when you go. Centrally located in the heart of downtown, there's no better place to call home base during weekend exploring the country's oldest city.
03of 16
The Don CeSar in St. Petersburg
COURTESY OF THE DON CESAR
The "Pink Palace" opened in 1928 and hosted the likes of Al Capone and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Lounging beside one of two heated pools, you'll be pampered with chilled hand towels and Evian mistings. Summer rates can start around $500—not cheap but not beyond the pale—and it's pet friendly.
04of 16
The Colony Hotel & Cabana Club in Delray Beach
ROBBIE CAPONETTO
Built in the late 1920s and family-owned since 1935, this venerable but pet-friendly downtown hotel has its own private beach club. Your room includes breakfast, WiFi, parking, and use of the club.
05of 16
Faena Miami Beach
COURTESY OF FAENA MIAMI BEACH
Though it's a relatively new property in Miami, this hotel incorporated the original Saxony Hotel—a Rat Pack hangout built in 1947. Yes, most of us could make a car payment (or two) for the price of a room, but this Art Deco jewel is a masterpiece. At least have dinner or libations there so you can see it.
06of 16
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in Little Torch Key
COURTESY OF LITTLE PALM ISLAND
Treat yourself to a stay at Little Palm Island Resort and Spa, America’s only private island resort. The adults-only, luxury resort is a sanctuary of swaying palm trees, thatched-roof bungalows, oceanside cabanas, and crystal-clear water. You'll feel like you've traveled to an exotic island, but you can leave your passport at home.
07of 16
White Elephant in Palm Beach
CHI-THIEN NGUYEN/ELKUS MANFREDI ARCHITECTS/COURTESY OF WHITE ELEPHANT PALM BEACH
With 32 rooms and suites in a re-imagined building from 1924, this Mediterranean revival-style hotel is practically begging for you to finally pull the trigger on that bucket list trip. The iconic black-and-white striped awnings are at the ready to welcome you home. Just shell out anywhere from $525-$2,000 a night, and this could be your view.
08of 16
The Colony Hotel Palm Beach
GESI SCHILLING
This blush-colored beauty has been a second home for the rich and famous since it opened in 1947. Each room is impeccably designed and will leave you feeling like you're in a real-life fairytale. Rooms start at $539 per night, so a one-night splurge could be your ticket to paradise.
09of 16
The Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande
Originally opened in the early 1900s, the inn has been carefully preserved and renovated. PHOTOGRAPHS BY CARMEL BRANTLEY; STYLING BY PAGE MULLINS
Old Florida-style is what you'll step into at this charming inn tucked away in Boca Grande. Far away from the hustle and bustle of other warm weather destinations, this is a perfect getaway that you will never forget. Rates and rooms vary by season and package.
10of 16
Pier House Resort & Spa in Key West
COURTESY OF PIER HOUSE RESORT & SPA
Paradise found. There is something to be said about the quirky charm of Key West and the the luxurious appeal of this resort. Enjoy the relaxing spa, private beach, and views of the Gulf of Mexico nestled in this charming Florida resort.
11of 16
The Pearl in Rosemary Beach
COURTESY OF ST. JOE HOSPITALITY
Guests are greeted with a cocktail–and that is just the beginning of this splendid getaway at Rosemary Beach, which is located in the charming coastal town of South Walton, Florida, off 30A. White sand beaches, Gulf Coast views, and a charming European-style downtown complete with chic storefronts and cobblestoned streets make this a must-visit for a Florida bucket-list trip.
12of 16
The Equestrian Hotel in Ocala
COURTESY OF WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER
If you're not a beach person, you can still have a fabulous resort stay in Florida. The sprawling Equestrian Hotel in Ocala (think luxury Disney World for horse lovers) offers a AAA Four Diamond experience in the heart of Florida's beautiful horse country. Inspired by neoclassical French architecture, every last detail in the opulent resort offers a sight to behold—from the grand lobby's 20-foot ceilings to the edible works of art at Emma's Patisserie. The crowned jewel of the impressive resort are the state-of-the-art riding arenas where guests can watch first-rate horses and equestrians from around the world compete.
13of 16
Bungalows Key Largo
COURTESY OF BUNGALOWS KEY LARGO
The only thing that can make a tropical resort better is the addition of one little phrase: all-inclusive. Pampering reaches a fever pitch at this adults-only resort that's situated within a lush botanical garden edged by 1,000 feet of ocean shoreline. With 135 private bungalows, five dining options, and a Zen Garden Spa complete with a Himalayan salt room and eucalyptus steam room, total mind and body relaxation has never been easier to attain.
14of 16
The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island
For more than three decades, this classic resort has been the gold standard for luxury Florida resorts. A pristine barrier island creates the perfect environment for vacation bliss. Dinner at Coquina, a Spanish-inspired outdoor restaurant with to-die-for views of the ocean, is an experience you'll be reminiscing about for years to come.
15of 16
Acqualina Resort & Residences in Miami
COURTESY OF ACQUALINA RESORT & SPA ON THE BEACH
The three oceanfront swimming pools at this renowned Miami Beach resort are enough to have us packing our bags and requesting time off. But that's far from all there is to love. You may feel like you've jetted to the coast of Italy or Greece thanks to Acqualina's Mediterranean-style villas. Enjoy an al fresco dinner at Greek restaurant Avra Miami, a dining experience that's accessible only by private skybridge. Sitting under a canopy of climbing flowers with the glittering ocean shining in all its glory just outside your window, any lingering worries melt away.
16of 16
Playa Largo Resort & Spa
COURTESY OF PLAYA LARGO RESORT & SPA
Everything about this Key Largo resort, located on the site of a former pineapple farm, encourages relaxation. There's the steady sway of palm trees, the sound of waves lapping, and every amenity imaginable for those staying in one of 178 luxury rooms or 10 private bungalows. Each day guests are invited to take part in the Eventide Celebration, which marks the transition from day to night with live music, signature cocktails, and participation in a symbolic stress-relieving activity called the Drift Table. Everyone writes their worries and anxieties onto pieces of paper, throws them into a bonfire, then watches as the fire gets boated to the middle of the ocean.
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