As The Boca Raton marks its 100th anniversary, Julia Pasarón visits the iconic Florida landmark to see how US-style opulence, sun-soaked indulgence and thoughtful reinvention continue to define one of the country’s most enduring resorts.
The Boca Raton is unapologetically American. Scale, ambition, generosity: nothing here is done by halves. Originally the Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn, it was designed by Addison Mizner as part of a master plan to turn Boca Raton into a fashionable resort town. Over time, it has grown into a vast estate of five distinct properties spread across nearly 350 acres, 200 of them waterfront. At its heart remains the Cloister, the historic core, alongside the Beach Club, Tower, Yacht Club and the more secluded Bungalows set within the golf course.
For all its size, the resort is remarkably easy to navigate. Shuttle buses and boats run throughout the day, and for anything beyond, the concierge will arrange a car. It is the sort of place where logistics are handled before you think to ask.
The lobby at the Beach Club is flooded with light. A terrace bar offers drinks and nibbles all day with imposing views of the ocean.
Arrival, following a smooth transfer from Miami International Airport, feels cinematic. The Beach Club opens onto the Atlantic, all light and horizon, with the ocean pressing up against floor-to-ceiling windows. Our Ocean Front room is generous without excess, with thoughtful details that make a difference: a clothes steamer for the Florida humidity, a bag for wet swimwear, and enough tea and coffee to steady even the most jet-lagged mind. Outside, the rhythm of the sea sets the tone.
Mornings begin at Marisol, the Beach Club’s restaurant, where breakfast is taken on a sunlit terrace overlooking the pool. Choosing what to eat becomes a test of restraint. Everything sounds tempting, and usually is, so the proximity of the gym feels almost deliberate.
From here, a short water taxi glides across to Harborside, passing palms and moored boats. In the Palm Court, we meet Daniel Hostettler, president and chief executive officer of The Boca Raton, whose tenure has overseen the resort’s recent transformation. “A centennial is more than a birthday. It’s a reflection of impact,” he says. “We’re honouring the past while investing in new experiences and restoring what makes this place unique. A century in, we’re just getting started.”
Studio Suites at the Beach Club boast an ample terrace with views over the Cabana Club and the ocean.
Later, at the Racquet Club, pickleball reveals itself as equal parts sport and social ritual. Under the guidance of head coach Shari Franco, the session is lively and unexpectedly addictive. We leave with the firm intention of continuing back in London.
Evening draws us back to Marisol, now softened by low light and sea air. The menu, shaped by chef Johnny Spero and executive chef Gonzalo Rivera, balances Mediterranean ease with confident execution. A pistachio-crusted tuna with lemon couscous is bright and precise; spiny lobster spaghetti, with paprika and Calabrian chilli, carries just enough heat. Dessert, inevitably, is hard to resist.
If Marisol sets the tone, Flamingo Grill raises it. Overlooking the golf course and designed by Rockwell Group, this modern American chophouse nods to retro glamour without slipping into theatre. Oysters arrive pristine, steaks perfectly broiled, and even the waffle fries deserve a mention. Service is quietly assured. Our waiter, Whitney, guides us through the menu with ease, never overplaying his hand.
From the left: Flamingo Grill, overlooking the golf course (Harborside); Onda at the Beach Club, which offers dining inspired by iconic coastal destinations; and scallops crudo with leche de tigre at Marisol (also at the Beach Club).
Elsewhere, the resort’s dining offering continues to impress. The Japanese Bocce Club and Principessa Ristorante at Harborside each bring their own identity, while Onda at the Beach Club introduces a more relaxed, sand-side experience in collaboration with Puerto Rican chef José Santaella.
Between meals, the golf course offers its own form of theatre. The signature Island Green provides a dramatic finish, while the surrounding water hazards add both challenge and beauty. It is also an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, reflecting a commitment to environmental management and wildlife preservation.
Water, unsurprisingly, plays a central role in the wider experience. Surfing, paddleboarding, sailing and snorkelling are all available, along with boat rentals and curated excursions from the private marina. On land, the Harborside Pool Club caters to a more playful mood, with a lazy river, slides and a wave simulator.
For a change of pace, Spa Palmera offers something entirely different. Inspired by the Alhambra, its architecture draws on traditional Moroccan bathhouses, with intricate tilework, arches and a sense of quiet opulence. Outside, gardens provide space to slow down.
Left: The Boca Raton Gold Club features an 18-hole, par-71 championship course designed by Donald Ross.
Right: The Palmer spa, uniquely designed to mirror Spain’s Alhambra Palace, features 44 treatment rooms,
a private pool, and distinctive, ritual-based treatments, such as the Alhambra Body Ritual.
I opt for the Royal Bath Ritual, a hydrotherapy experience that unfolds in stages. It begins in a private soaking tub with hot water, Himalayan salt and milk bath powder, followed by exfoliation and a series of showers designed to stimulate circulation and ease tension. The final stage takes place in a shared hot tub, where conversation with other guests becomes part of the ritual. It is indulgent, certainly, but also deeply restorative.
As departure approaches, the scale of the resort begins to feel less vast and more personal. What stays with me is not just the setting or the facilities, but the people. From Colleen and Pano, who drive you around with patience and humour, to Cammie at concierge, whose ability to make the complicated feel simple borders on magic, service here is warm and instinctive. Even transfers are considered: Eric’s car comes stocked with water, chargers and Wi-Fi, anticipating needs before they are spoken.
It is with some reluctance that we leave. Later, at Miami airport, margarita in hand at the Art Deco-inspired British Airways lounge, I find myself already looking ahead, scanning the calendar for a return to this corner of South Florida.
For more information and bookings, visit thebocaraton.com
British Airways flies return from London Heathrow to Miami in World Traveller from £1,042 and Club World from £2,455, including taxes and carrier fees. Find out more at britishairways.com.
Author: Julia Pasarón
Thinking of a holiday in warmer latitudes? You may enjoy discovering Grenada’s Gastronomic Renaissance, Golfing in Mauritius with Beachcomber Tours, or the majestic Victoria Falls and Zambezi National Park.
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