When you're vacationing in Florida, it's usually all about
Florida beaches.
Satellite launches, roller coasters and nature experiences are great activities to squeeze in, as long as you get to start and end your day on the water. From Miami to Clearwater and several other places in between, Florida's beach resorts stand ready to meet the needs of travelers from around the world. Here are just a few of our favorites.
Looking for more resorts, see Best Florida Resort Hotels »
South Florida Beachfront Resorts
The Newport Beachside Hotel - Sunny Isles Beach
Just minutes from
Miami Beach and
Fort Lauderdale is the community of Sunny Isles Beach with its waterfront
Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort. Perfect for a wedding or family getaway, this resort also boasts an in-house spa.
Treatment options include a tension-melting massage performed with heated Indonesian tiger shells, as well as manicure and pedicure treatments for the diva on the dash. Hair and brow services, along with a full range of wax options are also available. Water sports and divinely-inspired dining options are also available. So whether you're in the mood for some kid-friendly frolicking or a romantic weekend for two, this beachside establishment will be able to deliver.
The Palms Hotel - Miami Beach
Having received honorable distinction from Florida's
Green Lodging Program,
The Palms Hotel in
Miami Beach provides a natural setting for guests which carries over into the on-site Aveda spa. Enjoy a Thai-style stretch, ritual hand treatment or intimate couple's massage. Natural gourmet food and gracious dining is available at the property's signature restaurant and lounge, Essensia. Oceanfront serenity is available for morning or evening walks, while the pool and garden facilities stand ready for afternoon relaxation.
The Fontainebleau - Miami Beach
Located in sexy
Miami Beach, the
Fontainebleau is synonymous with sinfully-decadent luxury. Relaxation options include the luxurious Lapis spa, posh pools and magnificent mojitos. Fine dining options range from sizzling steak to succulent sushi, with a fair amount of culinary flare in between.
Book a spa treatment, stroll on the beachfront boardwalk, dive into the waves or relax by the pool for a day of shopping in South Beach. The Fontainebleau is famous for a reason. It gets the luxury job done.
The Breakers - Palm Beach
If you're looking for a chic and sophisticated getaway in
Palm Beach,
The Breakers deserves your consideration. With on-site, world-class luxury shopping and one of the top 25 spas in North America, The Breakers pairs luxury with access to activities such as scuba diving, championship golf, beach yoga and sunset bicycle tours. With nine restaurants on location, discerning diners will not be disappointed either.
Gansevoort - Miami Beach
If you're looking for star-studded accommodations in glitzy
Miami Beach, then you'll definitely want to put the
Gansevoort on your list of luxury options. Playing regular host to such celebrity A-listers as Serena Williams, LeBron James, Justin Beiber and Kourtney Kardashian, this property is definitely a place to see and be seen. The fire pits, waterfront teepees and poolside cabanas are just part of the posh accommodation scene you'll experience at the Gansevoort. Numerous on-property dining options are available, including the sizzling and sexy STK. This steak house features cuisine by Chef Ralph Pagano, a former runner up on Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen who has battled Iron Chef Bobby Flay himself. Chef Pagano blends exotic spices, Italian style and French technique into the menu selection at STK.
Ritz Carlton - Fort Lauderdale
Whether you're shopping in
Fort Lauderdale or simply looking to avoid the spring break crowd while you're in town, the
Ritz Carlton is available to take you away from it all. With golf, a club lounge reserved for a handful of discerning guests, gourmet dining and a hotel spa offering massage and sea salt treatments, the Fort Lauderdale Ritz Carlton lives up to its name. Not up for a full meal? Try the property's several-thousand-bottle-strong wine cellar or an ocean-view Scotch at Via Luna.
Miami Beach Resort and Spa
Experience championship-style Miami golf, waterfront relaxation and access to glitzy nightlife of
Miami Beach at the
Miami Beach Resort and Spa. With five separate dining options, spa services and access to the beach, you'll have everything you need on site. Participate in a scuba diving adventure, deep sea fishing excursion or keep it casual with a family game of beach volleyball. Salt water and sand stand ready for your splashing enjoyment, as does the resort's heated pool. Jet ski and boat rentals are also available. The resort spa offers couple's massages, toning treatments, Miami Beach pedicures and a wide variety of spa treatments designed for the guys as well.
Gulf Coast Beachfront Resorts
Sheraton Sand Key - Clearwater
With
Clearwater Beach acknowledged as one of the
best Florida beaches in the country, and the
Sheraton Sand Key receiving top marks for hospitality towards travelers, this is a beach resort vacationers to Florida will truly enjoy. Enjoy a parmesan-crusted calamari steak at the hotel's award-winning Rusty's Bistro with executive chef John Harris at the helm.
