16 Best Hotels in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast, Florida

More than an opulent hotel, The Breakers is a legendary 140-acre self-contained jewel of a resort built in a Mediterranean style and loaded with amenities, from a 20,000-square-foot luxury spa and grandiose beach club with four pools and a half-mile private beach to 10 tennis courts, croquet courts, and two 18-hole golf courses. Henry Flagler's descendants still run the place and invest $25 million a year to keep it at the cutting edge. Dating from 1896 and on the National Register of Historic Places, the common areas have water nymphs frolicking at the main fountain, and majestic frescoes grace hallways leading to restaurants. The equally lovely rooms take on a different, more contemporary character and are best described as cheerfully sophisticated with a classic style. For added luxury, there's the 25-room, private-access Flagler Club, a "guest house" within the hotel with added amenities like a private lounge, plush decor, and car service via the club's Tesla. One of the most extensive wine collections in the world is housed here, keeping the hotel's six sommeliers busy, and the resort's ten restaurants and eight bars are all excellent. In addition, the property's historic par-70 Ocean Course, the oldest 18 holes in all of Florida, as well as its contemporary off-site counterpart, The Breakers Rees Jones Course, are open to members and hotel guests only; for those looking to learn on the green, the John Webster Golf Academy offers private and group lessons. With all that's going on at The Breakers, it's a miracle if you can ever pry yourself off the property.

Dotted with coral lounge chairs, umbrellas, and white-sand beaches, this contemporary resort looks as if it were carefully replicated from a retro-chic postcard. An annex of the larger Mediterranean-style The Boca Raton (but set on the downy sands rather than the Intracoastal Waterway), the casually elegant property has 210 rooms, ranging from 420-square-foot standards to 800-square-foot one-bedroom suites overlooking the Atlantic. The rooms and suites showcase a spectacular design featuring honed marble and cerused woods complemented by vibrant coral velvet accents. Each room features a wet bar complete with a water filtration system so you can refill your water bottle for on-the-go hydration, flat-panel TVs, plush bedding, Acqua di Parma bath products, complimentary beach bags and flip-flops, and—most important—easy access to the sand and sea. Guests can lounge by a trio of revamped swimming pools with cabanas and a bar, or linger with a cocktail and leisurely lunch in the on-site Marisol, or you can consult your personal concierge for suggestions. For a change of scenery, head back to the main complex of The Boca Raton (just a short ride away via free shuttle or water taxi) for other dining options, including the trendy Sadelle's.

A tropical oasis, this boutique hotel is a hidden jungle of lush tropical plants, only a block from the beach. Each room is individually decorated in tropical prints, with rattan and wicker or sleek modern furnishings. The luxe villas have smart TVs, private patios or balconies, and dedicated Wi-Fi access. Both suites and rooms have full kitchens (kitchenettes are in the studios). Two pools, including a waterfall pool, along with a thatched Tiki Bar, plus hammocks under the palms, promise the perfect South Florida experience. Live music at the Tiki Bar draws locals as well as hotel guests. Homemade sangrias and a list of frozen concoctions are the drinks du jour. Though no restaurants are on site, there are many—along with cute shops—within the block on Atlantic Avenue.

In the coastal town of Manalapan (just south of Palm Beach), this sublime, glamorous destination resort (formerly the Ritz-Carlton) showcases a newer, younger face of luxury, including a 3,000-square-foot oceanfront terrace, two sleek pools, a huge fitness center, and a deluxe spa. All guest rooms were decorated by noted designer Jonathan Adler. The rooms include amenities like marble baths and lovely balconies, most with ocean views. Coconut palms shade the pools and courtyard—all of which are served by attendants who can fulfill whims from iced drinks and sunscreen to cool face towels. The deluxe 42,000-square-foot Eau Spa has 19 high-design treatment rooms and superchic amenities like a co-ed outdoor water playground. A pirate-ship-theme playground and a turtle-theme club for kids will keep ages 3-12 busy. (The structured half- and full-day programs carry an extra fee.) Guests looking for a more luxurious experience can book Club Level suites, which come with access to a dedicated concierge and lounge with complimentary beverages and light bites. 

