The Sunshine State is known for its beaches – Miami Beach, Clearwater Beach, Fernandina Beach, Pete Beach, and classic South Beach; all the Florida beaches hold iconic status. Many of Florida’s beaches are lined with amusement parks and partying promenades. It is no shock that Florida’s beaches are some of the best places to visit in the state or that Florida beach resorts are in hot demand.
If you plan a trip to Florida, soft sand and beach views are likely on your order. You’ll be on the hunt for the best beach resorts in Florida, and Florida is certainly not short of ‘best resorts’ for you to choose from, so lucky you.
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Top Florida Beach Resorts
In this guide, we’ll cover the best of the Florida resorts on the market. Whether you want a pristine stretch of private beach, oceanfront pools, or private balconies with stunning ocean views, we’ve got you covered. Florida’s beach resorts have everything from championship golf courses to jet skiing and fresh seafood. Seriously, you are in for a treat. And with that said, here are the top 16 beach resort choices in Florida.
1. Ocean Key Resort & Spa
Ocean Key Resort is one of the best beach resorts in Florida. It is located right at the bottom of the Florida Keys – way past Key Largo and Islamorada, sitting on the island of Key West. The 4-star hotel is in traditional style, overlooking the ocean from rows and rows of metal balconies.
Each suite has its own balcony, and even in the lower price categories, each room has a whirlpool tub and balcony option. Ocean Keys Resort is classic and has a definite sense of luxury. With a full-service spa and a waterfront restaurant, it’s easy to see why past guests love it so much.
Ocean Keys Resort overlooks the harbor directly. This means to actually swim in the sea, you’ll need to walk to Simonton Beach, just six minutes away. The harbor setting helps to give Ocean Key Resort & Spa a much more traditional, rustic atmosphere, though, so don’t let this put you off. Key West has loads of things to do as well.
Key Amenities
- Rustic harbor setting
- Key West location
- Whirlpool tubs in every room
2. Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa is an award-winning spa resort on Manalapan’s beachfront. Beloved by Forbes and many other esteemed judges of resort quality, this property has a real reputation for luxury. And in its own words, it offers a ‘grown-up playground where gratification and indulgence are not only acceptable, they are encouraged.’ Eau Palm Beach Resort provides a spa with a water garden, a fitness center, water sports rentals, and a bar with a fire pit. Its facilities have a definite wow factor. And that’s before you even consider the complimentary amenities like the free afternoon tea and a beach bag with flip-flops. Eau Palm Beach Resort is excellent fun, and its atmosphere emphasizes that.
If you want to let your hair down, Eau Palm Beach Resort is a fantastic place to do so. We’d suggest it for anyone looking for a more indulgent holiday. Manalapan’s suburban feel is super relaxing, too, offering peace and quiet despite being just outside of Fort Lauderdale.
Key Amenities
- Free afternoon tea
- Water sports rentals
- Spa
3. Little Palm Island Resort & Spa
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa is about as luxurious as it gets. The resort is no stranger to the spotlight and has been covered as a top-tier luxury beach resort by travel magazines worldwide. Set on its own private island, Little Palm Island Resort is just off Little Torch Key, Big Pine Key, and Ramrod Key. Only accessible by seaplane or boat, it is exhilarating just to travel to, let alone stay. The resort’s traditional architecture is enthralling, with thatched roofs and wooden features for an authentic island feel.
The resort has a library, spa, fitness center, and unlimited beaches to enjoy. Even better, yacht transport from the airport is complimentary. If you want a memorable beach resort experience, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa is easily top of its game.
Key Amenities
- On-site library
- Island location
- Unlimited beaches
4. Sandpearl Resort
Get ready for another Clearwater Beach gem. Sandpearl Resort is set on the all-famous and – arguably – most beautiful beach on Clearwater’s barrier islands. The resort has an upscale, self-contained sense of community, with luxury high rises jutting up to shelter the huge outdoor pool from outsiders’ views. Everything you need is on-site – from a full-service spa to activities like beach volleyball. If you want an everything-you-need-on-your-doorstep resort experience, Sandpearl Resort is where to stay in Florida. And its Clearwater location is just an added bonus, with all the water sports opportunities you could possibly desire.
Sandpearl has a glitzy atmosphere and a brilliant location right on the beachfront. WiFi is included in the resort fee for booking.
Key Amenities
- Beach activities
- Clearwater location
- Outdoor pool
5. Opal Sands Resort
Contemporary and gulf-front, Opal Sands Resort is situated just 1km away from Pier 60 and sits on the iconic sands of Clearwater Beach. Clearwater Beach is a hotspot for jet skiing, parasailing, and almost every other type of water sport you can think of. Regularly voted as one of the best beaches in the US, it is the perfect location for this fun yet luxurious beach resort. Opal Sands Resort has a full-service spa with extra lavish spa packages you can choose from, relaxing additions to your resort experience. There’s also a fitness center and expansive outdoor pool.
Every room at Opal Sands Resort has a private balcony and ocean views. The resort has a real ‘beach holiday’ atmosphere, with ocean views from when you wake up until you sleep. Plus, all the extras, like the spa and Italian dining, are on site.
