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Picture the scene. The sun has set at a hauntingly early hour and despite the heater being on, you’re lying in bed wrapped in a quilt, your feet sweating through the industrial-strength socks. The reruns of Shark Tank on Hulu aren’t beguiling you of your discomfort. This is how evenings play out for many of Americans in winter, but thankfully, a sun-soaked, tropical Shangri-la called South Florida exists, where down jackets are a novelty and icicles never form on car fenders. Whether your taste is for scene-y Miami Beach, old-money Palm Beach, or any other beach in between, there’s a South Florida resort hotel for you to escape to.
First and foremost, South Florida is a lifestyle destination. “There are exceptional resorts that offer everything you want from a beach stay, but with the service and amenities of a well-appointed private residence,” says Helen McCabe-Young, an executive at Virtuoso, the luxury travel consortium. As with any destination, she suggests to look to resorts that cater to individual needs and check all boxes: “Do you want a large, full-service resort or an intimate boutique hotel? Do you want to stay right on the beach or tucked away?” she says.
But since the winter months are South Florida’s peak season, rates will be at their height for the year. It’s just the price of getting out from under that quilt. But in the off-season, staying at these resorts can be a bargain. “Most people tend to avoid South Florida in the summer due to the heat and wet conditions, but it’s worth reconsidering,’ McCabe-Young says. “There are fewer crowds, and you can actually enjoy the destination in a different light.”
Is it time for you to defrost? Here, in no particular order, are the 12 best South Florida resorts.
1
White Elephant, Palm Beach
Anyone who’s ever vacationed on Nantucket knows the White Elephant. It has long been the ne plus ultra of New England luxury, and in 2020 the first White Elephant satellite opened in another timeless American beach town: Palm Beach. It was an instant hit and has since become the It spot for the South Florida city’s most elegant visitors.
2
Ocean Key Resort & Spa, Key West
This elegant resort is known for its well-appointed rooms and suites, a waterfront restaurant, and a world-class spa, making it an ideal destination for both relaxation and digital detox. Sipping drinks at the Sunset Pier is the ultimate way to take in the tranquility of the property.
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3
Soho Beach House, Miami
Hoping to find Annabelle Bronstein’s membership card in the loo? Try your luck here at the Miami outpost of the buzzy British collection of private club hotels. We hope your English accent is better than Samantha Jones’s.
4
Four Seasons Resort, Palm Beach
Luxury junkies do not come back from Palm Beach unimpressed, and this resort is about as impressive as it gets. This Four Seasons has a private beach, two oceanfront pools, and righteous dining options.
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5
Faena Hotel, Miami
Grab your linen suit and Panama hat because that’s how we dress in Alan Faena’s world. To simply call this place a hotel belies the Argentine developer’s wacked-out ambition. It’s only one element of his “district”—an expansive compound with buildings designed by the likes of Norman Foster and Rem Koolhaas. And for meat-eaters who like to tear flesh from bone without utensils, Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann is one of the hottest tables in town.
6
1 Hotel South Beach, Miami
If you like your luxury beach hotels eco-friendly, then this is the place for you. The holy trinity of green-living buzzwords—organic, reclaimed, and sustainable—is fully represented here in the bedding, food offerings, and furnishings. Enjoy the view of infinity with an exceedingly small carbon footprint.
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7
The Breakers, Palm Beach
If you looked up the word iconic in the dictionary, you know what you’d find? The definition of the word iconic, which the Breakers is. Pick your robber-baron family—Rockefeller, Carnegie, Morgan. They all stayed here since the Mediterranean-style building opened at the turn of the 20th century.
8
Pelican Grand Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale
This place oozes classic Florida beachfront charm, with its huge private beach, a lazy river, and a rooftop skywalk with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
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9
The Gasparilla Inn & Club, Boca Grande
Another legendary resort, this island property dates back to the 1910s, and counts J.P. Morgan, John Singer Sargent, and Henry DuPont among its most illustrious guests. Steeped in tradition, the elegant retreat offers pristine beaches, golf courses, and an indulgent spa.
10
The Boca Raton Beach Club, Boca Raton
For a place whose name means “rat’s mouth” in Spanish, it’s unexpected that Boca Raton would be a decidedly swank South Florida beach destination. But it is, and the Beach Club is as luxurious as it gets with its private beach, pools, fine dining, and spa.
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11
Acqualina Resort & Spa, Miami
This gorgeous oceanfront Sunny Isles property is designed for sunbathers who prefer to be far from the disco din of Miami Beach proper. With its three pools and private beach, it’s the place to take a much-needed chill pill.
12
The Colony, Palm Beach
The Colony is a boutique luxury hotel dating back to the 1940s that exudes old-world charm and sophistication. Located just steps from the ocean, it’s known for its rich history, Mediterranean-style architecture, and Swifty’s restaurant, and a rich history that dates back to the 1940s. You can even rent out Gwyneth Paltrow’s new Goop villa.
Charles Curkin
Articles Editor, ELLE Decor
Charles Curkin is ELLE Decor's Articles Editor, covering everything related to luxury watches, design, and travel, and has previously written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Paris Review.