Couples and families seeking relaxed seaside elegance in a luxe yet understated setting will love this manicured 6-acre oceanfront escape at the south end of Palm Beach, with serene, bright, airy rooms in a cream-colored palette and spacious marble-lined baths. In the common areas, fanlight windows, marble columns, billowing curtains, and swaying palms are beautiful and inviting. Kick back in large rooms that have private balconies, many of which offer ocean views, and continue to relax at the fabulous spa. The hotel has a second adults-only pool and Cabana Terrace Rooms that offer direct access to the pool deck. A Michelin-starred chef now heads the resort’s signature restaurant, Florie's, which offers a pergola-style dining terrace outside. A roster of complimentary guest activities and amenities like a kids' club, cooking classes, yoga, and resort bikes offer pleasant opportunities for relaxation outside of beach and pool time.

Families love this nine-story hotel filled with rich Caribbean-style rooms containing mahogany sleigh beds and armoires; all rooms have balconies, and many have stunning views of the ocean and local landmarks like the Jupiter Lighthouse and Juno Pier. The heated pool beachside has a waterfall feature, and there's outdoor seating and a bar for the hotel's locally famous Sinclair's Ocean Grill, where brunch is a favorite. Snorkeling equipment is available for rent, and bicycles are included in the resort fee. There's also a tennis court on the property—not to mention a fabulous 7,500-square-foot spa, and kids' game room. Midnight beach tours during turtle nesting season are popular.

With a sophisticated, relaxed West Indies feel, this luxurious five-story beachfront hotel at the north end of Ocean Drive is an inviting getaway and, arguably, the best on the Treasure Coast. All rooms are tastefully decorated and have an upscale island look with dark-wood accents; many have patios opening onto the pool or balconies with ocean views. Spacious one- and two-bedroom suites have sitting areas and sleeper sofas and dining rooms with wet bars. The fantastic Cobalt restaurant has stunning views of the water and a sleek setting; Heaton's Reef is a more casual bar and grill with outdoor seating. Like other Kimpton hotels, this one is pet-friendly, so much so that there are treats in the lobby and you can request plush beds for your furry friends. The hotel also boasts a top-notch full-service medi-spa and salon with a devoted local following.

Those who crave luxury in its full glory (rooms with ultraswank tilework and fixtures, marble vanities, seamless shower doors plus access to a spa, pools, and beach club) will love this LEED-certified hotel with a subtle Zen-coastal motif. Although the hotel dates back to 1911, everything, including its private off-site beach club feels fresh. A saltwater pool, one of the first in the area, was grandfathered in during the remodeling and is a highlight of the beach club. Water-sports rentals are available year-round, and the restaurant is perfect for a leisurely lunch. Back at the hotel, a quiet infinity pool can be found adjacent to the spa, and it's hard not to be smitten with the aquariums peppering the common spaces; four in total, with the centerpiece being the lobby's 2,500-gallon tank, they are home to a wide range of creatures, from beautiful lionfish to slithering moray eels, and the concierges have fact sheets on the inhabitants for you to peruse. Rooms are decorated in relaxing neutrals and have plush bedding and Keurig coffeemakers. Opt for the deluxe category—they are one step above the standard rooms, and all have balconies. There's a complimentary trolley that takes you to the beach club, and the hotel offers car transport within a 5-mile radius from 8 am to 11 pm.

An oceanfront, family-oriented retreat tucked away in a residential stretch of Orchid Island, this Disney property has a retro Old Florida design with understated Mickey Mouse flair; plus, it's an easy drive to Walt Disney World in Orlando (just about 90 minutes). It's part of Disney's time-share program but also rents available rooms just like any other hotel.

The artfully conceived four-story main building, separate villas, and six beach cottages are reminiscent of 19th-century Florida, and you will find hidden treasurers related to sea turtles and Florida's rich history. All rooms come equipped with wet bars, mini-refrigerators, toasters, and microwaves; upgraded rooms offer full kitchens and laundry facilities. Although there are not too many dining options in the immediate area, the resort has some great eateries of its own: Shutters serves American food and has character breakfasts on Saturday morning, and Sonya's has wood-fired steaks and creative seafood. The highest rates here are in the summer, so spring, fall, and winter (except for two weeks in March) are perfect times to find deals.

