Family-friendly resort in Florida
By Michelle Rae Uy
The Boca Raton Resort & Club (Courtesy Hilton)
Why Go: It’s a timeless beauty that exudes elegance and grace as well as comfort and, of course, fun – the perfect resort for a Florida family vacation nestled away from the hectic hum of theme parks and cities.
The Boca Raton Resort & Club is a sprawling 356-acre property in lovely Boca Raton, Florida, with a year-round tropical climate and a grand, romantic architecture that features the Spanish-Mediterranean, Moorish, Gothic and contemporary styles, that feels very much like the quintessential Southern retreat.
The family-friendly Waldorf Astoria resort has certainly come a long way from its humble beginnings as the Cloister Inn, earning its place as one of the top south Florida luxury resorts today. It now features five great properties, each with its own character, modern amenities, quiet gardens, seven pools, a private beach, a luxurious, award-winning spa, 16 unique restaurants and lounges, and a plethora of land and water activities including the new FLOWRIDER wave simulator to accommodate the more active guests.
Getting There: The resort is an easy 30-minute drive from the Fort Lauderdale International Airport and about an hour away from Miami so whether you rent a car, hail a cab or request for private car to come pick you up, the choice is yours.
Getting Oriented: The resort is split into two properties – the Boca Raton Resort & Club and the Boca Beach Club. Boca Raton Resort & Club is nestled on the southwestern edge of Lake Boca Raton where the Gulf Stream meets the lake while Boca Beach Club is situated on an Eastern peninsula on the Atlantic side. Guests of either property can easily access both with the resort’s complimentary shuttle service, which runs every 15 minutes.
A Boca Beach Club Suite (Courtesy Hilton)
Room Options: Boca Raton Resort & Club has 1,047 deluxe guestrooms, housed in its five properties – the Cloister, the Yacht Club, the Tower, the recently renovated Boca Beach Club, and the Bungalows. Each room features the usual modern and family-friendly amenities like flat screen TVs, cable, WiFi, coffee maker, mini bar and bathrobes, as well as beautiful furnishings and accents, which vary depending on the property.
In-room highlights in the Cloister include rainfall showers, winged rattan and leather headboards, and mahogany-topped desk while rooms and suites at the Tower (the tallest building in Boca Raton) offer expansive views of the Intracoastal Waterway or the golf course and Atlantic Ocean. Luxurious guest rooms at the Boca Beach Club feature granite counter tops and vanities, separate tub and shower, and black-out curtains.
Best of all, large and multi-generational families can spend some quality time together but still spread out and enjoy the space, thanks to the resort’s connecting rooms and 187 suites.
Just for Kids: The award-winning resort, voted as one of the “Greatest Hotels in the World” by Travel + Leisure, is not just a place to relax and unwind. It’s also a great place to stay active, thanks to its family-friendly recreational offerings, particularly South Florida’s first Flow House that features the dual-sided FLOWRIDER.
FLOWRIDER, Boca Raton Resort & Club’s new and popular attraction (Courtesy Hilton)
Since its launch in December 2014, the FLOWRIDER wave simulator has been a big hit with kids (and adults too!), providing a safe and fun environment for surfing and body surfing beginners as well as a place for non-beginners to practice their skills when surfing conditions aren’t optimal. Surf and private lessons are available, should you and the kids wish to learn from the experts while night surfing and Glow Flow Black-Light Surfing (Saturdays from 6-9 pm) are available for night owls.
Take advantage of the resort’s “Live Like a Floridian” package for unlimited use of the new FLOWRIDER wave simulator and a $25 food & beverage credit. Valid through December 31, 2015.
Another kid-friendly feature of the resort is the super cool Mizner’s Quest Club, which not only provides a safe place for kids ages 3 and up to learn, play and discover while the adults squeeze in some R&R, but also keeps them busy and entertained. Depending on your preference as well as your kid’s age, your child can take advantage of the Quest Clubhouse & Arcade, the Quest Club Camp, the Golf Camp, the Tennis Camp, the Aquatics Program for the kids, and many more!
What to Do: A nice cool dip at one of the resort’s seven family-friendly pools, bodysurfing on FLOWRIDER, a round of golf, a game of croquet and biking are a few of the great options for those wanting to stay on land. Collaborating with the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, the resort also offers a Sea Turtle Hatching Program for animal lovers and future marine biologists.
Waldorf Astoria Spa at Boca Raton Resort & Club (Courtesy Hilton)
Moms and daughters will truly enjoy spending half a day luxuriating at the Waldorf Astoria Spa, considered one of the best spas in the world. The Ritual Bath at the spa, which treats guests to a glorious 50-minute relaxation ritual involving a variety of water treatments in an elegant balneum-type room, is an unforgettable experience. A soothing signature massage after is also ideal.
With Boca Beach Club’s private beach and its clear blue waters, water lovers have access to a number of activities and facilities, including a full-service marina, a Surf School that accommodates all ages and skill levels, a PADI Bubble Maker for kids who want to learn scuba diving, boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing, and snorkeling, to name a few. Swimming is, of course, essential for a complete experience.
Where to Eat: Foodie families will revel in the many fantastic dining options on-site (12 to be exact), and since there are offerings from breakfast to late-night snacking, guests wouldn’t have to venture far for nourishment.
For full breakfasts, Palm Court at the Cloister and SeaGrille Restaurant at the Beach Club offer hearty starts to the day. Don’t miss out on the fresh orange juice that’s to die for!
For lunch, take the kids to the Beach Club, order some terrific fish tacos or sandwiches and fruity drinks at Beaches Restaurant and Bar, and have a nice and laid-back lunch on the beach under the cool shelter of your complimentary beach umbrellas.
For dinner, try delicious Italian creations at Lucca, great sushi at Morimoto’s Sushi Bar, or meat dishes at 501 East Kitchen.
the blue (Courtesy Hilton)
During your stay, take the whole family up to the 27th floor of the Tower for an unforgettable feast at the blue where they combine superb cooking with a lovely ambience and sweeping views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic. Reserve a table just before sunset. Try the claw bar or the Oven-Roasted Maine Lobster. Not a seafood lover? Their Cider Bone-In Pork Chop is perfection and their Creamed Spinach is addictive! The service? Excellent!
For coffee, snacks and pastries, head to Serendipity. Cool down with their signature Frrrozen Hot Chocolate.
(MORE: Top Adventures with Kids in Fort Lauderdale, South Florida)
Insider Tips:
- Have some time before your next engagement or just looking to get to know the property better? Go on an interactive Mizner’s Quest and uncover the resort’s history, quirks and secrets.
- SeaGrille Restaurant has more breakfast items for those looking for a good variety. Try their omelet station and smother that Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with cream cheese with chives.
- With sommelier Roberto Colombi at the helm, the blue’s wine selection is nothing short of exceptional. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations based on your taste and preference!
- Take a self-guided tour and see the many interesting sculptures across the property. Can’t afford to purchase and ship one home? The Baker Sponder Gallery near the resort lobby has smaller models.
- Go for a night swim. All the pools on-site are heated to a very comfortable temperature, especially at night!
Michelle Rae Uy contributed this to MiniTime. She is a travel writer based in Los Angeles and MiniTime’s Head of Content, who spends her free time on adventures and film photography.
