Our team at Carmen’s Luxury Travel made the most out of 2020 with staycations on both coasts of the U.S. and we plan to do even more in this new year. As always, we only like to share the best of the best in terms of luxury travel, and Preferred Hotels offers just that. Representing over 750 hotels across 85 countries, Preferred Hotels and Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand! Some of their top hotel destinations include Spain, the Caribbean, Dubai, Singapore, cities across the United States and beyond.
Join I Prefer Hotel Rewards Program for Free:
Because of their diverse portfolio, I highly recommend joining their rewards program which is absolutely free to join, and they do NOT bombard you with unnecessary emails. I have personally been an I Prefer Rewards member for years now and I love all the perks such as welcome drinks, early check-in and late check-out, room upgrades, free internet, and so much more. Being able to earn points that are redeemable for free hotel stays is also a huge plus for someone who travels as much as I do.
As far as those staycations I mentioned, we had the pleasure of staying at two gorgeous resorts recently, the first being the Montage in Laguna Beach which you can read all about my experience here. Now it is time to highlight our luxurious stay at the fabulous Eau Palm Beach Resort…
Overview:
Impressively, Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa is the only independent property in Palm Beach to earn the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition, as well as one of ten properties in Florida to earn the AAA Five Diamond Award. This made me so excited to stay here and my expectations were very high! Luckily, I live in Fort Lauderdale which is only about a 45 minute drive to Eau Palm Beach Resort, making it the perfect staycation for me. If you want an enjoyable road trip from other big Florida cities to Eau Palm Beach, it will only take you less than 90 minutes from Miami, 2.5 hours from both Orlando or Fort Myers, 3.5 hours from Orlando, and 4.5 hours from Key West.
As an I Prefer Rewards member, I checked into the Eau at a separate check-in desk with a glass of champagne to welcome me! But before seeing my room, I had to take in my opulent surroundings in the lobby and lounge areas. From the sparkling chandeliers, to marble floors and tastefully warm tones, I felt instantly transported to a palatial getaway. The interiors are very grand but also very welcoming and comfortable at the same time.
I was excited to see that the Eau Palm Beach Resort boasts not one but TWO outdoor oceanfront swimming pools for their guests to enjoy. The Main Resort Pool is bigger and perfect for the whole family, while the Tranquility Pool is exactly that… more tranquil because it is for adults only. Both pools overlook the Eau’s gorgeous stretch of private, white sand beach.
Another important thing to note is that the Eau Palm Beach Resort is dog friendly! I was so happy to learn this and would love to return with my two pups. Please note that there is an extra fee for dogs, as well as a 25 pound weight limit and two dog limit per room. Even better, a portion of the deposit fee will be donated to the Big Dog Ranch Rescue which is one of the largest cage-free, no-kill dog rescues in the United States!
Stylish Accommodation:
Stepping into my Ocean View King room was such a feast for the eyes, as every guest room was fashioned by the famous and talented Jonathan Adler. He is known for his modern and luxurious home furnishings which is very apparent here at Eau Palm Beach. I absolutely loved the fun pops of color throughout the room because they perfectly celebrate Palm Beach’s colorful personality with elements of the sun, sand, and sea.
All of the furniture was beautifully modern and functional as well. I loved the lounge chair beside my plush king bed with a fabulous headboard and decorative yellow accent pillow. There was also plenty of space to work with a desk and chairs looking out onto the balcony. In fact, ALL the rooms at the Eau Palm Beach Resort are spacious and feature a private balcony with a stylish hanging chair to enjoy spectacular views. I loved starting my day with the views and sounds of the Atlantic Ocean only steps away.
The fabulosity continued into the bathroom with incredible blue framed mirror features, marble everywhere, and a separate bath tub and shower. I also appreciated the double sinks, with plenty of storage underneath, and a separate toilet room.
Award-Winning Spa:
Whether you’re staying overnight or simply visiting for the day, a visit to the Eau Palm Beach Resort is not complete without enjoying their award-winning spa. Hands down, Eau Spa is one of the most impressive hotel spas I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. It’s no wonder that Forbes Travel gave it their prestigious Five-Star rating, making Eau Spa one of only 48 spas in the world to share this honor!
Why is it so fabulous? For starters, the Eau Spa boasts over 42,000 square feet of playful relaxation. From the moment you put on your slippers, their goal is to whisk you away to an adult’s playground and spoil you rotten. And thanks to the total relaxation and glamorous pampering, that is exactly how I felt! There are 19 treatment rooms with customized scents, music and lighting color where you can indulge in a variety of different treatments.
During my visit to the Eau Spa, I enjoyed an Eau Naturale Facial for 60 perfect minutes. This organic anti-aging facial helps to turn back the clock by utilizing nature’s most powerful allies: omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, concentrated antioxidants, and more to help restore skin to radiant health. I felt totally at peace knowing that this facial was 100{fd1018b708dc11e6d771fa6d5ce8eacdee7a6add7c2315f27e48bc4e47591114} comprised of botanicals and entirely free of all synthetics, dyes, chemicals, and sulfates.
You can easily (and happily!) spend all day lounging at the Eau Spa, as there is just so much space to explore. For those feeling spiritual, pay a visit to the grand bronze rotunda with a candle-lit Wishing Well, or the self-centered garden with dipping pools, hanging chairs, cabanas, and a massage bench. There are also private garden villas with outdoor showers, tubs, and lounge areas for those looking for some serious peace and relaxation. Along with saunas, steam rooms, and oversized jacuzzis, there are a myriad of spots to recharge your mind and body.
Don’t forget to stop by their hair and nail salon, and BEAUtique Shop to treat yourself even more. Or if you’re feeling more energized, head to their fitness center where you’ll discover a movement studio with spinning, pilates, barre and yoga classes. Eau Spa is absolutely worth a visit, I would even drive the 45 minutes from my house to treat myself to a few hours of pampering and tranquility here.
Dining Options:
The Eau Palm Beach Resort has 4 fabulous places to dine (not including room service) for any occasion, but we only had time for 2 during our stay. First up is Breeze Ocean Kitchen, a beautiful oceanfront restaurant that is perfect for lunch and happy hour. Here you can enjoy the Atlantic’s “fruits de mer” from the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean. I ordered a fresh and flavorful lobster salad – you can expect seasonal dishes here along with a local catch of the day. They also have an award-winning selection of local craft beers so I recommend visiting between 5-7 pm for happy hour too.
For a special, fine dining experience, I would absolutely recommend eating at Angle for dinner. Angle is Eau’s elegant, farm to table restaurant where the chef’s play homage to Florida’s agriculture by working closely with local purveyors to source the best and most seasonal ingredients. There is a strong focus here on prime meats and market driven seafood, along with an impressive cocktail menu and an award-winning wine selection.
My main course consisted of a perfectly cooked piece of sea bass with parsnips, leeks, and Beluga Lentils. However, the show-topping dish at Angle was their unique take on Key Lime Pie. They make a wonderful Key Lime Mousse with Streusel and heat it over an open flame. Both the presentation and taste is impressive, and I loved that they also paired it with Orange Sorbet and Meringue Kisses.
Conclusion:
A stay at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa is a decadent escape, pure and simple. If you want to treat yourself to the finer things in life and focus on pure relaxation, then this is the resort for you. This is one of many exquisite Preferred Hotels & Resorts around the world, so don’t forget to sign up for their rewards program today! It is free, takes only a couple minutes, and will be one of the best travel decisions you’ll ever make.
Disclosure: I was a guest of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, but all opinions here are my own.
