Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa

Every aspect of the aesthetic -- from the torii-style entrance to the clean-lined, Zen-inspired furniture throughout -- is a blend of modern Japanese and Balinese decor. Mood music and club-style lighting seeps into every space adding a subtle, club-like air. The minimalist vibe treads a fine line between chic and austere, however. The hard, angular architecture, monochromatic color palette, and pared-down furnishings border on cold and monotonous. Between the swanky restaurant/bar, oceanfront dining terrace, beautiful stretch of beach, and stylish, South Beach-inspired pool terrace, the atmosphere hums from late morning to well after sundown. While children are allowed, the hotel is best suited for singles and couples.

The hotel sits on a semi-private stretch of beach that’s easily among South Florida’s most pristine and beautiful. The entrance lies on a moderately trafficked road with little of interest within fast walking distance. The radius around the hotel is home to some of South Florida’s poshest real estate and lifestyle attractions. The International Polo Club of Palm Beach, upscale restaurants at City Place, haute couture shopping on Worth Avenue, and a handful of world-class golf courses are all within a 20-minute drive. Palm Beach International (PBI) Airport is 20 minutes away via highway. The hotel does not offer airport transportation. However, Uber and standard taxi services are both easy and affordable alternatives.

Room decor pulls inspiration from a variety of Asian countries, from Japan to Bali, with subtle modern touches. Wide, louvered balcony doors, organically-curved furniture, and ceramic flooring burnished to look like oxidizing metal collectively provide a visual departure from Palm Beach’s more staid and stuffy hotels. However, the minimal artwork and dark-on-white color palette can feel a bit lifeless.Almost every room offers an identical 320-square-foot (30-square-meter) floor plan that differs mainly in the view. The flagship Oceanfront King Suites provide double the square footage with a separate seating area and an oceanfront veranda. Entry-level Garden View Rooms are situated on the first floor and lack any notable view. Pool View Rooms and Partial Ocean View Rooms provide respective upgraded views, although views in some of the latter should underscore the word “partial.” Most rooms offer private, furnished balconies. Standard amenities include minibars (fee), 55-inch flat-screen TVs, and fast, free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms in most rooms are modestly sized, but all offer upscale fit and finish, glass shower stalls, and Paya brand amenities. Oceanfront King Suites add deep soak tubs and dual vanities.

The list of resort amenities delivers on most of its promises. While technically public, the stretch of beach is rarely visited by anyone but the area’s hotel guests. It’s wide, quiet, and immaculately maintained. Ample beach chairs and loungers are provided, and drink service is available for a fee.Brandon’s Palm Beach restaurant is an open-concept space that blends seamlessly from the dark, chic bar to the bright dining space lined with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the beachfront terrace with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and room service (fee) are all available. Most dishes are seafood-focused, and many are served using experimental techniques like sous vide and freezing food with liquid nitrogen. Just off the bar is Mizu, an intimate, dinner-only sushi bar with TVs, lounge seating, and an extensive a la carte sushi menu.The pool has a surprisingly swanky, Miami Beach vibe and smart landscaping provides a sense of being miles from anywhere (though the pool is technically by the parking lot, you can't really tell once inside). The terrace is surrounded by a variety of patio furniture, including loungers and outdoor beds. At the far end are a stylish waterfall, a hot tub, and an intimate bar that provides drink service throughout the space.The full-service spa is spacious, modern, and lovely with a long list of massage and beauty treatments. The adjacent fitness room is bright and well-stocked with a selection of free weights, yoga equipment, and modern cardio- and strength-training machines with individual TV screens.Wi-Fi is free throughout. Valet parking is mandatory and pricing is comparable to other Palm Beach area hotels.