I was impressed from the moment I walked into the grand lobby of this luxury hotel.

Following a recent $130m refurbishment, this 310 room hotel oozes luxury and elegance with a contemporary feel.  It is a multi-generational escape for guests from around the US and overseas who want to enjoy the beach front views, cabanas, 3,000 sq ft ocean front terrace, courtyard pools, beautiful setting and warm Florida sun.

The “E” shape design allows as many rooms as possible to have a full or partial view of the ocean and all have private balconies.  The elegantly decorated rooms will make you feel right at home with neutral colours, warm golden upholstery and custom-made Italian mahogany furniture.  I slept so well in my extremely comfortable bed, engulfed in 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and Pacific Coast 100% goose-down pillows and duvet.  The standard guest rooms are a generous 418 sq ft and have an ocean, coastline or tropically-landscaped garden view.  The rooms are of course well-equipped with 32 inch HD flat screen TVs, wired and Wi-Fi Internet access ($9.95/24 hrs) and good size traditional writing desk.  The Ocean Front Suites are 812 sq ft and have a separate living room and very large bathroom which opens in to the bedroom through a sliding door that can be closed should you not wish to see the ocean from the free standing egg-shaped bath.

The bathrooms are as always with Ritz-Carlton, fabulous, with their Egyptian cotton towels and EauSpa amenties.  They are beautifully decorated in beige marble with double vanities, bathtub and separate walk in shower.  Naturally all the essentials are there including quality hair dryer, iron and ironing board, personal safe and mini-bar as well as an abundance of wardrobe space and draws.

The Club level on the 4^th floor with access to the quiet private Lounge, which offers breakfast as well as light snacks, hors d’oeuvres and beverages throughout the day.

This is very much a family friendly hotel with 2 and 3 bedroom “Nanny” suites.  Family Suites are very large at 1,648 sq ft.  A comprehensive children’s program called AquaNuts offers a variety of activities to keep the kids busy and happy whilst you are enjoying the sun and beach.  There is something for everyone with a playroom, PCs, costumes to dress up in and of course music, games, arts and crafts.  They also offer special themed camps such as learning to surf, a tech camp or model and fashion where children can indulge their creative side.

The Presidential Suite styling is quite different and unique, being very modern and retro with its eye-catching artwork, pool table and 3,300 sq ft size. The two bedrooms offer a more masculine and also feminine side and perhaps the focal point is the wall of “shoe art” with shoes paying tribute to the likes of Hillary Clinton, Betty Ford, Marie Antoinette and Princess Diana amongst others!

The large Eau Spa is simply wonderful and indulgent.  There is also a well-equipped gym with Life Fitness cardio equipment, free weights and spinning room should you want to take a class.  Golf is popular in nearby Palm Beach and there are three tennis courts should you fancy a game of tennis.

Temple Orange is the main restaurant, offering a sumptuous buffet breakfast and Angle their fine dining restaurant, which I sadly did not get the chance to try as it was low season.  Of course many people prefer to sit outside and Breeze, Stir Bar and Terrace gives you the chance to eat or sip a cocktail by the ocean or simply watch the warm evening draw in by the cosy firepit.