I’ve concluded that this post will be less of a travel guide and more of a love letter to Boca Raton. The main purpose for my visit to the east coast of Florida was a collaboration with a Waldorf Astoria Club called The Boca Resort in Boca Raton, Florida. Also known as my home away from home. The Boca Resort has been a destination and hotel that I have been visiting with my family for my entire life, and to be able to work and collaborate with such an iconic and historic hotel was an honor, to say the least. In 1926, The Boca Raton Resort and Club was founded as “The Cloister Inn,” just to put things into perspective about how historic we’re talking. Modeled after a Spanish Castle, the building was designed by famed architect, Addison Mizner. The famous “big pink building” is what most people refer to when you mention this infamous hotel, and the Boca pink color happened to complement all of my summer frocks. I spent 72 hours in Boca Raton, Florida with The Boca Resort and I am so excited to share everything I did, ate and most importantly, what I wore!
Summer was in full swing as I arrived and the sun was shining for the entirety of my stay. The weather in August tends to be fickle, but the Florida sun was out and more perfect than ever. There is something so special about slowly approaching the grand entrance to this luxury hotel and seeing the ring of palm trees that surround the Boca Fountain of Youth and the Spanish inspired architecture of the pale pink resort. It may sound a bit silly talking about a place so fondly, but I have so many amazing memories and feelings associated with this hotel, that I couldn’t imagine spending my time in Boca anywhere else. From the perfect weather to the pristine Boca Beach Club beach, the friendly staff and the incredible food, every time my family and I have the opportunity to stay at The Boca Resort we almost always plan our next trip back. It makes leaving the resort a little bit easier when you know you will be back soon. Many of you sent messages asking for my recommendations as you have trips planned in the near future, so I wanted to get this post up asap. A huge thank you to The Boca Resort for sponsoring this post and thank you to everyone for your recommendations about things to do and see in Boca. You guys never steer me wrong! Everything in this post is also linked down below.
Where to Stay
So first things first. I think it’s pretty clear that the best place to stay in Boca Raton, Florida is at The Boca Resort. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stayed at this resort and they never disappoint. Super friendly and accommodating staff and an incredibly convenient location make it the perfect place to call home for a few days. From my welcome amenities of champagne, fresh cheese, and crackers, to the beautiful Junior Suite in the resorts Tower, I had a view of Lake Boca and the Atlantic Ocean and felt like this was something I could get used to.
After checking in, I like to explore the hotel grounds and see if there is anything new or different about the resort since I last visited. Truthfully, I usually slip into my bathing suit and get to the beach ASAP. Are you a pool or a beach person? Well, there is the best of both worlds at this resort, as there are several gorgeous swimming pools, and the beach is just a short trip away at The Boca Beach Club. If you decide to not rent a car, you can take a bus, or boat over to the beach club and enjoy a day on the resorts prime private beach. That is usually where you will find me for most of my stay. The Boca Resort is set within a backdrop of casual elegance, and the amenities include two eighteen-hole championship golf courses, 30 tennis courts, several pools, state-of-the-art fitness centers, a half-mile stretch of private beach, a full-service marina and a variety of watersports.
One of my favorite things to do at the resort is going for my morning or afternoon run around the beautiful complex. You always discover a new route to run or see a cute little spot that would be perfect for an #ootd photo. I usually go for a run and then head straight to the hotel gym or for a round of golf. The Boca Resort is the true definition of a resort. You really never have to leave the grounds, because everything you need is right at your fingertips between both The Boca Resort and The Boca Beach Club. This resort is the ultimate destination for relaxation. Put me on a beach, lounging on a comfy chair with a magazine, and I am a very happy woman. That is until breakfast, lunch, and dinner rolls around…
Where to Eat
The Resort and Club feature an outstanding selection of dining options, and by outstanding, I mean absolutely to die for. Let’s start off with the heavenly breakfast buffet at the resort restaurant called Palm Court. Everything you could dream of and more is at the hotel’s grand buffet. There is a selection of every fruit known to man, a full omelet station where chefs whip up one of the fluffiest omelets you will ever have. It doesn’t stop there though – fresh Belgium waffles, smoothies, green juices, an entire gluten-free section, maple bacon, bagels with every spread imaginable, bread pudding, monkey bread, oatmeal with every topping you could think of….oh great, now I’m hungry!
