Major Boca

The Boca Raton Beach Club (Boca Raton)

GETAWAYS • Boca Raton

First opened in 1926, The Boca Raton was Addison Mizner’s answer to the Breakers in Palm Beach and served as a playground for the rich and famous for decades. It recently underwent a nine-figure renovation that included the addition of several Major Food Group restaurants within the historic main resort building and a complete overhaul to its oceanfront Beach Club across the intracoastal (accessible by five-minute boat or shuttle ride).

I recently checked into the Beach Club, which reopened in January, and quickly surrendered to the seaside luxury. The resort is anchored by an oceanfront lagoon-style swimming pool (there’s also an adults-only option) with stylish striped lounge chairs and umbrellas. Inside, the club is decked out with floor-to-ceiling windows, mid-century modern-inspired furniture, and blonde hardwood, making for a luxurious beach house aesthetic with throwback charm.

Guest rooms are big and bright, with ocean-facing suites whose big, sliding glass doors open up to balconies or private lanais.

The Beach Club’s central bar is the social hub where guests gather every night at sunset to enjoy breezes on the long, outdoor patio, before moving onto Marisol or Onda for dinner. The former focuses on Greek mezze and cocktails, while the latter specializes in local seafood. To get a taste of Major Food Group in Boca, I shuttled over to the main resort, where Principessa occupies an ornate, high-ceilinged dining room overlooking the intracoastal for beef carpaccio, spicy shrimp scampi capellini, and rigatoni bolognese. (There’s also an outpost of Sadelle’s for lox and bagels in a grand Art Deco setting.)

With over a dozen dining destinations between two resorts, a spa, golf course, tennis courts, and a marina, you could easily spend a week at the Boca Raton and never leave. It’s a fascinating piece of South Florida history and a true immersion in seaside luxury. –Matt Meltzer

→ The Boca Raton Beach Club (Boca Raton) • 900 S Ocean Blvd • Rates from $912.