Worth Traveling For
If the Great Gatsby had been set in Florida, the characters would be sipping tall, cool drinks, carrying croquet mallets, and gliding about the ample, palm-sprinkled lawns of The Boca Raton. They might spend leisure hours before a canvas, their work illuminated by the glittering light of the Floridian sun, their flapper-era clothing waving lightly in the sea breeze as they dip their brushes into their painter’s palettes, ready to compose a landscape. There’d be picnics, beach games, and racquet sports, as well. Perhaps a stolen kiss or two atop a yacht anchored in the harbor. At happy hour, they’d gather in front of Cloister, the resort’s mainstay and original stomping ground. A plummy 1926 Spanish Colonial/Mediterranean mansion designed by maestro architect Addison Mizner, it anchors the hideaway’s 200 verdant acres, setting a sublime resort mood like no other.
The Boca Raton has evolved and grown since it was built 100 years ago. But we think the Gatsby gang would approve. Now, a veritable behemoth of luxury and opulence, it has expanded its largesse to offer travelers the option of five distinct hotel experiences planted into one colossal resort. Despite its size and grandeur, The Boca Raton nevertheless remains infinitely classy, intimate, and posh. It looks to the past, but embraces the future. It’s both nostalgic and au courant at once. Choose from a dizzying array of possibilities for your resort stay’s “dance card,” including some 18 restaurants and bars, pools aplenty, a world-class spa, postcard-perfect beach, a racquet club, and an 18-hole championship golf course.
Hotel Highlights
A haven of glamour that also manages a sense of bonhomie and attentiveness by staff rarely seen in a large resort, The Boca Raton has never been better. Its $375 million re-polish completed for the centennial not only restored Mizner’s storied historic architectural elements on property, but reimagined the newer built buildings inside and out, skewing them to the needs and passions of new generations to come. Perhaps the piece-de-resistance is Spa Palmera, inspired by Andalucia’s Alhambra Palace. Encompassing some 50,000 square feet, Spa Palmera offers a full, top-of-the-line treatment menu including facials by Irene Forte and energetic rituals, such as a Crystal Essence Massage.
Eateries at The Boca Raton run the gamut from Italian to coastal cuisine. We love the Flamingo Grill, a romantic, mid-century-style chophouse, Flybridge with its chef’s table concept, and Japanese Bocce Club, a sleek sushi, sparerib, and sake joint. For cocktails: beachfront, Sand Bar is the place to swill.
Rooms and Experience
Cloister might be called the keeper of The Boca Raton’s soul. It’s a must for art and architecture lovers, and serves as the retreat’s hub or living room. Suites and rooms lean toward classic refinement here — and it provides easy access to the shops and the golf club. Tower, nearby, takes an urbane route, rising 27 floors. It has a rooftop lounge and penthouse-like suites and rooms. Beach Club pays homage to the setting. Its suites deliver barefoot chic, jaw-dropping water views, and direct access to the sand and buzzy pool. Adults-only Yacht Club, the choice for honeymooners, lies lakefront. Its standouts include personal butlers and exclusive access to the Spa Palmera pool and Flybridge restaurant. Dog and family-friendly Bungalows, situated in the garden like a small community, draws families who prefer its spacious two-bedroom suites replete with kitchens, terraces, and washer/dryers.
What to Know Before You Book
2026 is the resort’s centennial year celebration, so watch for special activities and offerings.
Those wishing to stay in Cloister will want to know that the landmark building’s 297 guestrooms and suites are currently being redesigned by Curioso, an award-winning collection of architects, interior designers, and artists. With a project completion date of early fall 2026, Cloister will remain operational throughout the process. Inspired by Addison Mizner’s influence and the glamour of 1920s Florida, the redo will include tidbits such as playful monkeys hidden in the hallway carpet as a tribute to Mizner’s famed pet, Johnnie Brown, and curvilinear headboards with contemporary proportions.
Finally, be sure to book restaurant reservations and pool cabanas in advance. Note to fashionistas: the bespoke cabanas at the Beachside Pool were designed in collaboration with stylish swimwear label Vilebrequin, and they’re all the rage for girlfriend getaways.
Address: 501 E Camino Real, Boca Raton, Florida 33432
Closest Airport: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is located approximately 25-30 miles south.
Feature image, courtesy, The Boca Raton. Travel Curator may earn commission from the booking link on this page.