During your stay, experience the
Clearwater Aquarium, catch a show at Ruth Eckerd Hall or simply lounge on the beach. With the hotel pool, fitness center access and massage services available, it's easy to maintain your personal fitness routine while still enjoying all that Clearwater has to offer.
The Sandpearl Resort - Clearwater Beach
When it comes to blending eco travel with luxury, the
Sandpearl Resort in
Clearwater Beach has it all locked up. Available for weddings and events as well as romantic or family getaways, Sandpearl boasts fine cuisine and organic cooking demonstrations by Executive Chef Steve Jordan, along with an in-house spa offering a long list of luxurious options including a six-hour signature treatment.
It's the only silver LEED-certified green hotel in Florida, which means you can relax if channeling your travel dollars towards sustainable tourism is as important to you as luxury. Activities include wine-tasting classes, a visit to the Dali Museum, astronomy night, s'mores on the beach and more.
Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort
With a six terrace, Balinese-inspired spa recently named one of the top in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler, Audubon-endorsed private golf course, sushi bar and a beach restaurant on site, it's hard not to love the
Marco Island Marriott, especially after a day in the nearby
Everglades.
With water sports, flame dancers and family-friendly resort activities, there's something at the resort for the whole family. Feeling adventurous? Take a scenic Everglades biking tour or book a dolphin-watching excursion. There'll be plenty of sand and seafood for you to enjoy at the end of your busy day.
Tween Waters Inn - Captiva
Heading to Captiva? Then the
Tween Waters Inn is likely just what the doctor ordered. With guest rooms, seaside cottages and ocean-view studios, there's a head-resting option to suit literally every style. With several dining options on location, a marina and salt water galore the basics are covered for a successful seaside visit to sunny Florida. And then there's the spa. With lemongrass and grapefruit body treatments, as well as prenatal, hot stone and traditional massage, the decadence does nothing but continue. Manicures, pedicures and facial treatments are also available.
South Seas Island Resort - Captiva/Sanibel
In Captiva, Florida the
South Seas Island Resort provides pampering and style in a luxurious seaside location. With a sailing school, spa and various kid-friendly activities on site, the only thing left to decide is what's for dinner. As a family resort, South Seas' fine dining options are casual and well-suited to dining with the kids. For seaside fresh fish and fine cuts of meat, the Harbourside Bar & Grill stands ready overlooking the marina. Poolside fare is available at the Pointe Restaurant and Scoops & Slices, housed in a retro-style diner serves Edy's ice cream and pizza. For southern-style grub, look no further than Holy Smoke Heavenly Barbecue. Shopping is a bike or trolley ride away at Chadwick's Square, and guided walking and kayak tours are also a great way to unwind. Nearby
Sanibel Island is also an excellent spot for shelling enthusiasts.
East Coast Beachfront Resorts
Casa Marina - Jacksonville Beach
An elegant fixture in
Jacksonville Beach since 1925, the classic
Casa Marina is one of Florida's Historic Hotels of America in accordance with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Having hosted the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, President Truman, Al Capone and Charlie Chaplain to name just a few, the Casa Marina has a history of providing luxury accommodations on the beach to those with discerning tastes. The Mediterranean design and attention to detail in the décor make this a romantic beach getaway for the books, and the penthouse lounge is perfect for enjoying happy hour after a day on the beach.
The Daytona Hilton - Daytona Beach
When you need a break from the hustle and bustle of
Bike Week and all of the other
things to do in Daytona Beach, consider booking a relaxing room at the
Daytona Hilton. With live entertainment options including a piano lounge, two pools, a fitness center and spa on the property, the Hilton brings more luxury bang to the travel table than most of the other hotels in town. If shopping in Daytona tickles your fancy, the resort is connected via walkways to a shopping venue that includes numerous shops and a movie complex. A number of restaurants are available there as well as at the resort, if you feel the need to unwind after an active day of fishing or parasailing.
Ritz Carlton - Amelia Island
With a full service spa, fitness center, indoor and outdoor heated pools and a children's activity program, the
Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island brings luxury to the family travel experience. Enjoy dining on red quinoa risotto, lobster, artisan cheeses and more at one of the resorts four restaurants. An equal number of cocktail lounges exist as well. More of a spa fan? Try the resorts signature treatment, a honey butter body wrap, or a shea butter massage followed by a paraffin hand or foot treatment. With private room balconies, twice-daily maid service and marble bath tubs, the rooms themselves bring their fair share of luxury to the guest experience. With a championship golf course and over a mile of dune-lined beach front, this
Amelia Island, Florida resort definitely provides an escape the entire family can enjoy.
Hit the Beach
Waterfront fun in Florida certainly isn't difficult to find. With this list of quality beach hotels under your belt, you can start planning your sensational sandy getaway today.
Looking for more resorts, see Best Florida Resort Hotels »