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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