I am just home from my annual girls trip with dear friends. These ladies and I have taken a trip every year since 2018 and it’s always one of the highlights of my year. We travel so well together and have similar interests/budgets/likes and dislikes. When you find your crew like that, you don’t mess with it.
In years past we have done everything from The Breakers to Nantucket to Vegas. However, we have realized over the years that we are ultimately happiest and most relaxed when we book a beach trip. We collectively love The Breakers and consistently rank it as our favorite resort. This year we decided to strive for the same vibe as The Breakers while trying a new to us property. We landed on The Boca Raton in Florida.
The Boca Raton is almost as storied as The Breakers and is very similar in almost all aspects. Here’s a snippet from Wikipedia:
The Boca Raton (often called the Boca Resort by locals) is a luxury resort and club in Boca Raton, Florida, founded in 1926, today comprising 1,047 hotel rooms across 337 acres. Its facilities include a 18-hole golf course, a 50,000 sq. ft. Forbes Five-Star spa, eight swimming pools, 30 tennis courts, a full-service 32-slip marina, more than 15 restaurants and bars, and 200,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.[1][2] The property fronts both Lake Boca (part of the Intracoastal Waterway) and the Atlantic Ocean. The resort was operated as part of Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts, and it is now privately owned by an affiliate of MSD Partners with the new name, The Boca Raton.
The resort first opened on February 6, 1926, as the 100-room Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn. Originally designed and built by Boca Raton’s city planner, architect Addison Mizner, who intended Camino Real to be the main street of his new city, it was to have been one of two hotels, with the other being an oceanfront hotel. However, the Ritz-Carlton Investment Corporation became involved in the project and wanted the oceanfront hotel redesigned, so construction began on the smaller and financially more viable 100-room inn on the west side of Lake Boca Raton
The Boca Raton Photos
We chose to stay in the historic Cloister building and would do it again in a heartbeat. We seriously contemplated the Beach Club location, but ended up very happy with our decision to stay near the majority of the restaurants and marina. Taking the shuttle or water taxi to the beach was a piece of cake.
I arrived Thursday afternoon (easy flights on Delta from GSP to ATL to FLL) and immediately met my girls poolside for a delicious late lunch.
Travel Day
Our first dinner of the trip took place at Flamingo Grill, which was splendid. Overall, the food at The Boca Raton was fabulous. I didn’t have a single meal I didn’t love, whether it was casual poolside fare or a fancy steakhouse feast. Pink doors are always indicative of a fantastic meal.
Flamingo Grill
My friends split the caviar service, which I do not enjoy, but they said it was phenomenal.
Caviar Service
Friday morning greeted us with lots of rain, which was a bummer, but thankfully it moved out by 2:00. We salvaged the afternoon poolside and then motored over to the Beach Club side of the resort for dinner at Marisol. It’s tough to choose a favorite meal from this trip, but this might be it. It’s Mediterranean, which is always a good idea. I was so busy soaking in time with my friends that I failed to get a single picture.
Saturday was sunny and hot…in other words, perfect beach weather. We parked ourselves in beach chairs for the entire day and loved every second. The boat scene at The Boca Raton is excellent.
Beach and Boats
Dinner Saturday evening took place at quite possibly the most gorgeous table EVER. Principessa Ristorante has a few waterfront tables and my girls and I were lucky enough to secure one. As with all of the other meals we consumed at The Boca Raton, this was exceptional.
Dinner with a View
Our last day was just as beautiful as Saturday. I didn’t fly out until 4:20, so I was able to linger poolside until after lunch. Bur first, we kicked off our day with a mimosa tower at Saddelle’s. We ate every breakfast at Saddelle’s and never ordered the same thing twice. No surprise, everything was incredible.
Mimosa Tower
The very accommodating staff gave me a 4:00 PM checkout! Woohoo! I read by the pool and soaked in all the glorious warmth until the last possible second. My flights home were as quick and easy as my flights to FLL. All in all, a FANTASTIC trip.
Poolside
I have ONE gripe that I feel is worth mentioning: The Boca Raton appears to be a popular spot for conventions. I can see why….lots of direct flights from major airports, excellent facilities, wonderful staff, gorgeous scenery. That being said, the number of large events scheduled for the weekend created some inconveniences for regular guests. Two of the pools (including the adult pool we loved so much) were closed Saturday afternoon and evening for parties, which meant the remaining pools were PACKED. No chairs, no service, no room. Given the amount we paid to stay at the resort, this was frustrating. Is it a reason not to return? NO. But it’s something to consider. If at all possible, I would probably try to stay during the week next time.
Another thing worth mentioning: Boca is a precious town, but it doesn’t compare to West Palm. When we visit The Breakers, we always spend an evening wandering around downtown window shopping. If this is of importance to you, choose The Breakers. If you’re content to stay at the resort, The Boca Raton is a great option.
I hope The Boca Raton is around for the next 100 years!