Palm Court
For lunch, I love 501 East Kitchen & Bar for delicious salads and sandwiches. The restaurant has a casual American cuisine and overlooks the golf course, with an option to dine outside on their rooftop patio. The Beaches Restaurant & Bar is another great option for a quick and tasty bite to eat beachside. I love their unique salads, and you can’t beat the stunning view!
501 East Resturant & Bar
You’d be doing yourself a disservice by not dining at one of my most favorite restaurants on earth, Lucca. Be sure to ask for David, because you will never come across a more passionate and friendly server. His knowledge and expert advice of the menu is remarkable, and he never steers your wrong…not that you could ever go wrong with any of the menu items that Chef Andrew Roenbeck carefully crafted specifically with a Boca twist for Lucca. The freshly baked bread that you are greeted with as you peruse the Tuscan inspired menu is warm, yet crunchy and utterly sinful. The rustic ambiance and large wooden table overlooking the Lake Boca pairs really well with the old-style Italian flavors and cuisine. I love ordering the Seasonal Verdure options for the table as some fun tasty bites, the Lucca Tagliare Salad, the Frittura di Calamari, the Meatballs Al Forno are flavorful and moist, and the piece de resistance would have to be the Ragu e Polenta. This quintessential Italian comfort food is slowly cooked in the wood oven and served for the table to share. It is prepared right in front of you and presented on a warm marble slab. It is like nothing you have ever tasted. I ordered the Bisteca, which is an Angus NY Strip served with aged balsamic, and Parmigiano-sage potatoes. It was perfectly cooked, tender and slotted on my list of one of the best steaks I’ve ever had. I usually dine more than once at Lucca during my stay, so if you are planning a trip to the resort, be sure to save one of your nights for Lucca. You will not be disappointed.
If you’re looking for fresh seafood, The Boca Beach Club has a restaurant called Seagrille which overlooks the ocean and serves fresh and unique seafood dishes that always satisfy. I had the opportunity of dining at Seagrille during day 2 of my stay and was lucky enough to sample their newly instated menu. Everything from the Baby Gem Summer Salad to the Key West Shrimp and my favorite, the Charred Spanish Octopus, was exceptional. The combination of flavors and textures highlighted the freshness of the seafood in each dish and made me want to reorder all of the starter dishes. Be sure to ask for Nike as your server. She made the evening even more memorable, and her passion for food and the new menu made trying the dishes even more exciting. I ordered the Roasted Organic Chicken, with smashed fava beans, mixed radishes, and pickled carrots. It was incredibly moist and a fresh new take on a classic roasted chicken dish. Yet another outrageously delicious dinner at The Boca Resort.
What to Do
Obviously, beach time is a must if you’re in Boca Raton. The private beach at the resort is absolutely beautiful, and the sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking. I spent a majority of my time on the private beach behind The Boca Beach Club because it is so incredibly easy to get to and beyond relaxing.
There are of course also tons of activities and water sport to sign up for at the beach. Jet skiing, deep-sea fishing, stand up paddle boarding, catamaran cruise are all exciting options while the resort offers a FlowRider experience to test your surfing skills, lawn games, tennis and, most importantly, golf.
The golf courses at The Boca Resort are picturesque, and I always have my best round of golf every time I play these courses. I don’t know what it is, but I think their greens may have the magic touch. My brother and I had one of the best rounds of our golfing career during this past trip, and I am dying to go back and play another round.
My family and I never have a moment where we are at a lose of things to do. We keep coming back to this world-renowned luxury resort because it truly offers an unforgettable experience. My family and I love building memories at The Boca Resort, and we even have plans to return to the resort for Thanksgiving and New Years because we are just so in love with the amenities.
If any of you have any additional questions about The Boca Resort, please feel free to reach out to me at liv@livforluxury.com. I would be happy to answer any questions as I pretty much know this resort like the back of my hand. I’ve had several of you guys tell me that you’ve visited the resort as per my recommendation and were so happy with the accommodation and amenities that the resort has to offer. I love hearing from you guys, and I am so thrilled that so many of your share my love for The Boca Resort. I look forwarding to escaping the cold winter months in NY for some warm weather, delicious food and making more memories with my family in one of our favorite places – The Boca Resort.
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