When you haunt Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami yr in and yr out, snooting at the remaining of the Sunshine State, you’ve done yourself a disservice. Across the Everglades, over central Florida’s soupy inland lakes, through the Democratic People’s Republic of Disney and along the Gulf Coast are many splendid cities. Sure, they could have once lured, by and huge, middle-class Southern families, snowbirds, Scientologists and college kids whose idea of a superb time was a twelver of Natural Light, but no more. Over the past decade, things have upscaled and the way. Ritz, St. Regis, Cabot — they’re the Gucci, Fendi, Prada of a recent West Coast Florida.
Make amends for all the brand new luxury the opposite coast has to supply below.
Just opened in October, this gorgeous property sits on Sarasota’s barrier island along 18 acres of beachfront. When your toes have had enough of the 800 feet of personal white sand (never), mosey on over to “The Pools” courtyard with a resort pool, Jacuzzi and a winding river.
There’s even an adults-only pool with a waterfall. One other standout here is the 20,000-square-foot spa, decked out with a Finnish sauna and eucalyptus steam room. After a treatment, zonk out in one in every of the 168 guest rooms and 26 suites or sidle as much as the St. Regis Bar or any of the hotel’s six other ways to wine and dine.
Calling all nature enthusiasts: the hotel has a 4-acre saltwater lagoon where you possibly can spy stingrays, reef fish and Aldabra tortoises staffed by marine biologists.
From $1,052/night; Marriott.com.
Yes, it’s the Ritz. it’s going to be good. What you didn’t know is that following its July 2023 renovation (the hotel shut down following Hurricane Ian in 2022), that is the Ritz that has in-the-know jetsetters raving. First, it’s home to the brand’s largest Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge (it’s the just one with a full-service bar).
Second, the 474 overhauled rooms and suites showcase the dreamy work of Parker Torres Design (they added textures to the textiles, a neutral color palette, and plenty of old-school Naples glamour), rounded out by a Diptyque bath essentials and Frete bedding. Last but not least, the brand new poolside setup has specific pools for youngsters, families and adults, together with cabanas and fully enclosed air-conditioned bungalows.
When you’re traveling with kids, we’d even be remiss to not point you towards the property’s novel Ritz Kids experience, created in partnership with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, with a children’s playroom, in-house naturalist and destination-specific educational programs for youngsters ages 5 to 12.
From $1,200/night; RitzCarlton.com
When you’re fascinated with staying about half-hour inland from the Gulf Coast, this January 2025 newcomer greater than merits a visit — especially for those who’re a golfer.
That is Cabot’s first US destination, and here you’ll find two 18-hole golf courses and two shorter courses on 1,200 acres. During your stay, you can even take a stab (pun not intended literally) at ax throwing, bass fishing or pickleball.
Two- and four-bedroom cottages with outdoor living space can be found for nightly rental.
From $1,250/night; CabotCitrusFarms.com.
Opal Sol, Clearwater Beach
Opening its door to guests this February, Opal Sol is an ocean oasis connected to sister property Opal Sands via a glass-enclosed walkway that takes you to the brand new property’s 248 suites from studio to three-bedrooms, all with private balconies and unobstructed views of the gulf.
Guests of the dog-friendly hotel will probably be treated to access to 4 pools, 10 restaurants, two spas and salt room.
Once you’re not lounging by the pool or getting dry skin sloughed away on the spas, Clearwater Beach is just just a few steps away from the Opal Sands retreat.
From $491/night; OpalCollection.com.
Way down yonder on the Cocohatchee, the Perry opened in January. It’s outfitted with each ground and rooftop pools, wellness activities like yoga (or pump your adrenaline up on the decked-out fitness center) and direct access to the Gulf of Mexico and Wiggins State Park.
Don’t miss out on noshing on Cantonese cuisine at chef Dale Talde’s rooftop haunt, Tigress, or sipping libations on the adjoining cocktail lounge, Easy Tiger, with river and gulf views which can or may not begin to go blurry after that final round of cocktails from James Beard award-winning mixologist Lynnette Marrero.
If you would like to fill your days with a bit more motion, book a guided kayak tour, sunset cruise or fishing trip, through the hotel’s partnership with All Water Excursions.
Opened in August, this Moxy does what Moxy Hotels do best: creating an artsy, bustling hotel with a locally slant. Here, a daring and colourful lobby with mid-century modern flair sets you up for an equally eclectic vacation.
Play skeeball or shuffleboard board games, scope out the live entertainment or record within the (free!) podcast studio.
After you’re settled in one in every of the 163 rooms and suites, head on as much as the rooftop pool, which can also be the situation of its chic restaurant and nightlife hub, Sparrow.
From $249/night; Marriott.com.
Dubbed by marketers as a “love letter to St. Pete,” we just call this reopened a beaut. It got here back to market last July, following substantial post-hurricane renovations. It’s now a must for people who crave a plop-and-play vacay.
Check into one in every of the 113 guest rooms and suit up for the private beachfront with cabanas and water sports, either of the 2 pools or the marina with 29 boat slips. It’s also possible to blow off your city steam on the property’s Southside Sports, a posh with pickleball, beach volleyball and tennis courts. Come nightfall, take in the mellifluous music from Azibi Stage, the resort’s entertainment venue or sip drinks at SkyBar + Grill, a two-story beachfront bar with Sunshine Skyway Bridge and Gulf views.
More updates ahead: The approaching months will welcome Paradeco Coffee Roasters, fancy ding haunt SouthSeas Tapas and a 6,000-square-foot indoor event center.
From $169/night; SkyBeachHotel.com.
Reopened in December, also following hurricane renovations, this Anna Maria Island getaway is a must.
The family-friendly, 50-room property removed literally tons of sand from ground-floor rooms and from the property in only two months, after the brutal back-to-back punch of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. You’d never guess it’d been pummeled by Mother Nature though, now, as you bolster the recovering economy whilst hanging on the beach or by the heated pool, indulging in a “Sea-renity” beach massage or grabbing a ship rental from Coastal Watersports, on-site.
To go off the property’s grounds for a bit, hop aboard the island’s free trolley stop in front of Silver Surf and explore Historic Bridge Street Pier or Coquina Beach, and paint a sand dollar at Shiny Fish Emporium before scoping out other boutique shopping on Pine Avenue.
From $194/night; SilverResorts.com.
