The Eau Palm Beach has been recognized as one of the top 50 resorts in North America. As a luxury hotel, it is a breath of fresh air: A place to indulge and a place to exhale. Just what the doctor ordered in these crazy times we live in!
By Anne & Les Heintz
Editors Note:
Booking Eau Palm Beach through TravelAnne gives you additional value including complimentary daily breakfast for 2 per room, $100 resort credit, upgrade, early check-in, late check-out if available.
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The Eau Palm Beach is the kind of resort that we cheer for. It is an independently owned and operated property about 15 minutes south of the heart of Palm Beach. It has a rich history, and as far as we can tell, a bright future.
Walking in the entrance, the welcome was very friendly. We felt a bit sorry for the valet stand as they seemed a bit understaffed. That said, we get it. We’re all living in strange times and many people are parking their own cars!
The lobby has a light and airy sophisticated Florida vibe. They did keep the signature Ritz Carlton chandeliers, and plan to do so in their next renovation a year or so down the road. To set you off on the right foot a glass of champagne or juice is offered at check-in. Plexiglass at front desks is now the modus operandi as well as hand sanitizing stations.
The rooms are designed by Jonathan Adler, and have an early 60’s Palm Beach feel. We assure you its all state of the art from pillow top mattresses, frette linens, updated television and electronics. Adler uses crisp white furniture. He ties shades of the ocean into the room with vibrant blues and turquoise. His accessory pieces from his collection are thoughtfully interspersed with some old-world artwork from the area.
Anne's favorite by far is the red convertible that appears to be driving in the water. One of the passengers looks like Jackie O replete with jaunty parasol in tow. Oh and his twin royal blue mirrors within a mirror in the bathroom is just over the top fun! The balconies sport an old school hanging wicker chair to top it off.
Eau Palm Beach sits on property that was originally a private club. In the early 90’s it was built as a Ritz Carlton. In 2013, the Ritz brand came down and it has been the Eau ever since.
Now to the food! There are three restaurant choices on property.
Angle is the more elegant restaurant. Men are asked to wear long pants rather that shorts. Angle describes itself as a modern restaurant that offers a farm to very elegant table experience. Angle was closed during our visit but from past experience we can say that the food is very good.
Temple Orange, the more casual restaurant with both indoor and outdoor service overlooking the ocean became our “go to.” The cuisine is Mediterranean, but they have plenty of other typical more American fare to please all palates. We loved ordering a few of their appetizers and paring it with one of their salads. Everything was really fresh and the service was excellent. A special shout out to their brioche French toast for breakfast!
Breeze Ocean Kitchen offers outdoor lunch and happy-hour fare pool and beachside.The food is good but is overshadowed by the wonderful view,
Many of the activities at the Eau center around the Atlantic Ocean as you would expect from a resort in Florida. Beach access is easy… just beyond the main pool. There are plenty of water sports either operated by the resort or through a third party. They also have private cabanas as well as fitness classes and yoga on the beach.
The Eau is one of two hotels in Palm Beach to holds both a 5-Star rating from Forbes and a Five Diamond rating from AAA. The other being The Four Seasons Palm Beach. That said, it seems that every resort in this community is compared to The Breakers. We recommend that you resist that temptation. They are very different properties offering different and unique experiences.
The best example of that is the Eau Spa, which has received a Forbes 5-Star of its own. In our opinion, it is not only the best spa on the island, it is also one of the best spa experiences just about anywhere!
From Anne: “For those who value a wonderful spa experience, The Eau Spa needs to be on your bucket list. In fact, it’s a bit addictive! I have had the privilege of enjoying a spa treatment in exotic places like Thailand, Bali, The Maldives, Hawaii to name a few. Honestly the entire experience at the Eau is unparalleled!”
The Eau Spa houses 42,000 square feet of space with private suites, outdoor gardens, huge outdoor relaxation area with wading pool, hanging chairs and plants that are chosen to attract butterflies. Public and private beauty salons, fitness center, steam, sauna and huge hot tub soaking area. There is even an opportunity to curate your own custom body scrubbing cocktail.
This place is IDEAL for girl’s weekend getaways. There are also plans in the works to expand to include a MedSpa component, which is brilliant!
One last indulgence regarding the Eau Spa is the chandelier made out of all types of clear glassware suspended from the ceiling in one of the quiet areas. Whoever designed it must have collected glassware from many a flea market. If you’re like Anne, this is right up your alley. “My family knows how obsessed I am with all types of glassware! Much to Les’ chagrin, ‘the more the merrier’ is my motto!”
Finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the staff at this property. They are great. From our experience, they go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable. They are welcoming, attentive and hard-working.
Overall, the Eau is a great option for singles, couples or families. There is an extensive childrens’ and teen club too. You are removed from the town of Palm Beach but still have close access if you want to shop or dine around.
Anne and Les Heintz are Co-founders of TravelAnne.com. Anne is a Travel Advisor. Les is a television & media producer. They are based in Washington, DC and have been traveling the world since they met in high school more years ago than they care to admit. They can be reached at info@TravelAnne.com.
