News

Summer specials EXCLUSIVELY for readers of The Coastal Star

 The Four Seasons: 15 percent off dinner in The Restaurant. Offer available Sunday through Thursday evenings until Dec. 15.

The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach: Limited view room with automatic upgrade to Resort view for $199 plus taxes per night through Sept. 30.  Includes complimentary valet parking. Mention code FLDU

The Breakers: Unlimited golf on the Ocean Course and The Breakers Rees Jones Course, at specially priced greens fees (including cart: $60 per person, per day, from June 20-Sept. 30, 2011; $130 per person, per day (18 holes); $80 per person, per day (9 holes) — from June 1-19

Please present this box, or inform the resort that you read about its special in
The Coastal Star.

By Steve Pike

The great American novelist Thomas Wolfe wrote You Can’t Go Home Again about a town called Libya Hill. With all respect to Asheville, N.C.’s favorite son, why would South Floridians want to leave home?

Palm Beach County boasts some of the world’s great destination resorts and beachfront hotels, most of which offer Florida resident packages in the summer and fall, so locals can treat themselves to the same experiences as winter snowbirds, often for a fraction of the cost.

Most of the properties offer more than one summer package, so there should be something for the whole family, whether it’s golf, fine dining, water activities, spa treatments or kids camps.

The “drive” market as it is known — the market between here and south Georgia — has become increasingly important to this area’s resorts and hotels as they seek to fill rooms and restaurants that just a few weeks ago were occupied by northern visitors.

“The locals have been so supportive and so excited to see a luxury product like the Seagate Hotel & Spa in their area,” said Kate Connor, director of sales and marketing at the Seagate, which opened in 2009 on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. “We’re starting to see a lot of familiar faces in the restaurant and the spa.”

“A lot of our summer business and leisure business comes from the tri-county area: Palm Beach, Broward and Dade counties,” said David Burke, director of marketing at The Breakers in Palm Beach. “When the recession started hitting a couple of years ago, we started focusing more on the local market — not just in the summer time, but on a year-round basis.”

Given that gas prices remain in the $4 per gallon range, “stay-cations” might be even more appealing to locals, who can use the money saved on an additional amenity, such as a second massage, a cabana or another round of golf.

“We certainly look to South Florida as being our primary market,” Connor said. “Traditionally it’s the largest market for the hotels here in the summer, so we are looking at that market to be the strongest part of our occupancy this summer.”

                                                                            A bungalow at The Breakers

The Breakers

1 South County Road, Palm Beach, 655-6611

One of the world’s great resorts also is one of the most family-friendly, with an interactive kids camp and a family entertainment center, with more than 20 classic arcade games as well as video game systems.  Oh yes, there’s also the beach. 

The Breakers’ summer rates begin at $269 per room per night (through Sept. 30). Free or specially priced amenities include complimentary weekday continental breakfast, kids’ meals, kids camp and valet parking; complimentary daily benefits include unlimited tennis and fitness classes. Guests have access to the resort’s two golf courses (a shuttle is provided to the Rees Jones Course at Breakers West), as well as nine restaurants and the bungalows and cabanas around the pool and beach club. Overnight parking is complimentary Sunday-Wednesday; $20 per night Thursday-Saturday.

Hot tips: The cabana and bungalows around the pool and beach club are great for parents with kids who might need a nap because the adults don’t have to return to their rooms during peak tanning period.

Local attraction: “We always target the local market in the summer time” says David Burke, vice president of sales and marketing. 

“We sell out on the weekends and try to drive business Sunday through Thursday with kids camp and things like that. In the summer time families have a little bit more flexibility with their schedules so they can come midweek.” 

                                                   During the summer months, treatments at Spa Palazzo are 25 percent off.

Boca Raton Resort & Club

 900 S Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton,  447-3000

Addison Mizner’s masterpiece has been a prime destination address for more than 80 years.  The resort’s Uniquely Boca package is  $199 per night (through Oct. 1) and includes valet parking, breakfast for two, 20 percent off greens fees at the two golf courses, 25 percent off treatments at Spa Palazzo, 25 percent off tennis court time and 25 percent off Camp Boca for kids 3-12.

For those who want to stay on the beach, the Boca Beach Club is a short shuttle ride away from the main resort and features beachfront guest rooms, three pools and private cabanas.

Want luxury plus? Try the resort’s One Thousand Ocean Beach Villas & Residences, a seven-story building that is a mixture of 52 beach villas, residences and penthouse options.

Hot tip: The Boca Raton Resort & Club has some of the top restaurants in South Florida — available only to resort guests and club members, which is reason enough to visit.

Among the more popular is Morimoto’s Sushi Bar, directed by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. The real treat, however, is Serendipity, the candy and snack shop inspired by the popular Serendipity 3 in New York City. Try the frozen hot chocolate.

Rooms at the Seagate offer a zen-like feel, with soothing neutral color pallettes. All photos provided

Four Seasons Palm Beach

2800 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, 

582-2800

As part of parent Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts 50th anniversary, the beachfront resort is offering 50 rooms for $50 when guests stay at least one additional night at the prevailing summer rate of $465-$665 per night. The offer is based on availability and good through September. Reservations must be made by calling the resort directly.

