Vibrant yellow-and-white beach umbrellas set against an azure sky, with crystal-clear waves rolling across soft white sandy beaches: It’s a setting that immediately alleviates stress and brings peace to the soul. If you’re looking for a pampering getaway, look no further than Forbes Five-Star Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa. With impeccable service and the ultimate luxury spa, this beach resort should be on your Florida-stay bucket list.
Located in the small seaside town of Manalapan just south of Palm Beach, overlooking south Florida’s turquoise waters, the sprawling, Mediterranean-style waterfront escape offers two outdoor pools, tennis courts, and four exceptional restaurants, all set on seven acres of lush tropical grounds.
Upon check-in, guests are greeted with a glass of bubbly before heading to their spacious and colorful accommodations designed by Jonathan Adler, featuring soaking tubs, luxurious bedding, and private balconies with hanging chairs to enjoy ocean views.
But amazingly enough, the luxury accommodations and the ocean views are not the main attraction for many guests. The resort boasts a 42,000-square-foot spa—a playground for adults—where all the senses are pampered and indulged. Spend any amount of time in this soothing Shangri-La and you’ll want to book your next trip.
Start your visit by lounging in the co-ed Self Centered Garden, a courtyard at the heart of the spa. The garden has several soothing water features including fountains and waterfalls and is lined with bromeliads and palms. White canvas tents shade lounge chairs, plush couches, and daybeds. Rattan swing chairs float over a shallow reflecting pool—the perfect place to rock your cares away.
Separate lounges for men and women are located inside the spa, and just as the garden offers a relaxing setting, the interiors don’t disappoint. The oversized whirlpool in the women’s side is surrounded by heated stone loungers. This wet spa also houses the sauna and steam room. Guests can create their own body scrub at the Polish Bar before hitting the steam.
Nineteen therapeutic treatment rooms offer the ultimate “me time” experience. Among the treatments on offer are the One Love Facial, which treats the skin with Alpha Beta peels, vitamin C mask, and collagen-stimulating LED light, and the Eau Naturale Facial, an organic anti-aging facial that turns back the clock with botanicals. The Garden of Eden massage for two, and the Turkish Rhassoul Mud Ritual to soften and exfoliate skin, while sipping Champagne prove there is something for just about everyone on the spa menu.
After a morning at the spa, have an umbrella set up on the beach in front of the hotel, where you can rent SUPs, snorkel gear, and body boards for an afternoon frolicking in the sun and surf.
For dining, the resort offers incredible gastronomic delights. Whether you are in the mood for classic American surf and turf, sushi featuring Florida’s freshest catch, or upscale Italian cuisine, the resort has something for everyone’s palate. Angle offers a farm-to-table experience focused on regionally grown produce and prime meats and fish paired with wine from its award-winning selection. Boken shows off the creativity of head sushi chef Chris Cantrel.
For the ultimate experience, dine at chef Cantrel’s table for an Omakase meal, a one-of-a-kind tour of authentic Japanese cuisine. Or take your taste buds to southern Italy at Polpo Palm Beach. Upscale fare inspired by regional dishes with an Italian-influenced wine list is presented by Eau Palm Beach’s executive chef Neall Bailey. Choose to dine inside or out—I chose to dine outside to hear the waves lapping at the shore and see the stars coming out in the evening.
Truly a playground paradise, this stellar spa and resort experience is not to be missed.