Photos by michael stavaridis
Life is hard. Between work, kids, bills and that unrelenting traffic, it’s time to treat yourself to a well-deserved break. Cue in Yacht Club, the luxurious adults-only hotel within the iconic resort, The Boca Raton. One of five properties (Beach Club, Bungalows, Cloister and Tower being the other four), The Boca Raton recently reopened after completing a $200 million renovation, keeping intact the property’s classic look and incorporating a modern spin.
Originally opened in 1926 as The Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn, the Spanish-Mediterranean, Moorish and Gothic influence were the vision of famed architect Addison Mizner, whose style was heavily influenced by time spent in Central America during his childhood. With hidden gardens, archways and fountains throughout, The Boca Raton aspires to welcome, what it calls, “A New Golden Era.” While the resort is a private club, all the amenities are open to hotel guests, so a stay at the exquisite Yacht Club means you are privy to a host of activities, luxuries and restaurants.
A sense of much-needed serenity sets in during check-in as you are handed a glass of sparkling wine and assigned a private butler to attend to your every need and whim. The lakeside, all-suite luxury hotel features 112 suites with private balconies overlooking Lake Boca Raton or the Atlantic Ocean. Children under 16 are not allowed, but dogs (up to 35 pounds) are, so feel free to bring Fido along.
This stay is all about pampering yourself and what better way to begin than with a visit to the Spa Palmera, the 50,000 square-foot wellness oasis featuring 44 treatment rooms? Inspired by the glorious Alhambra Palace in Spain, you’ll find stunning mosaics, grand arches and a verdant courtyard with manicured gardens within. With multiple facial, massage, bath ritual and body treatment options — along with a signature package collection — choosing which indulgence you want may be the most difficult part of your stay.
For outdoor fun, head to Harborside Pool Club to explore the three pools, 450-foot floating river and water slides. Of course, lounging in the luxury cabanas while sipping a cocktail is an equally tempting alternative. Golf enthusiasts will want to schedule tee time at the immaculate
18-hole course deemed an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for its commitment to protect and preserve the fauna and flora within. If your tempo is more fast-paced, you’ll be happiest at the Racquet Club (16 tennis courts and 4 pickleball courts) or one of two top-of-the-line Fitness Clubs. Or head to the water on paddle board, kayak or boat, all of which are available for rental.
There are plenty of luxury retail shops to explore as well as a half-mile long private beach to soak in the sun.
MB Supper Club
When it comes to dining, options abound. Flybridge, nestled atop the Yacht Club, is an intimate space boasting spectacular views of Lake Boca Raton, the ocean and beyond. Enjoy brunch at Sadelle’s (an outpost of the original New York location) featuring favorites like crispy latkes, smoked Scottish salmon platter and soft scrambled eggs. Serving lunch and dinner as well, we suggest you opt for the lovely conservatory room where you’ll enjoy your meal overlooking the placid lake. For a classy evening, head to MB Supper Club to enjoy a prix fixe menu highlighting classic, continental cuisine. Beautiful décor blends plush velvet chairs with crimson wallpaper donning playful monkeys along with lifelike monkey light fixtures throughout (a nod to Mizner’s affection for primates, of which he was known to have a few as pets). Expertly prepared dishes include Oysters Rockefeller, Filet of Beef à la Wellington and Lobster Newburg. End the meal with Baked Alaska (finished tableside) or a decadent Valrhona Dark Chocolate Soufflé.
Embracing the resort’s overall theme of reviving South Florida’s golden age is the midcentury American steakhouse, The Flamingo Grill. Dishes like Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Steak Tartare and Filet Mignon are served by waiters dressed in pink dinner jackets perfectly complementing the vibrant, tropical setting with pink and green hues throughout — including stunning pink doors at the entrance. There’s a comfortable patio overlooking the golf course serving as an ideal setting for sharing the Steak For Two or The Famous Prime Rib. Be sure to add sides like Creamed Brussels Sprouts, Thick Cut Onion Rings and Whipped Potatoes.
After any one of these meals, a retreat back to the embracing comfort of your luxurious suite is heavenly. Each come with a fully furnished private terrace, complimentary mini bar stocked with locally distilled rum and other treats and a plush, indulgent bed that is so comfortable you will find it a challenge to ever get up.
A stay at The Boca Raton Yacht Club is not only a time to recharge surrounded by a beautiful setting, endless array of amenities, stellar food and extraordinary service. It’s a chance to step out of your hectic life and into a peaceful, sumptuous and carefully curated experience — something you’ll be enjoying the benefits of long after you’ve left.
The Yacht Club is located in The Boca Raton at 501 East Camino Real, Boca Raton. For more information, call 561-447-3000 or visit thebocaraton.com.
