"Why book? The Boca Raton has undergone a $200 million metamorphosis, and it’s primed to show it off. The 200-acre resort is sandwiched between a half-mile of private beachfront and an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary (and bifurcated by Lake Boca Raton)—an elevated option to take in Florida’s famous sunshine and water activities, complete with pristine, light-filled interiors with views of towering palm trees, high-end amenities galore, and a deluxe outdoorsy lifestyle that beckons you to stay in the sun a little longer.
Set the scene
The sprawling, palm tree-lined property that somehow always sparkles no matter the time of the day abuts both a beach (a private, half-mile strip of the Atlantic Ocean) and Lake Boca Raton, and sits about a 10-minute drive east of I-95. And let’s just say nobody here is slumming it. Not only is The Boca Raton a hotel with over 1,000 guest rooms, it’s also a private club that is a hub for well-to-do locals and snowbirds who are as loyal to the property as they come. Generations of families have vacationed here or have been members.
A drink at the Palm Court bar, considered the central meeting point of this massive property, will have you conversing with businessmen in chino shorts and driving shoes to your right, and ladies who lunch decked out in designer apparel (usually in flowy, head-to-toe white or pastels) to your left. Nicely coiffed kids in polos and sundresses smile at you as they chase each other around the grounds. Even at a property that’s as storied and luxurious as The Boca Raton, it’s easy to feel a sense of belonging and ease despite the sophisticated fixings and furnishings. It is, after all, a destination to either truly vacation or fully disconnect, not to put on airs—and every guest I met there was intent on maintaining their unassuming profile.
The backstory
Renovated to a tune of $200 million in 2021 (with more upgrades to come) by owners MSD Partners (headed by Michael Dell of Dell Technologies), The Boca Raton is focused on transporting guests to what it’s calling “A New Golden Era,” a hat tip to a time when every part of traveling—starting with dressing up to hop on a plane to slipping on your finest jewelry for dinner—was a glamorous and sophisticated affair. The Boca Raton began in 1926 as a 100-room inn that legendary architect Addison Mizner built with funding from the Ritz-Carlton. Dignitaries, celebrities, and politicians wove in and out of the hotel in those days. In fact, at the hotel’s opening, the names in that evening’s leather guest book rivaled “the social registers of two continents” and the dinner was considered “one of the outstanding social events of the season,” according to historian Dr. Donald Curl and the Boca Raton Historical Society in their book, The Boca Raton Resort & Club, Mizner’s Inn.
Over the years, more acres and amenities have been added to the property, including a beachfront location, championship golf course, and 50,000-square-foot spa. These days, MSD Partners continues to give the resort the Golden Era-treatment, including hiring famed architect and design firm Rockwell Group to reimagine spaces, Major Food Group to build four signature dining concepts, and celebrity wedding planner and lifestylist Colin Cowie to create events and redesign the spa.
The rooms
The Boca Raton is essentially five luxe hotels on one property. Each hotel concept caters to a specific traveler, whether it’s families, couples, beach lovers, or groups. All created with a refined, well-edited palette, the spaces still have their own distinct flavors and purposes. The Tower was designed by Rockwell Group, and the all-suite rooms feature a coastal theme, complete with custom palm leaf-inspired carpets and warm wood accents. Beach Club guest rooms are all about the ocean views, with floor-to-ceiling windows that open up to the turquoise waters. The Bungalows are apartment-style options with two-bedroom suites, private entrances, and muted design aesthetics. Yacht Club is an adults-only getaway on the lake with private butler service and all-suite rooms known for their vibrant artwork. The Cloisters is the most classically designed stay, with dark-wood furnishings and inconspicuous artwork—plus it’s closest to all the resort’s main amenities, like dining and shopping.
Food and drink
You can stay at The Boca Raton for a week and never have the same meal. That’s because the property is home to ten dining concepts (and more on the way, I hear). Global restaurant hustlers Major Food Group partnered with The Boca Raton to showcase four signature restaurants, including creating a Florida outpost for its famed New York City deli Sadelle’s, where one can build their own bagels with—get this—sliced-to-order salmon and sturgeon.
For anyone looking to truly be transported to a bygone era, step into The Flamingo Grill, where servers are donned in well-tailored pink blazers, and menu items include sole meunière, classically prepared filets, and baked Alaska. As for wine and cocktails, be prepared to be wowed, thanks to the thoughtful hand of wine director Cassandra Felix, who cut her chops in Napa Valley before being wooed to Florida’s warm waters.
The spa
An ode to the Alhambra Palace, Spa Palmera brings the majesty and feel of the Moorish castle to Florida, thanks to an expansive 50,000-square-foot spa replete with arches, stone work, mosaic tiles, and a lush courtyard with a tranquil lap pool. To gain a deeper connection to the Alhambra, essential oils found within the original palace—think damask rose, yuzu and lemongrass, and amber and pine—are used through various treatments, from you-name-the-type-of massages to body treatment packages and more. Facials are generally administered with well-known brands Biologique and Natura Bisse. Not to be missed are the ritual baths, a 30- to 60-minute water circuit with an aroma bath, Swiss shower, plunge pool, and Jacuzzi that preps the mind and body for ultimate relaxation. There’s a wealth of spa options here, none meant to be hurried. In short, to truly enjoy a Spa Palmera-grade experience, book at least three to four hours of your day here.
The neighborhood/area
The resort kisses the outskirts of what’s considered Boca Raton’s downtown. A five-minute drive northward gets you to Mizner Park, an outdoor entertainment district with a fine arts museum, high-end shopping, and chef-driven dining. Boca Raton itself, once considered a retiree’s haven, is finding new life as a younger person’s destination, with a nearby international university and a host of Floridians tired of the buzzy Miami lifestyle.
The service
Three words: Private butler service. But this isn’t stuffy butler service; instead, expect personable servers and wait staff who still anticipate your every needs, but who do it with a charming touch. While at my pool cabana, our private butler even connected us to another like-minded visiting family, which resulted in unexpectedly great conversation and laughs. For those interested in playing a round of tennis, there’s also a tennis concierge who can book your courts, match you up with other at-level players, or schedule your lesson with the on-site pro.
For families
Families will love the Harborside Pool Club, the property’s elevated take on a water park, complete with a 450-foot lazy river, three pools (including an adult-only one), a replica pirate ship with water cannons, two five-story winding water slides, private cabanas with flat-screen TVs and butler service, and a poolside eatery that overlooks Lake Boca Raton. A ten-minute walk from the resort’s main entrance and with its own private check-in lounge, Harborside Pool Club is also home to Banyan Bunch, a kids’ club with daily activities for ages 4 to 12.
Anything left to mention?
If you haven’t been on the water in Florida, have you really been to Florida? Fortunately, The Boca Raton has a fleet of water options, including deck and pontoon boats and catamaran cruises. There are even two water taxis that transport guests to and from the Harborside location across Lake Boca Raton to the private beachfront. But if boating isn’t your thing, you’ll find plenty of other water-related options on deck, like paddle and surf board rentals, and guided snorkeling at the nearby reefs that are an easy 175 feet from the property’s shore.
Finally, in 100 words or less, what makes this hotel worthy of Hot List?
The Boca Raton is a game-changer in South Florida. To create an elevated experience for a 1,000-plus-room property that’s consistent with its high-level service and amenities—from food options to water activities to spa experience—is a feat not for the novice hotelier. And to do it with an unpretentious touch is even more impressive." - Nila Do Simon