On the National Register of Historic Places, the two original buildings of this 1935 inn were built entirely from ocean-washed timbers with no blueprints; over time more buildings were added, and all are now decorated with such artifacts as ship's bells, Spanish tiles, a cannon from a 16th-century Spanish galleon, and plenty of wrought iron, which create a quirky, utterly charming landscape. The resort operates as both a time-share and a regular hotel (the website is just for informational purposes, so you must call to book rooms), and the complex has nine buildings on the beach with both modern and historic rooms and two swimming pools. It attracts guests from around the world, who sit in wooden rockers facing the beach, and extended-length stays are available. Waldo's restaurant and bar are on property, with several other choices across the street as well. Live music on weekends draws crowds to the pool.

The only hotel near the polo fields in the equestrian mecca of Wellington—10 miles west of downtown Palm Beach—feels a bit like a tony clubhouse, with rich wood paneling, hunt prints, and elegant chandeliers; but inside the rooms are standard Hampton Inn fare. Recently spruced up with new carpeting, the one-bedroom apartment-style suites have sleeper sofas, refrigerators, and microwaves. Some rooms have a lake view. If equestrian pursuits are your thing, this is the place to be. Plus, it's close to some of the more off-the-beaten-path tourist attractions, including kid-favorite Lion Country Safari.

In downtown, the contemporary business hotel situated next door to the county convention center has a pool with cabanas many resorts would envy. All rooms have 55-inch flat-screen TVs, and executive rooms have a separate seating area. Free Wi-Fi is provided to all guests, and an upscale fitness center is on site. Two restaurants offer American and global menus sourced from local purveyors, while a poolside bar sates sunbathers. Several other shopping, dining, and bar choices are at The Square, across the street, and the Kravis Center, a performing arts center, is a couple of blocks away.

With a 77-slip marina, a full water-sports program, a golf course, two pools, tons of tennis courts, and children's activities, this self-contained resort is excellent for families, most of whom prefer to stay in the tower directly on the ocean. Nevertheless, the main building on the Intracoastal Waterway (or Indian River, as it is called here) has a lovely, spacious pool courtyard and shuttle transport to the beach. The rooms have quality fixtures like granite vanities, plush bedding, and soothing beach-accented decor. Wet bars are in all guest rooms, and the rooms in the beachside Sandpiper building have kitchenettes. The staff here are genuinely friendly and interested in making you feel at home—so much so that they'll organize children's activities even if yours are the only kids on the property. At the resort's golf-centric Ocean Club, you'll find 18 holes, a warm-up aqua range, and a putting green for members and hotel guests only. The only thing this hotel doesn't have is a wide range of eating options (there's an outdoor café at each pool, and there's just one indoor sit-down restaurant), but it gives you more of an excuse to try the great local cuisine.

By far the largest hotel in Delray Beach, this resort, formerly a Marriott, has two towers on a stellar plot of land at the east end of Atlantic Avenue—it's the only hotel that directly overlooks the water, yet it is still within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. Rooms and suites are spacious, and many have stunning ocean views. If you want a bit of pampering, there's also a spa. Furthermore, the property houses eight tricked-out Villas by the Sea, catering to its most well-heeled guests. The main resort pool is surrounded by a comfortable deck, and there's a second pool in a quiet area that's just for adults.

Travelers with a desire for the cosmopolitan but requiring the square footage and comforts of home revel in these one- and two-bedroom suites with spacious, marble-tiled, granite-topped kitchens. Couples wanting a private beach without the same level of sticker shock or bustle found 10 minutes to the south also appreciate the infinity pool and quiet sundeck. All the suites have fully stocked kitchens, in-room washer and dryer, and the finest amenities right down to the super-plush bedding and huge showers. The beach, one of the widest in the Greater Palm Beach area, offers water sports and has a little reef not even 50 feet from the shoreline that children will enjoy exploring—plus a fantastic waterslide pool, Kids Club, and many structured activities like movie nights, Ping-Pong games, and T-shirt decorating. Low-key, yet with all the modern comforts, the resort draws both baseball players and fans, who make this their home base for spring training, which is just 20 minutes north in Jupiter. Three restaurants include 3800 Ocean, with a chef's table available to reserve. The Gardens Mall is a 15-minute drive away.