Florida has many vacation options, but they each offer their own unique charms. The Gulf Coast leans toward retirement living and easy suburban pleasures, and then there is the hectic entertainment mecca of Orlando. You might choose the sublime pleasures of Key West or the Cuban-influenced culture of Miami, but my personal favourite is the acclaimed Gold Coast.
Look past the gilded mansions and upscale shopping of Palm Beach and feast your eyes on Singer Island. This incredible strip of land offers an intoxicating blend of natural beauty and resort luxury. Nestled amongst the pristine beaches and turquoise waters is the luxurious Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa. Located at 3800 North Ocean Drive on Singer Island, this stunning resort is an easy 13 mile ride from the efficient Palm Beach International Airport. Soaring majestically 21 stories above a pristine strip of palm-fringed and sun-soaked sand, this property is the only all-suite beachfront property in Palm Beach County.
I’ll provide a few quick facts about the resort, but they really don’t do it justice until you experience if for yourself:
- Prime location on its own private beach.
- AAA Four-Diamond Award and winner of the 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.
- 193 one- and two-bedroom guest suites, ranging in size from 730 to 1200 square feet, with one or two bathrooms
- Breath-taking views and private balconies
- Fully-equipped kitchens
- Well-furnished living rooms
- Deluxe bedding
- Marble bathrooms
- In-suite washer and dryer
- High-speed wired and wireless internet access
- Flat-screen television with DVD player and premium movie channels
- Valet parking and concierge service
More Than a Vacation, It’s an Experience
General Manager Roger Amidon sets high standards of excellence at his resort. “We offer guests a stylish, sophisticated and unique resort experience on Florida’s famed Gold Coast with a wealth of on and off property sights and activities for leisure or business travel,” he commented. “Our resort staff aims to make every guest’s stay a memorable one by elevating each and every one of their experiences, whether it be cooling down their feet during the walk to their chairs on our own private beach, or during a meal at our exclusive Kitchen Table at 3800 Ocean, the guest experience is always top of mind.”
During my stay I really appreciated just how much that attention to detail can mean. Everyone on the staff was warm and friendly, from checking me in to being attentive to my every need. My suite was comfortably appointed, and spacious with a sleek décor and a color palette that reflected the surrounding beauty of sun, sand, sky and sea. The breathtaking views from my private balcony were enough to make my day, but who really wants to stay inside when you’ve got the world’s third-largest barrier reef outside your door? And did I mention the private beach? So many of Florida’s beaches are cramped and noisy, but colorful comfortably-spaced cabanas dot the white sands at this Singer Island Resort & Spa. Water activities abound, of course. Swimming, kayaking, crystal-clear snorkeling, world-class fishing and some of the most impossibly beautiful scuba diving on earth – take your pick or simply relax and soak up the gorgeous sun.
Other resort activities include a lagoon pool, infinity pool overlooking the ocean, yoga and meditation classes, bicycle rentals, beach volleyball. Near-by activities include the John D. MacArthur State Park which features hiking and biking trails, mangrove forests and other natural wonders for the eco-adventurer. The park also sits in the urban estuary of Lake Worth Lagoon where you can kayak, canoe, hike short trails and visit a Nature Center. Locally there is plenty of golf with three impressive golf clubs within easy driving distance. Best of all you are just minutes away from the upscale shops, dining and entertainment options available in Palm Beach.
The resort dining options were beyond compare. The main restaurant, 3800 Ocean, features elegant sweeping interiors and an expansive covered patio. They work on a “collective kitchen” concept, where dishes are inspired by the cultural background of the chefs. Dining choices range from American regional to casual Caribbean and include lots of local seafood and produce, as well as an extensive wine list.
I recommend trying the Kitchen Table if you have no more than five diners in your party. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure takes you right into the kitchen for a five-course meal created on the spot by Executive Chef Larry LaValley and his team of gastronomic superstars. It goes at a leisurely pace of about three hours, and is reasonably priced at only $69 per person, with cocktail and wine pairings on request.
Other dining options include the beach’s Reef Tiki Bar which serves casual bites and cocktails handmade with fresh juices – try the Signature Coconut Island Breeze served in a fresh-cracked coconut. The poolside Lagoon Cantina features fresh-made margaritas, Mexican specialties and grilled fare. For a quick bite or a Starbucks coffee and pastries, stop by the Ocean Breeze Café. At night you’ll enjoy the 3800 Ocean Lounge, which serves up exotic cocktails and Happy Hour libations Monday through Friday.
What really sets this luxury beachside resort apart is the award-winning SiSpa, which offers 8500 square feet of sea-inspired pampering, wellness therapies and fitness center. Using the natural beauty and healing powers of the ocean to work its wonders, SiSpa is one of Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 100 U.S. Resort Spas. I recommend the Voyage of the Si Chakra Experience or the Replenishing Sargasso Seaweed Experience, but you’ll definitely enjoy all of their body therapies, massages, facials, waxes and nail treatments. Enhance your spa visit with aromatherapy, warm stone, scalp treatment and scrub options, and you may never want to leave.
You may think you know Florida, but you haven’t experienced Florida’s best until you experience the style and sunshine of the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa.
Connect with Marriott Resort Palm Beach Singer Island on Social Media:
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@LiveOnVacation
