Forever Classic

If you’re seeking some history and a slice of Old Florida in the Sunshine State, the First Coast – home to St. Augustine, the oldest city in the nation – is the place to be.

Likewise, if you’re looking for an Old Florida-style vacation spot with heritage, charm and an easygoing pace, you’ll find it there – at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in the picturesque seaside community of Ponte Vedra Beach.

The AAA Five Diamond property – part of Ponte Vedra Beach Resorts with its nearby sister property, The Lodge & Club – combines barefoot luxury with classic service. Since opening in 1928, it’s been a haven for affluent travelers and guests, many of whom return generation after generation for top-notch dining, tennis, golf and fun in the sun.

The Ponte Vedra Inn offers 262 guestrooms and suites across 300 seaside acres, housed in low-rise buildings reminiscent of beachside inns of yesteryear. While our spacious oceanfront room had modern appointments and a chic look, touches like flatware, dish soap, dish towels, a bar sink and a microwave made us feel right at home. If it’s raining or too hot to traverse the large property, a quick phone call summons a shuttle to whisk you away to your desired destination.

For us, that destination was the Beach Club, where members and guests gather to enjoy the beach and ocean, casual food and drink, watersports and two pools (one for adults and one for families, complete with waterslides). After enjoying a couple locally made beers from the Surf Deck Grille, we hopped on a pair of fat-tire bicycles and felt like kids again as we sped down the wide beach.

Next, the Spa at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club beckoned. The 30,000-square-foot facility is a sanctuary of wellness and relaxation, offering more than 100 services and treatments. After lounging in the spacious relaxation room, we enjoyed the Florida Ritual. The 90-minute treatment was pure pampering from beginning to end, including a full-body exfoliation with botanicals, organic oils and pure Florida honey; a scalp massage with warm Moroccan Oil; and a 50-minute full-body massage. The sweet scent of orange honey pleasantly permeated the air throughout the service.

For those seeking something a little more active, the Ponte Vedra Inn offers two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by celebrated golfers Herbert Bertram Strong, Joe Lee, Robert Trent Jones and Bobby Weed. Guests will find two practice areas, three putting greens, a driving range, a complete Pro Shop and a team of PGA golf pros at their service. 

Tennis is equally popular at the resort. In fact, Robb Report named the Ponte Vedra Inn the Best Tennis Resort in Florida. See for yourself at the Racquet Club, home to 15 Har-Tru tennis courts, private teaching courts, shaded courtside pavilions, a courtside patio, and lounge and locker room facilities. The club’s summer camp, considered one of the nation’s top adult camps, staffs USPTA and USPTR teaching professionals.

Dining isn’t an afterthought at the Ponte Vedra Inn. More than 10 restaurant options, ranging from grab-and-go to gourmet, are sprinkled across the property. Breakfast in The Inn Dining Room is a special treat, where you can glimpse touches of the original historic inn while indulging in classic dishes as well as creative takes on breakfast standbys. We especially enjoyed the cold-pressed juices, Ricotta Donut Holes and Ponte Vedra Avocado Toast.

For something a bit more formal, the property’s signature restaurant, The Seahorse Grille, never fails to impress. From its perch atop the Surf Club, it affords diners stunning ocean vistas as they sample local seafood, juicy steaks, farm-fresh salads and more. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, the Chef’s Table is an ideal choice, offering front-row seats to the kitchen– and a 10-course chef’s tasting menu – for four lucky diners.

Another lovely (and less formal) dinner option is The Sea View Grille, on the top floor of The Lodge & Club. It’s worth a quick ride in a resort shuttle just to enjoy the panoramic water views, live music, diverse menu and friendly service.

As if you needed more reasons to visit, we have a convincing one: The property is fully renovating its Ocean House building to give it a fresh, modern look. Slated to open next summer, the oceanfront accommodation will comprise 28 guest rooms and 13 suites just steps from all the appealing amenities that the Ponte Vedra Inn has to offer. O

The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is located at 200 Ponte Vedra Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, call 888-839-9145 or visit pontevedra.com.