The 100-Year-Old Hotel That’s Only Getting Younger

Hey (HAP)ers!

Here in NYC, it finally feels like we’ve escaped the depths of winter and that spring is peeking around the corner. That said, it’s still far too cold for my liking, so I’ve been reminiscing about this time last year—thank you, iPhone Memories—when I was sunning myself on the Florida coast. I spend a lot of time in the Miami area since my husband’s family lives there, but this was the first proper trip I’d taken to Boca Raton, just an hour’s drive north. Perhaps best known as Ariana Grande’s hometown, this beachfront city is also conveniently accessible from West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, yet nowhere near as touristy. If you’ve watched Palm Royale on Apple TV+, imagine a very similar vibe: wealthy residents parading around in flowy garments or tennis gear, and practically everyone owning a boat (sizes vary).

Speaking of boats, HAP founder Brandon Berkson and senior editor Britney Eschelman were both in the megayacht-filled harbor of Monaco last week attending the annual Forbes Travel Summit. This luxury-focused conference always involves plenty of crystal-balling about the future of the industry, and Brit has summarized the key takeaways from this year’s event below. Keep reading for her recap, more on my Boca break, and all the latest from our news editor Ruby Gregg!

— Dan Howarth, HAP Weekly Newsletter Editor

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The Fieldtrip vacation rental shown above is the Invisible House near Joshua Tree, a property that is part of Journey. Learn more about it here.

Reaching a centennial anniversary is no small feat for a hotel, and as it approached 100, no one could blame The Boca Raton for getting a little work done to stay fresh and glamorous. I visited to check out the resort’s Beach Club, it’s latest makeover, and discovered the entire property looking every bit the picture of youth and vitality.

First, a bit of background. This vast waterfront resort encompasses five hotels in one, each with its own character and tailored to a specific type of guest. The original 1926 building, the Cloister, features Moorish influences on the exterior and hints of Venetian Gothic inside, thanks to architect Addison Mizner and his fondness for Mediterranean Revival style. During a major renovation in 2022, Rockwell Group worked to preserve the historic character while modernizing the interiors. The Cloister is also home to Spa Palmera, modeled after Spain’s Alhambra Palace, where treatments include a bathing ritual that alternates between relaxing soaking tubs and pummeling car-wash-style hydrotherapy jets.

Also recently refreshed, the hard-to-miss pink Tower rises 27 stories above the resort and now features redesigned floor plans and sparkling new décor. The Yacht Club serves as the adults-only enclave, with suites overlooking the marina and Intracoastal Waterway, while the Bungalows are tucked into a quieter corner of the property and cater to longer stays. All the South Florida staples you’d expect—golf, tennis, pickleball, and boating—are available in abundance. There’s even a water park with a 450-foot lazy river and two water slides.

Now back to the Beach Club. Following its late-2024 makeover by Urban Robot Associates, it’s become the resort’s cooler (and hotter) younger sibling across the bay—and its Leading Hotels of the World membership backs that up. Billed as South Florida’s only private resort beach, the 210-key property feels appropriately coastal. Contemporary neutral décor, natural textures, pale millwork, and brass accents run throughout the bright and airy guest rooms and public spaces. The beach itself is expansive and immaculately maintained, while the oceanfront pools—one for families and the other adults-only—are surrounded by loungers shaded beneath vermilion-trimmed parasols. Then there’s the Vilebrequin Cabana Club, created in partnership with the luxury swimwear brand, offering private poolside cabanas and changing rooms.

The hotel’s Marisol restaurant, which spills onto the pool terrace, delivers a distinctly Mediterranean spirit in both its design and cuisine. Meanwhile, sand-side Onda invites a rotating guest chef each winter season. Beach Club guests also enjoy full access to The Boca Raton’s broader amenities, with a fleet of small boats ferrying visitors across the bay every few minutes. One highlight of my stay was an excursion in the Beach Club’s converted Fiat 500 boat, which guests can reserve for a chauffeured (or captained?) cruise along the waterways, peeking at waterfront mansions while sipping sparkling wine along the way.

For a late-winter or early-spring escape—whether it’s a family getaway, a couples’ retreat, or solo sunshine soak—The Boca Raton certainly has plenty of life in her, even for a centenarian.

