9 Fabulous Relaxed Luxury Resorts in Florida

Most luxury resorts in Florida offer an enviable relaxed vibe that puts guests immediately in a Fins Up mood. Florida is one of the few places where you can wear shorts and flip flops to resort restaurants. I know, because I did—and I do! Please, though, no wet swimsuits in the restaurants.

This list of relaxed luxury resorts in Florida is organized from north to south, as you might encounter them on Sunshine State road trips. I also included at least one special feature (a McCool Travel tip) for each property. And if you visit these fun relaxed luxury Florida resorts after Thanksgiving, their tropical holiday decorations are amazing.

While I personally visited these Florida luxury resorts, I realize there are dozens of others.

Fabulous Relaxed Luxury Resorts in Florida

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

All rooms at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island have their own balcony—great for relaxing to ocean sounds and scents. The property has four restaurants, including SALT, one of only two AAA 5 diamond restaurants in the entire state of Florida.

Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island room view
luxury Florida hotel: Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island
McCool Travel tip: If dining at SALT is not exclusive enough for you, book the Heaven in a Hammock spa treatment. It was created at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island and is offered nowhere else in the world.
Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island spa room
Florida luxury resorts: The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, couples spa room

For more Amelia Island information, please read Things to Do in Amelia Island.

Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort

Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is a massive 1,300 acre property, with tons of space to explore and play. All of their rooms face the Atlantic Ocean. Nine dining venues, all under the direction of Omni Executive Chef Daven Wardynski, offer a variety of culinary experiences.

Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort view
Florida luxury hotel: Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort
McCool Travel tip: try the honey made on the property—collected from more than 1 million bees—and especially sample the spectacular honey bourbon. A cool unique experience is the monthly dinner in The Sprouting Project (reservations required).
local honey at Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort
luxury Florida resorts: Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort

Also see our article about US Resorts With Water Activities.

Epicurean Hotel, Tampa

Epicurean Hotel in Tampa, Florida is inspired by Bern Laxer, founder of Bern’s Steakhouse. Bern’s Steakhouse is located across the street from Epicurean Hotel and houses one of the world’s largest wine collections (over a half million bottles).

The Epicurean Hotel is the only hotel I have been to with its own Cooking Theater—featuring culinary demonstrations, seminars, and competitions. We love spending a pleasant evening sipping craft cocktails at the rooftop bar.

See our Epicurean Hotel review and click here for best Epicurean Hotel rates.

EDGE Rooftop Bar at Epicurean Hotel Tampa
EDGE Rooftop Bar at Epicurean Hotel in Tampa Florida.
McCool Travel tip: try the Bourbon on the Rocks foot treatment (my first pedicure!) at the onsite Spa Evangeline. Fortunately, you pass Chocolate Pi on the way back to the hotel lobby so you can indulge in more treats.

South Seas Resort on Captiva

Occupying 330 acres of nature preserve with 2.5 miles of private beach, South Seas Resort is a tranquil but also adventurous (your choice!) waterfront resort on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Make sure you rent a golf cart to explore all of the hidden gems and secret paths. See our South Seas Resort review and click here for best South Seas Resort rates.

South Seas Island Resort balcony view of lagoon
South Seas Resort balcony view
McCool Travel tip: catch a Captiva Cruises excursion to Cabbage Key and visit the alleged inspiration for Jimmy Buffet’s Cheeseburger in Paradise. While there definitely try the Cabbage Key restaurant Key Lime Pie, made from the original recipe!

For more information on the area, please read Things to Do in Fort Myers Beach.

Inn on Fifth, Naples

Inn on Fifth is an esteemed Forbes Travel Guide 4-star rated hotel and the only luxury hotel located in the heart of downtown Naples. It is within walking distance of the beach, fantastic shops and amazing restaurants, and Tin City. For an enhanced experience, stay across the street at the Inn on Fifth Club Level Suites, with a private rooftop deck (with pool and hot tub) and dedicated concierge lounge (great snacks and drinks).

McCool Travel tip: an underutilized amenity is their shuttle service within 2 miles. Options include an upscale golf cart, an Escalade, and a Tesla (for Club Level guests).
Tesla shuttle at Inn on 5th Naples
Florida luxury hotel: Inn on Fifth in Naples Florida: Tesla shuttle

For more Naples information, please see our favorite places to eat in Naples Florida.

Boca Resort, Boca Raton

Boca Resort is not one but two magnificent relaxed luxury resorts in Florida.

The Main Resort includes the Tower, Yacht Club, Bungalows, and The Cloister—the original classic resort from the 1920s but completely modernized and refurbished. Both resorts have a variety of activities and dining options.