The Four Seasons recently completed a two-year, multimillion-dollar improvement project that included a complete room redesign and the addition of a luxury salon and spa. To help highlight the rooms’ renovation, the resort has partnered with clothier Tory Burch for a gift of up to $500. The Restyle Package (through July 31) includes accommodations in the new guest rooms; a $500 Tory Burch gift card for suites or a $100 Tory Burch promotion card for other room categories; $150 daily spa credit; and complimentary breakfast. A minimum two-night stay is required.

Hot tip: The Four Seasons’ Atlantic Bar and Grill is a terrific oceanfront patio restaurant known for its tropical drinks. The Atlantic Bar and Grill hosts the only happy hour on the beach (beginning at 4:30 p.m.). Don’t pass on the conch chowder and the wagyu beef sliders.

Local attraction: “We do great business from Florida residents in the summer time. Why would anyone go away? You have the beach right there. The local market always has been very important for us. It’s a natural fit. Our Florida-residents rate is probably one of our best-kept secrets,” said Alan Reichbart, director of marketing. 

                                                        The Delray Beach Marriott offers a tie-in with Boston’s on the Beach. 

Delray Beach Marriott

10 N. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach,
274-3200

The Marriott is across the street from the beach and on the eastern edge of trendy Atlantic Avenue. The hotel’s Red, White and Blues Festival package celebrates Independence Day with Boston’s on the Beach, the popular nearby restaurant. Prices begin at $179 per night (July 1-4) and include overnight accommodations; two tickets per night to the Red White and Blues festival held at Boston’s on the Beach; and a 15 percent discount off the food and beverage check at Boston’s on the Beach (during the time of event only). Outside of the festival dates, Florida-resident rates (through Nov. 30) begin at $127 per night.

Hot tip: Atlantic Avenue, with its mix of bars and restaurants, is particularly pleasant on a warm summer evening, as “The Avenue” is far less crowded than in the high season. Make sure to watch for happy hour specials.

Local attraction: “The summer time always has been the drive market, especially for us on the weekends. The gas prices will hurt or hinder, based on the distances people have to drive. We might get more people from Palm Beach County than maybe Orlando or Tampa or Naples,” said Jim Graham, director of sales and marketing. 

The Ritz-Carlton has a spa package that’s good through Sept. 15.

Michelle Bernstein’s restaurant overlooks
the ocean from the second floor of The Omphoy.

The Omphoy Ocean Resort

2842 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, 540-6440

The Omphoy Ocean Resort blends Palm Beach elegance and South Beach chic. Opened in 2009, the Omphoy has quickly become one of the top boutique hotels in South Florida. The Omphoy is offering a “Come for Dinner, Stay for Breakfast” package as well as a Florida-resident package that includes 20 percent off the standard rate plus continental breakfast for two. Their third night free package is $289 per night.

Hot tip: If the beachfront location weren’t enough, there’s Michelle Bernstein’s restaurant that overlooks the beach from the second floor of the Omphoy. The restaurant is open to locals and guests and is a great dining experience. Try the braised short ribs.

Local attraction: “Our traffic for the summer has to come from the state and it has to come from Georgia and South Carolina. We have guests now driving down from North Carolina,” said general manager Deborah Carr.

The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach

100 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, 533-6000

The resort’s premier summer package is aptly named “Beauty and the Beach,” as it defines The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach. Valid through Sept. 15 and beginning at $379 per night, the package includes overnight accommodations in a guest room with a private balcony and a $200 credit per night to be used for treatments at Eau Spa by Cornelia. At 42,000 square feet, Eau Spa by Cornelia is one of the largest and most opulent spas in the Southeast, from its Self-Centered Garden to the rubber ducks in the men’s and women’s pools.

Hot tip: Don’t forget the kids. The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach has a terrific program for kids ages 5-12 called AquaNuts that features a dedicated playroom, computers, music and costumes. Programs change weekly and are offered in half-day and full-day options.

Local attraction: “Local travelers make up a large portion of our leisure travelers. As the rates become more favorable in the summer, we attract many guests as ‘stay-cation’ visitors.  It is a great opportunity for locals to experience the resort and all the amenities we offer,” said director of travel industry sales Tim Luksa. 

Rooms at the Seagate offer a zen-like feel,
with soothing neutral color pallettes. All photos provided

The Seagate Hotel & Spa

1000 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 
665-4800

Delray Beach’s newest hotel is helping celebrate the city’s 100th anniversary with its Sweet Summer Savings package (through Sept. 30) that begins at $159 per night. The package, which includes pineapple-inspired spa treatments, food and cocktails, is a nod to the tropical fruit’s local historical significance. When Delray Beach was incorporated as a town, pineapples were the area’s primary crop. The Seagate’s Carefree stay package (through Dec. 22) begins at $199 per night and includes a three-course dinner in Atlantic Grille; breakfast in Etc. Café; and complimentary parking.

Hot tip: Want pampering? Try the spa’s Pineapple Plantation Mani/Pedi (80 minutes for $100). Your hands and feet are treated with a pineapple-infused mineral salt bath, pineapple enzyme exfoliation, Florida honey and pineapple mask and warm stone massage. Perhaps best of all, a complimentary piña colada also is provided.

Local attraction: “The locals are such a huge force in helping spread the word. When they have family coming from out of town to visit, they’re recommending the hotel. We certainly look to South Florida as being our primary market for visitors this summer.  So many of our guests are local, coming from places like Fort Lauderdale and Jupiter. They feel like they can get away and have gone hundreds of miles when they’re only 20 minutes from home,” said Kate Connor, director of sales and marketing.