I’m Ruby, HAP’s News Editor. Each week, I highlight the travel, hotel, and lifestyle stories catching our Editor-in-Chief Brandon Berkson’s eye—and what should catch yours too. Have an above-par piece of news? Pitch me at [email protected]

This spring, the Bolognese hills come alive at Palazzo di Varignana with a new “Springtime in Villa” offer that invites guests into the heart of the Italian countryside. The experience pairs private villa stays with a “Taste of the Land” package, featuring guided vineyard treks during bud break, olive oil masterclasses, and in-villa pasta-making sessions.

After a successful inaugural run in Las Vegas, the culinary world has set its sights on the Big Easy for the second edition of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants. The awards will culminate in a live ceremony on May 28, celebrating New Orleans’ own vibrant food scene while crowning the next top dining destination on the continent.

Parisian chic meets Manhattan as luxury label Ami Paris transforms SoHo’s iconic Balthazar brasserie into a month-long immersive activation. Through March 11, diners can enjoy co-branded sketches on their placemats and exclusive treats from the bakery, all designed to celebrate the shared joie de vivre of these two cultural powerhouses.

Portugal’s beloved Sublime Comporta hotel is expanding its footprint with “Sand,” a contemporary new wing designed to foster social connection and wellness. Opening just in time for the summer season, the addition features 43 private villas and a vibrant new beach-club that complements the resort’s original “Terracotta” wing.

Luxury accessory rental service Vivrelle has arrived on Aspen’s slopes through a new partnership with the premier après-ski destination, The Snow Lodge. Throughout the 2025/2026 season, members can complement their mountain style with high-end designer bags and jewelry, ensuring you’ll look the part from the first run to après-ski.

Deep in the Ubud jungle, Hanging Gardens of Bali has unveiled The Hidden Palace as a standalone ultra-luxury villa for travelers seeking total seclusion. This 21,000-square-foot private estate features five opulent suites and an Olympic-sized pool, blending ancient Balinese craftsmanship with 24-hour butler service.

Design-forward coffee group WatchHouse has arrived on the banks of the River Thames with a stunning new location at Millennium Bridge. Housed in a 2,050-square-foot tower, the space features iridescent, hand-painted surfaces and industrial-sleek interiors, offering a dramatic backdrop for sipping specialty roasts between visits to the Tate Modern and St. Paul’s.

Ireland’s storied Adare Manor is merging East and West with the launch of Ōku, an elevated sushi concept that pays homage to the estate’s namesake “Ford of the Oak.” The menu focuses on the purity of flavor, pairing premium Japanese techniques and Bluefin tuna with the finest local Irish bounty in a sophisticated, intimate setting.

After a week of keynote sessions, media meetings, and hallway conversations with industry leaders—set against the glittering backdrop of Monte-Carlo, Monaco (the kind of place where “work conference” means overlooking the Mediterranean)—a few themes surfaced again and again.

One of the more surprising discussions at the summit centered around the ripple effects of weight-loss medications and how they’re quietly reshaping the wellness economy. According to PwC’s Ali Furman, these drugs represent a “physiological evolution” that’s changing how people think about their bodies, health routines, and travel itself.

For hotels, the implication is clear: wellness can no longer be an afterthought. Guests are increasingly seeking experiences that support their broader health journeys—from nutrition-forward dining to movement programming and restorative spa offerings. Wellness travel, in other words, is becoming far more holistic than a simple spa day.

Artificial intelligence was a prevalent topic of discussion, particularly in how travelers plan and personalize trips. Ankur Jain, founder of Bilt, spoke about using data and AI to create a “home away from home” experience—where guests arrive at a hotel and immediately feel connected to the neighborhood around them.

For the industry, it signals a broader shift: travel discovery is becoming increasingly digital, predictive, and personalized. Hotels that integrate smart technology behind the scenes—while keeping the experience seamless for guests—will likely lead the next phase of hospitality.

Another theme echoed throughout the summit: travelers aren’t just booking places to stay anymore—they’re booking stories, memories, and moments worth sharing. Jeremy Jauncey, founder of Beautiful Destinations, noted that “the vast majority of travelers already have a shaped conception of your hotel before they even step foot inside.”

In other words, the experience often begins long before check-in. For hotels, that means rethinking how they present everything—from rooms to restaurants—and turning those stories into content that inspires travelers to book.

In other words, the experience often begins long before check-in. For hotels, that means rethinking how they present everything—from rooms to restaurants—and turning those stories into content that inspires travelers to book.

Read the full article here.