Choose the Beach Club, where rooms have massive ceiling to floor windows to tempt you to get outside.

classic pink Florida resort The Boca
Florida luxury hotel: Boca Resort

Choose the Beach Club, where rooms have massive ceiling to floor windows to tempt you to get outside.

Atlantic Ocean view from Boca Resort Beach Club
luxury Florida resort: Beach Club, Boca Resort
McCool Travel tip: reserve a window table for dinner at The Blue on the 27th floor of The Tower—or at least have drinks or snacks in the magnificent panoramic setting.
27th floor view from The Boca Resort
Luxury Resorts in Florida: The Blue restaurant. Photo courtesy of Waldorf Astoria

>>> See the McCool Travel article: Boca Resort Relaxed Luxury Features

Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort

Margaritaville Resort Hollywood Beach is a perfect example of relaxed luxury resort in Florida. You can put your toes in the sand in several places, chill in the spa, and eat very well. You bet I wore flip flops to their fine dining restaurant (JWB) and I definitely was not the only one! Guest rooms have comfortable bed and pillows, elegant but comfortable wood decor, and two adirondack chairs on the balcony.

Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort bedroom
luxury Florida resorts: Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort
McCool Travel tip: ride a funky beach cruiser bicycle with an epic parrot horn for an hour each day.
fun bicycle at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort
Luxury Resorts in Florida: Margaritaville Beach Resort: cool beach bicycle

>>> See our Margarita Hollywood Beach Resort review

The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove

With its Old World design and elegant marble and decor, the lobby of the The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove instantly transports your mind to Europe’s finest luxury hotels. Here, though, is a great location to stay when you sail from Dinner Key marina, visit the University of Miami, or attend the world famous Coconut Grove Art Festival. Treat yourself by relaxing in the salt water pool.

elegant lobby of Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove lobby. Photo credit: FuninFairfaxVA.com
McCool Travel tip: ask the front desk for information about the self-guided art tour. The property houses over $1 million of art.

The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne

Close to Miami yet a world away is The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne. The property has a large tennis center, extensive fitness center, amazing spa, but also a spacious, clean beach and two pool areas to relax.

Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne pool
luxury Florida hotel: Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne
McCool Travel tip: Have dinner at Cantina Beach and ask the only Tequilier in the United States to help you select from over 100 tequilas, including one blended specifically for this restaurant. Cantina Beach also hosts free tequila tasting sessions every day at 6pm.

For South Florida road trips, please read South Florida scenic drives and Best Miami Scenic Drives. See also Romantic US hotels.

Our favorite relaxed luxury resort in the Florida Keys is Casa Morada in Islamorada.

Do you have favorite relaxed luxury resorts in Florida that are not yet included on this list? Let me know and I hope to visit them and might include them in an article update.

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Most Relaxed Luxury Resorts in Florida are located along the beach so you can almost roll out of bed and onto the sand. Wear your flip flops to fine dining.

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23 thoughts on “9 Fabulous Relaxed Luxury Resorts in Florida”

  1. Pingback: Favorite Winter Getaways from Northern Virginia by Plane, Train, and Auto
  2. Terrific list Charles. We loved the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando their Bull & Bear Restaurant is outstanding! I’d love to check out Epicurean Hotel in Tampa.

  3. Any hotel that makes its own honey is cool in my book! These are all stunning properties… I wouldn’t even know what to choose! Thanks for putting these on my radar, I’ll bookmark this for the future. Happy travels 🙂

  4. I currently live in Florida and can definitely say that you picked some fabulous properties! I’m hoping to visit Amelia Island soon so I’ll definitely check out that Omni Resort. Thanks for sharing and happy travels 🙂

  5. I’d love to take the art tour at the Ritz Coconut Grove! How fun to combine that with a luxury stay! Great list… Wish I could visit them all…

  6. I love this! Florida is a favorite state of mine and you showcased some nice properties and all they have to offer. I enjoyed following your social media posts of these properties, as well. Thanks for a nice round up of these beautiful Florida properties.

  7. You’ve personally visited all these resorts? Living the dream! Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort looks like an amazing property, I also really like the style of the Margaritaville Resort Hollywood Beach – one day!

  8. I love Florida and go frequently since I can drive to most of the areas. I’ve never stayed at the Margaritaville hotel — that’s going on the bucket list!

  9. All these places look amazing. We would be happy to stay at any of these places. They all have facilities that would keep our kids occupied which is great.

  10. I feel as if I need to feel pampered at any one of these luxury resorts right now! Better yet, a few days at each so I could pick my personal favourite!

  11. The Heaven in a Hammock spa treatment sounds very tempting. Time I visited Ritz Carlton Amelia Island!

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