Enlarge Photo

Related Galleries

• Best Places to Live in Florida
• Romantic Weekend Getaways

PICK OF THE NORTHEAST

Best For » Those seeking old school luxury and service Quiet, palm-lined Ponte Vedra Boulevard meanders by pastel-colored beachfront mansions
and crisp green golf courses. Between the homes, a glimpse of the blue Atlantic teases before you arrive at the historic Ponte Vedra Inn
& Club. A three-tiered fountain marks the entrance to the resort. White buildings capped with terra cotta roofs are surrounded by meticulous lawns — not even a blade of grass is out of place. Eager-to- please bellhops whisk you inside, where the unfold- ing scene is of century-old oak floors, towering wood-beam ceilings, overstuffed sofas and enor- mous fireplaces. Northeast Florida’s grand dame of luxury resorts since 1928, the property mixes the formal aesthetic of early American glamour with the quaint, laid-back culture of Ponte Vedra, its own seaside village.

Rooms » The inn has undergone many renovations through the decades, always staying true to the traditional style embedded in its 250 rooms and 300 acres of lush grounds. Using only local designers the decor’s tone is all in the details — four-poster beds, plush floral fabrics draping the windows and old-world mosaic tiles in oversize bathrooms. To raise the bar even higher on comfort, indulge your- self with the complimentary pillow menu; choose from a half-dozen pillow styles, including a duck- feather body pillow, an all-natural buckwheat pillow and a medi-flow water pillow. For a more classic resort experience, stay in the main inn where hidden courtyards with gas fireplaces and inlaid-stone fountains pop up here and there. The oceanfront guesthouses are designed for easy beach access —
as sliding doors open to private decks mere steps from the soft dunes blanketed with greenery and a wide expanse of shoreline.

Club Life » The most memorable part of a stay here is undoubtedly the beach experience. The Surf Club has 4 beachside pools, starting with a zero-entry family pool, where a corkscrew slide entertains kiddies to an adults-only hot tub conveniently located next to the High Tides barefoot and bikini bar. Paying homage to its country-club roots, there are endless recreational pursuits, from tennis matches to rounds of golf and yoga classes in an impressive gym with a wide-angle oceanfront view. Deep-sea fishing trips can be arranged, as well as horseback rides on the beach.

Dining » A skillful blend of old-school luxury and oceanfront charm is found in the fabled Seafoam Dining Room where an elegant, jacket-required ambience thrives. (The dot-com crowd may be quite hard to find in this sea of sartorially correct ladies and gentlemen who feast on lobster tail with crab soufflé.) In contrast, the Seahorse Grille welcomes the more casual Tommy Bahama-style guest with a new American fusion menu and a 24-foot saltwater aquarium and floor-to-ceiling picture windows for watching the wave action. Chunks of grouper, scallops and shrimp afloat in a thick tomato base with a hint of heat make the Florida seafood chowder a must.

Spa Time » For a halcyon afternoon, while away the hours in the spa’s private swimming pool, com- plete with 6 bubble grottos — pool corners with Jacuzzi jets from stand-up foot massagers to lie-down back ticklers and even a neck-massage waterfall. Young blond staff members, who look as if they’ve stepped out of a health magazine, serve fresh salads to poolside guests and those congregating in the plush gathering room cocooned with bamboo, waterfalls and sand-toned draperies.

Tee Off » Two picture-perfect 18-hole courses, aptly named Ocean and Lagoon, combine with sea breezes to create every kind of shot imaginable. All 14 clubs are required to tackle the dazzling array of water hazards, steep-faced bunkers, undulating fairways as well as elevated Bermuda greens. End the day at the Golf Club Restaurant with a well-deserved buffet and views of the lagoon and famous “Island Ninth” hole.