From upscale resorts to boutique accommodations, Florida’ s Historic Coast offers a satisfying selection of haute hoteliers.

St. Augustine’ s history of luxury dates back to Henry Flagler’ s Hotel Ponce de León, built in 1888 to accommodate the country’ s most elite families. Orbitz Senior Editor selected St. Augustine, with its classic hotels and intimate restaurants in a luxurious romantic setting, among the Top Five Great American Getaways.

At intimate B & Bs such as St. Augustine’ s Bayfront Marin House, guests watch sunrises and sailboats from well-appointed rooms. Others wake to cathedral bells in the fashionable Casa Monica Resort & Spa overlooking the plaza which has been splendidly restored by hotelier Richard Kessler. Its artful interiors balance antiques with amenities. At The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens, guests experience the intimacy of a B & B with the privacy of a suite. Sequestered on a

landscaped acre, seven restored homes represent 400 years of history and the city’ s only boutique hotel. Most importantly, these properties and others are walking distance to shops, dining and historic sites.

Further north in picturesque Ponte Vedra Beach, the butler-serviced wing of the sprawling Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa raises the bar on luxury. Butlers anticipate every need, from preferential tee times on adjacent TPC Sawgrass to poolside cabana reservations. The spacious accommodations feature designer finishes, stocked refrigerators and wine bars, and fresh flowers. With an onsite spa, signature restaurants and a complimentary shuttle whisking guests to a private beach, Sawgrass promises a superlative vacation.

Likewise, the venerable Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is an AAA Five-Diamond rated favorite among discerning travelers, many of whom return yearly to enjoy impeccable service, stellar golf and beautiful oceanfront rooms. Add three

pools, outstanding cuisine and northeast Florida’ s largest spa, and you have a recipe for rejuvenation. The resort’ s popular sister property, the Lodge and Club at Ponte Vedra, has an adults only lap pool and reciprocal access to the Inn & Club.

From Flagler’ s time to modern times, luxury stays on Florida’ s Historic Coast are not the same old story.

Ponte Vedra Lodge & Club

PHOTO: PONTE VEDRA RESORTS

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