Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa

Clever, early 20th-century-style architecture belies the hotel’s original 1990s construction date. As a rebranded Ritz-Carlton, many elements of the iconic luxury hotel brand remain. A wide, Spanish tile-covered entryway gives way to a posh lobby and sprawling hallways and interior spaces -- all designed to exude luxury and grandeur. Ornate, century-old antiques adorn most of the common areas, crystal chandeliers hang from the tiered ceilings, and gold-leaf furnishings seem pulled from a Parisian palace. All this regality and sophistication, not surprisingly, creates an atmosphere that’s quiet and reserved, bordering on stuffy. It’s a property geared to attract more couples than families, but the clientele is a mostly even mix of both. Families especially love the proximity to the beach.

The location along oceanfront A1A in Manalapan (away from the hustle and nonstop development of Palm Beach proper) is a double-edged sword. Aside from a few casual beach restaurants, there’s little within walking distance. However, the long list of amenities creates something of an oasis where it’s likely guests will never need -- or even want -- to leave. It’s an ideal place for guests looking to escape Palm Beach, rather than vacation in the thick of it. For guests who want to explore, there are several world-class golf courses, plus the shopping, restaurants, and nightlife of CityPlace within a 25-minute drive north. Palm Beach International Airport is 20 minutes away. The hotel can facilitate private airport transportation on request.

The Jonathan Adler room decor is bold, contemporary, and playful. The nautical theme leans heavily on a yellow-on-blue color palette and disparate geometric patterns to create a one-of-a-kind look. Pop art might include seahorse images or whimsical photographs of a car-shaped boat. It’s a distinct departure from the staid, traditional (some might say stodgy) aesthetic that has long defined Palm Beach.

Entry-level rooms feature spacious, studio layouts. Suites upgrade to multi-room floor plans with separate living and sleeping areas. The long list of modern luxury amenities in all rooms includes touch screen do-not-disturb panels, large flat-screen TVs, 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, and premium stocked minibars with snacks, wine, and soft drinks. Wi-Fi is fast, free, and reliable.

The beautifully designed bathrooms are awash in floor-to-ceiling marble or travertine. Playful, ocean blue accents and wallpaper add a contemporary punch. Shower stalls, stand-alone bathtubs, hairdryers, and Red Flower brand bath amenities are standard. All units offer private, furnished balconies with resort or ocean views.

Features here are as luxurious and well-thought out as the rooms. Angle is the hotel’s fine-dining, dinner-only restaurant for contemporary American cuisine. Temple Orange Mediterranean Bistro offers more relaxed indoor and alfresco dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is not included in room rates. Breeze Ocean Kitchen is a casual, outdoor eatery serving lunch amid panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Room service is available 24 hours, for a fee.

The Resort Pool is the centerpiece of the hotel’s outdoor social scene. Padded lounge chairs ring the space, while umbrellas and towering palm trees provide ample shade throughout the day. The beach and Breeze Ocean Kitchen are both a few steps away, making it easy to spend an entire day here. On the opposite side of the property, the Adult Pool offers a decidedly quieter, more relaxed vibe. Unfortunately, the location -- squeezed into a U-shaped room wing -- means the pool terrace receives a little too much shade throughout the day.

The 42,000-square-foot (3,900-square-meter) spa and salon is massive, even by Palm Beach standards. Almost every imaginable massage treatment and beauty service is available. There’s also a water garden, hydrotherapy rooms, exclusive pools, and large hot tubs. The high-end retail spa shop sells bikinis, sunscreen, reading materials, and snacks.

The miles-long beach is immaculately well-maintained. The hotel’s own semi-private patch of sand is technically open to the public but non-guests rarely wander in. Though it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Palm Beach, the sand disappears almost entirely at high tide. The water, however, is frequently calm any time of year and is ideal for swimming or snorkeling.

The spacious gym features modern Life Fitness cardio and strength-training machines, plus free weights and yoga equipment. Free specialty workout classes are led daily. Fast, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property including at the beach. Only paid valet parking is provided with rates typical of Palm Beach County. Pets are allowed for a per-stay fee.