Destination: Palm Beach County, FL

By Erik Hastings

In March of 2008, I traveled to Palm Beach County, Florida to find out what all the fuss was about. It turns out the reason so many people call Palm Beach a second home is because the place is beautiful.

On my trip, I stayed at the Boca Raton Resort. They have two golf courses, a world class spa and plenty of places to just relax. Be sure to have breakfast in their “cathedral room” it is architecturally breathtaking and the food will knock your socks off. Also on property is Old Homestead Steakhouse. Wow! Fresh seafood to good old red meat, Old Homestead has earned a reputation for being one of the best restaurants in America.

For an afternoon (and well into the evening), I had a personalized guided walking tour of the legendary Breakers Hotel. When you visit, it will knock your socks off. The Breakers has all the amenities you would expect from a high end property, but it also was surprisingly casual. They just built these awesome cabanas you can rent while relaxing at the beach or by the pool. Once again, I was treated to a mouth watering dinner on property at The Flagler Steakhouse and the experience was a taste bud sensation. If you have never been to The Breakers, be sure to stay for a few days or at least an afternoon.

Speaking of food, we also dropped in for a quick tour of the Ritz Carlton (in Boca Raton) and had dinner at their newest restaurant called Angle. As you know The Ritz Carlton brand is synonymous with luxury and this visit exceed my expectations.

Palm Beach County definitely will keep you very busy on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Be it yachting, deep sea fishing, sailing, snorkeling, or just taking in the Florida sunshine, bring sunscreen and some lip therapy. I highly recommend getting out on the water and letting the waves wash your worries away. I know it’s a little corny, but Palm Beach caters to accommodating your every need. From high end shopping and memorable dining to some of the most luxurious pampering you’ll ever experience. However, the winter season is the busiest and the most expensive. If you don’t have a private jet and thousands of dollars to donate at charity balls and galas, then visit this part of the country in the summer. You’ll find most of the hotels have summer deals and packages for both Florida and non-Florida residents.

I was pleasantly surprised by the approachable feel of this county. The perception I had was that I was exclusively for the rich and famous (of which I am neither). What I found was an entire region that understands tourism and takes care of its visitors with ease, style and panache. Enjoy your trip to Palm Beach County.