Forget everything that WAS Ritz Carlton about this resort because it is not that anymore !
The current owners are Israeli and are very intent on bringing an authentic Mediterranean
feel to the resort. As Laura DePalma of sales put it, they are seeking an ‘eclectic Santorini’ feel
to the resort. I believe they are well on the way to succeeding in doing so.
The Eau Palm Beach is a wonderful oceanfront getaway just 15 minutes from the PBI airport.
309 rooms and suites in 3 separate buildings, north, central and south, 6 floors high each.
The North building is located atop the small conference areas, the Central building has
the best access to the family pool and Temple Orange Restaurant and the south building the best access to
the adult only “quiet” pool.
I was in a one-bedroom oceanfront suite on the 4th floor Club level. I loved the blue and white color scheme in
the rooms, perfect bringing the outdoors in. Master bath had a deep oval soaking tub and huge rainforest shower
with two wall heads as well. There is also a guest bathroom with big walk-in shower and w/c.
The balconies are painted a bright yellow and have small table, two chairs and all accommodations
have a hanging chair that is mezzzzzmerizing as you swing gently listening to the surf ….
Ground floor suites have a private cabana feature on the patio. Some may not like these rooms
because of the foot traffic right in front of them but it does allow very easy access to pool area
and the beach.
I had lunch with Laura DePalma of Sales on Saturday in Temple Orange Restaurant. Located on the
ground level in the middle building, serving buffet breakfast, al a carte lunch and dinner daily with both
indoor and outdoor seating available. Bright and airy throughout. Just off the restaurant is a fire pit area with about a dozen
chairs around which they will light in the evenings for cocktails, etc.
Angle is their fine dining restaurant open for lunch and dinner, very different in feel from Temple Orange. I guess
fine dining also means dimly lit, darker environment with very comfy sofas to dine on. but it doesn’t detract from the food?!
Stir Bar is in the lobby area serving small nibbles and of course cocktails. In the evenings the lighting changes to a funky
blue hue throughout the lobby and they light about 100 small votive candles around the lobby. There is also a DJ spinning
music making for a very relaxed club-like feel to the area. Even with kids it still comes off as a nice environment in the evening.
Speaking of kids, there were many families as well as couples and a few corporate people there as well on a sold-out weekend.
I did not get a chance to leave the property as Saturday afternoon a visit to the 42,000sqft. Eau Spa was a must. Heavenly ….. in The Self
Centered Garden you can lounge on day beds or relax in a swinging chair dangling your feet in the water. The spa has 19 treatment
rooms, some couples rooms with a villa feature outdoors (at an additional fee) that has outdoor tubs and showers along with
day beds. Scrubs, massages, salon and much more .. it’s all there.
Price point is much better than at The Breakers!