Key Amenities
- Full-service spa
- Private balconies
- Outdoor pool
6. Pink Shell Beach Resort
Despite being forced into closure after the September 2022 Hurricane Ian, Pink Shell Beach Resort is back and better than ever. The resort won the 2023 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice award. And you can see why, as its prime location on Fort Myers Beach is impossible not to love. The hotel has doorstep access to the beach and is just a 7-minute walk to Bowditch Point Park. It has a laidback, family-friendly vibe – with a much less party atmosphere than other beach resorts in Florida. The kid’s camp is an excellent asset to any family holiday. With three outdoor pools (including one lagoon-style pool with a waterfall), Pink Shell Beach Resort is a fun place.
You can rent out water sports equipment, enjoy the pools, work up a sweat in the fitness center, or just enjoy direct beach access. Each guest gets a complimentary breakfast and valet parking, a nice touch.
Key Amenities
- Complimentary breakfast
- Fort Myers Beach location
- Three outdoor pools
7. Acqualina Resort and Residences
Acqualina Resort and Residences is world-class and world recognized. Think sky-high ratings by Forbes, Five Diamond, and more. Set on its own private 4.5 acres of coastline, Acqualina Resort and Residences is located on the quiet Sunny Isles Beach and is the perfect luxury getaway for anyone wanting a high-caliber beach resort. Each room choice offers private balconies and stately furnishings. The whole property gives off an atmosphere of utmost elegance. And facility-wise, there are three outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and a fitness center.
Interestingly, despite its high-caliber atmosphere, Acqualina Resort and Residences isn’t just for adults. The resort also has special programs for its younger guests, including AcquaMarine, a marine biology program. So you can expect luxury for all ages when you book a holiday experience.
Key Amenities
- Specialist kids programs
- Sunny Isles Beach
- Spa
8. Amara Cay Resort
Amara Cay Resort is an understated but elegant four-star resort in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Islamorada is where to stay on the Keys if you love deep-sea fishing and diving. It is coined the ‘Sportfishing Capital of the World’ and, as such, is home to tons of marine life and giant fish. You can enjoy everything from dolphin spotting to catching tarpon. And with its vast outdoor pool and hammocks with beach views, Amara Cay Resort is the perfect oceanfront base to enjoy all of Islamorada’s water activities.
The resort has spacious rooms, a fitness center, and an on-site spa. While there are on-site dining and custom cocktails at the Tiki Bar downstairs for a bit more culinary indulgence. Amara Cay Resort includes WiFi in its overall resort fee, and you get access to a brilliant collection of facilities – great value for money if you ask us.
Key Amenities
- Islamorada location
- Outdoor pool
- Hammocks
9. Parmers Resort
Parmers Resort is one of the most low-key beach resort options in Florida. The resort is set on a quiet little beach on the mostly-bypassed island of Little Torch Key in the Florida Keys. Little Torch Key is famous for its casual vibe, family-run and independent restaurants, and kick-your-feet-back style of beachfront living. Parmers Resort reaffirms this Little Torch Key stereotype. Despite being just 0.5 miles from the Overseas Highway, Parmers Resort feels like it’s in its own bubble.
Guests enjoy complimentary breakfast and parking. Plus, there’s a heated outdoor pool, hammocks, and even a mini golf course – forget any snootiness of championship golf courses. Another massive bonus of staying in Parmers Resort is that there are entire bungalows to rent. If you want space as well as a peaceful atmosphere, Parmers Resort is your very best choice of Florida’s beachfront resorts. It is somewhere that you go to relax and unplug.
Key Amenities
- Quiet Little Torch Key location
- Complimentary breakfast
- Bungalow room options
10. Ritz Carlton Sarasota
Ritz Carlton Sarasota is the ultimate luxury when it comes down to choosing Florida resorts. The luxe property has access to a private beach. It is set in the cultural city of Sarasota – most known for its art museums and prior Ringling Brothers Circus. Sarasota has a decidedly cool atmosphere, and the Ritz Carlton Sarasota builds on this with a swanky resort design. Everything from the illuminated outdoor pool to the on-site 18-hole golf clubs screams, ‘This is the cool place to be.’ Ritz Carlton Sarasota has a real sense of style.
The resort fee includes WiFi and use of all facilities, including the top-spec tennis courts. While the private beach is 3 miles away (you are set overlooking the ocean but in a section of coastline with no direct beach access), you can take advantage of a free shuttle that runs like clockwork.
Key Amenities
- Art museums and culture
- 18-hour golf course
- Swanky resort design
11. Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club
Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club is a beach resort in the thick of it. Just 4 miles from Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club has 500 meters of private beach and many recreational facilities – including a shuffleboard and volleyball courts. The resort has its own spa and a whopping four different restaurants, so prepare to dine on rotation without needing to leave the premises. Aside from these winning factors, Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club has a fitness center and two outdoor pools. Honestly, what more could you want? Lago Mar is ideal for a holiday, with everything ready at your fingertips.
And inclusions? WiFi, recreational activities, and toiletries are all complimentary. Some rooms come with private fridges, and every room has coffee-making facilities.
