Can the Gulf Coast best South Florida for haute hotels? Here’s a look at all the new luxury openings
If you haunt Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami year in and year out, snooting at the rest of the Sunshine State, you’ve done yourself a disservice. Across the Everglades, over central Florida’s soupy inland lakes, through the Democratic People’s Republic of Disney and along the Gulf Coast are many splendid cities. Sure, they may have once lured, by and large, middle-class Southern families, snowbirds, Scientologists and college kids whose idea of a good time was a twelver of Natural Light, but no more. Over the last decade, things have upscaled and how. Ritz, St. Regis, Cabot — they’re the Gucci, Fendi, Prada of a new West Coast Florida.
Catch up on all the new luxury the other coast has to offer below.
Just opened in October, this gorgeous property sits on Sarasota’s barrier island along 18 acres of beachfront. When your toes have had enough of the 800 feet of private white sand (never), mosey on over to “The Pools” courtyard with a resort pool, Jacuzzi and a winding river.
There’s even an adults-only pool with a waterfall. Another standout here is the 20,000-square-foot spa, decked out with a Finnish sauna and eucalyptus steam room. After a treatment, zonk out in one of the 168 guest rooms and 26 suites or sidle up to the St. Regis Bar or any of the hotel’s six other ways to wine and dine.
Calling all nature enthusiasts: the hotel has a 4-acre saltwater lagoon where you can spy stingrays, reef fish and Aldabra tortoises staffed by marine biologists.
From $1,052/night; Marriott.com.
Yes, it’s the Ritz. You know it’s going to be good. What you didn’t know is that following its July 2023 renovation (the hotel shut down following Hurricane Ian in 2022), this is the Ritz that has in-the-know jetsetters raving. First, it’s home to the brand’s largest Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge (it’s the only one with a full-service bar).
Second, the 474 overhauled rooms and suites showcase the dreamy work of Parker Torres Design (they added textures to the textiles, a neutral color palette, and lots of old-school Naples glamour), rounded out by a Diptyque bath essentials and Frete bedding. Last but not least, the new poolside setup has specific pools for children, families and adults, along with cabanas and fully enclosed air-conditioned bungalows.
If you’re traveling with kids, we’d also be remiss not to point you towards the property’s novel Ritz Kids experience, created in partnership with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, with a children’s playroom, in-house naturalist and destination-specific educational programs for children ages 5 to 12.
From $1,200/night; RitzCarlton.com
If you’re interested in staying about 30 minutes inland from the Gulf Coast, this January 2025 newcomer more than merits a visit — especially if you’re a golfer.
This is Cabot’s first US destination, and here you’ll find two 18-hole golf courses and two shorter courses on 1,200 acres. During your stay, you can also take a stab (pun not intended literally) at ax throwing, bass fishing or pickleball.
Two- and four-bedroom cottages with outdoor living space are available for nightly rental.
From $1,250/night; CabotCitrusFarms.com.
Opening its door to guests this February, Opal Sol is an ocean oasis connected to sister property Opal Sands via a glass-enclosed walkway that takes you to the new property’s 248 suites from studio to three-bedrooms, all with private balconies and unobstructed views of the gulf.
Guests of the dog-friendly hotel will be treated to access to four pools, 10 restaurants, two spas and salt room.
When you’re not lounging by the pool or getting dry skin sloughed away at the spas, Clearwater Beach is just a few steps away from the Opal Sands retreat.
From $491/night; OpalCollection.com.
Way down yonder on the Cocohatchee, the Perry opened in January. It’s outfitted with both ground and rooftop pools, wellness activities like yoga (or pump your adrenaline up at the decked-out fitness center) and direct access to the Gulf of Mexico and Wiggins State Park.
Don’t miss out on noshing on Cantonese cuisine at chef Dale Talde’s rooftop haunt, Tigress, or sipping libations at the adjacent cocktail lounge, Easy Tiger, with river and gulf views which may or may not start to go blurry after that final round of cocktails from James Beard award-winning mixologist Lynnette Marrero.
If you want to fill your days with a little more action, book a guided kayak excursion, sunset cruise or fishing trip, through the hotel’s partnership with All Water Excursions.
Opened in August, this Moxy does what Moxy Hotels do best: creating an artsy, bustling hotel with a locally slant. Here, a bold and colorful lobby with mid-century modern flair sets you up for an equally eclectic vacation.
Play skeeball or shuffleboard board games, scope out the live entertainment or record in the (free!) podcast studio.
After you’re settled in one of the 163 rooms and suites, head on up to the rooftop pool, which is also the location of its chic restaurant and nightlife hub, Sparrow.
From $249/night; Marriott.com.
Dubbed by marketers as a “love letter to St. Pete,” we just call this reopened a beaut. It came back to market last July, following substantial post-hurricane renovations. It’s now a must for folks who crave a plop-and-play vacay.
Check into one of the 113 guest rooms and suit up for the private beachfront with cabanas and water sports, either of the two pools or the marina with 29 boat slips. You can also blow off your city steam at the property’s Southside Sports, a complex with pickleball, beach volleyball and tennis courts. Come nightfall, soak up the mellifluous music from Azibi Stage, the resort’s entertainment venue or sip drinks at SkyBar + Grill, a two-story beachfront bar with Sunshine Skyway Bridge and Gulf views.
More updates ahead: The coming months will welcome Paradeco Coffee Roasters, fancy ding haunt SouthSeas Tapas and a 6,000-square-foot indoor event center.
From $169/night; SkyBeachHotel.com.
Reopened in December, also following hurricane renovations, this Anna Maria Island getaway is a must.
The family-friendly, 50-room property removed literally tons of sand from ground-floor rooms and from the property in just two months, after the brutal back-to-back punch of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. You’d never guess it’d been pummeled by Mother Nature though, now, as you bolster the recovering economy whilst hanging on the beach or by the heated pool, indulging in a “Sea-renity” beach massage or grabbing a boat rental from Coastal Watersports, on-site.
To head off the property’s grounds for a bit, hop aboard the island’s free trolley stop in front of Silver Surf and explore Historic Bridge Street Pier or Coquina Beach, and paint a sand dollar at Shiny Fish Emporium before scoping out other boutique shopping on Pine Avenue.
From $194/night; SilverResorts.com.