There are many things to tick off when planning an excellent get-away the whole family is into. No one wants to sacrifice on well-earned desires. Deep relaxation, stunning beauty, luxury and pampering for you. Fun in the sun for the kids, plus ice cream at the ready. This is something Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa understands fully, and delivers on perfectly.  

The resort, situated on the south Florida coastline known as the Gold Coast, and technically in Manalapan, a quiet, upscale community a stone’s throw from Palm Beach, embodies wellbeing in all manner: Guests have access to several swimming options, including family-friendly and adults-only pools and seven acres of beach for ocean dips, a well-equipped gym that offers a variety of classes, plus several outdoor areas to settle in and reap the soul-soothing benefits of the sun and sea.  

The hotel itself hints at the Mediterranean in its architecture and takes full advantage of its scenic surroundings, thoughtfully laid out so that the blue-green waters are never out of sight. Enter the grand lobby and immediately your gaze is directed to the endless horizon. Interior designer Jonathan Adler revamped the aesthetics when the resort transitioned from a Ritz-Carlton property in 2013. His approach to the rooms was part classic Palm Beach, part Capri and Santorini, and materialized in the most upbeat mix of crisp white linens, metallic wallpapers, vintage photographs, and light-hearted details like embroidered "Palm Beach" pillows. Each guest room, from the generously sized standard rooms to the opulent Lanai Terrace Suites, features private balconies or decks with views of the ocean, pools, or gardens. The design is luxe, but comfy and doesn’t feel one bit precious or untouchable.

Which, if you’re traveling with a family, is key. The resort is a playground for all ages, with a ton to keep young guests thoroughly entertained, and thus freeing any parent to live vacation life to the fullest (AKA, visit the Eau Spa—more on that). There’s not only a super-dynamic children's club for the little ones, but a separate teen area with a 24-hour arcade is available too. 

In keeping, the dining options cater to a whole slew of tastes. The outdoor restaurant, Breeze Ocean Kitchen, is where you want to be during the day for beachy dishes next to the salty sea. Here, you could convince yourself you’re sitting on the Riviera. There’s also the fancy restaurant, Angle, for special nights, Polpo Palm Beach for Italian food, thoughtful omakase at Bōken, and, yes, scoops of chocolate and fun flavors at Melt ice cream parlor. 

The Eau Spa, 42,000-square-feet devoted to relaxation and pampering, is a destination in itself. There are steam rooms, saunas, large soaking pools, and a secret garden where guests can sip champaign among the pretty flora and calming fountains. The treatment menu is vast and sophisticated, with standouts like The Royal Recovery, a heavenly foot scrub, head, back, and foot massage, plus shea butter wrap; and Sea EAU-Listic, a full-body polish and Thai massage that hits pressure points to send you into tension-free bliss. An array of facials utilizes their highly-curated, top-notch skincare lineup that includes Yon-Ka, Valmont, and l'Elixir Des Glaciers. And if you crave something a bit more personal, you can hit the DIY Scrub and Polish Bar to create your own unique body blend.