Key Amenities
- Recreational facilities
- Fort Lauderdale location
- Outdoor pools
12. The Breakers Palm Beach
The Breakers Palm Beach is a five-star resort with some serious oomph. Picture thick-colored carpets and ornate ceilings with plush furnishings. The Breakers Palm Beach is a top choice if you want an in-your-face extravagance. It makes sense, too, considering that the resort is set in Florida’s architecturally vibrant West Palm Beach. The area is famed for gorgeous architecture and luxury shopping opportunities, as well as the Intracoastal Waterway, which is typically appreciated by boating.
Apart from all the joys of the beautiful Palm Beach and the resort’s architecture, it has some brilliant facilities too. You can enjoy half a mile of a private beach, a spa, and two golf courses. Plus, not one but four different oceanfront pools and six hot tubs – so you can embrace swimming in the resort rather than venturing to the sea if you want. The Breakers Palm Beach resort has a luxury atmosphere, but its facilities set you at ease. It is a fabulous hotel to just visit and relax.
Key Amenities
- Palm Beach attractions
- Private beach
- Golf courses
13. Palm Beach Shores Resort and Vacation Villas
Palm Beach Shores Resort and Vacation Villas is an elegant, light pink-painted resort on the waterfront of Singer Island. The resort directly overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and has a private beach, spa, and outdoor pool. However, this Florida resort stands out incredibly for its self-catering options. You can choose from a mix of suites and villas with kitchens, balconies, and living rooms. So if you want to know that you can come ‘home’ to a kitchen and cook up your own storm on holiday, this is the place for you. Of course, if you fancy a day off, the casual American restaurant downstairs is happy to help.
Palm Beach Shores Resort and Vacation Villas also have impressive on-site activities. For kids, this could be Kids Club. For adults, area walking tours or a yoga class. The resort has a friendly feel, perfect for a homely vacation.
Key Amenities
- Lots of on-site activities
- Kitchens in all suites and villas
- Singer Island location
14. Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa
Everyone has heard of the Hilton hotels. So what is special about this one? Well, many things, but in particular, it is noteworthy that Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa is an all-suite resort, meaning spacious rooms all around. And Marco Island is known for its white sand beaches, beautiful scenery, and views over the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll be glad to hear that each suite has a balcony. Adventurous guests should note that Marco Island is adjacent to Everglades National Park. Hilton Marco Island is the perfect base for going on nature-sighting tours and Everglades experiences. And its spacious layout means it is ideal for those wanting to truly relax.
For location and spaciousness, Hilton Marco Island is one of the best beach resorts in Florida. The resort has an adventurous atmosphere, too, with complimentary kayak rentals and sailing opportunities.
Key Amenities
- Kayak rentals and sailing
- Close to Everglades National Park
- Marco Island location
15. The Savoy Hotel & Beach Club
The Savoy Hotel & Beach Club is one you’ve likely heard mentioned before. The stylish resort is all built in art deco style and is situated on the ever-trendy South Beach in Miami. The Savoy sits on its own two acres of tropical gardens with two swimming pools designed in swirling layouts. Directly after these swimming pools, the property extends to a private beach section. With restaurant waiters and waitresses on hand, you can enjoy beach service from your complimentary deck chair. The resort fee covers WiFi, all beach equipment, fitness center access, and even pool cabanas. The nicest thing about the Savoy is that you can arrive knowing that relaxation is taken care of already.
Undoubtedly, the Savoy Hotel & Beach Club is one of the best beach resorts in Florida. Depending on your room choice, you may have a private balcony or terrace – ocean views from your bedroom are really the cherry on top. Visiting South Beach is one of the top things to do in Miami, so why not base yourself there?
Key Amenities
- Art deco style
- South Beach location
- Stunning outdoor swimming pools
16. Omni Amelia Island Resort
Golfers, listen up; Omni Amelia Island Resort is one of the most top-voted golf resorts in the world. The resort has a fantastic total of three golf resorts, heaven on Earth for any avid golfer. Even better, since it is located on the idyllic barrier island of Amelia Island, the golf courses have unrivaled views of the Atlantic Ocean and rugged coastline. The golfing opportunities are the primary benefit of this resort.
Of course, there are other exciting aspects, like the resort’s nature center. Omni Amelia Island Resort also features 23 tennis courts, the largest poolscape in northern Florida, and nine different on-site restaurants. Omni Amelia Island Resort is a (pretty big) bubble of isolated luxury in a remote island setting. Its atmosphere is friendly and luxurious, but the resort fully embraces a more off-the-beaten-track environment. It is best suited to golfers and wildlife lovers.
Key Amenities
- Golf courses
- Tennis courts
- Largest poolscape in northern Florida
To Conclude
It is easy to see why Florida is one of the most popular destinations for a beach resort holiday. It seems like every resort has a private stretch of beach, exciting water sports, and oceanfront pools. And while swimming pools are a welcome luxury, nothing quite beats the feeling of having the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico on your doorstep.
Looking for more luxurious Florida beach resorts? Check out these 16 best all-inclusive resorts in Florida. If a beach resort is heaven, an all-inclusive beach resort is triply so; scan through these top options. Enjoy the Sunshine State to the maximum.
