There’s never a bad time to escape the Northeast and head down south — and clearly the other guests at West Palm Beach’s The Belgrove Resort & Spa had the same idea. After spending 48 hours at this Marriott Autograph collection hotel, I fell in love with the relaxing, laid-back atmosphere of this tropical oasis.
Situated on a former mango grove along Lake Mangonia, this luxurious property is only a few minutes away from the urban area of West Palm Beach’s downtown. From unmatched pool-side service to access to the exclusive Dutchman’s Pipe Golf Club course, my quick staycation getaway at The Belgrove Resort & Spa felt like I was part of an exclusive “bubble” in Florida — in the best way possible. If you’re planning a tropical getaway, here’s what you can expect at this refined retreat.
Little details that defined my stay
As a travel and food writer, I get the privilege of checking out some of the nicest luxury hotels across the world. Regardless of the destination, however, I always pay close attention to the little things that set a stay apart from “good” to “exceptional”. At The Belgrove Resort & Spa, I noticed so many special touches that I haven’t seen at other hotels.
Right upon check in, I was provided a customized engraved water bottle with my name on it — a special touch that got the stay off to a nice start. Throughout my time here, I started to notice several other little touches that make this property memorable, such as the option to select your own pillow firmness preference (which is then delivered to to your room) and Coola Suncare products available in pumps by the pool.
The staff here will even help you scope out chairs by the beach if you haven’t rented a cabana. To me, these little touches make you feel more “at home” during a stay here and truly transform a hotel into a real retreat. Despite it’s massive size, as a luxury boutique hotel, the Belgrove only houses 150 guest rooms and suites, giving it a very intimate vibe. Even during busy periods and peak season, this retreat retains its exclusive, relaxing retreat vibe.
Stylish and functional rooms
As a traveler who always needs to work while on the road, I have a special appreciation for functional hotel rooms. Designing a beautiful hotel room is only half the battle when building a hotel. Functionality really comes into play for guests — especially those on long stays.
Again, little things — like a sliding door to the bathroom that allows one guest to get ready without disrupting another sleeping — make a stay functional and memorable. (and I can’t complain about the delicious truffles waiting on my pillow after the evening turn down service).
During my visit, I also got to tour the impressive Presidential Suite rooms (two available on property) which are great for longer stays and include a half-bath and a huge dining table. The views from the “resort view” rooms are also so worth it, with beautiful views of the resort pools and the Dutchman’s Pipe golf course in the background. Views like that make it tough to leave and go back to the Northeast.
Dining at The Belgrove
The resort’s signature restaurant, Society 48, serves as the primary dining location for the property, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I had the pleasure of dining outside here for dinner and inside for breakfast, and both meals were exceptional. My favorite part, however, was the signature cocktails served here with fun foam tops and beautiful presentation. A fun cocktail always makes a meal so much better, if you ask me.
Experiences at The Belgrove
No matter what type of vacation you’re after — whether a golf escape or a wellness retreat, there’s a home for you at the Belgrove Resort & Spa. When you check in here, you don’t even need to worry about leaving the property for anything. For a relaxing wellness retreat style-stay, guests can participate in activities like morning yoga, spa treatments, and a dip in the hot tubs located throughout the property. Once you get a taste of the vibroacoustic loungers in the spa, you might not make your dinner reservation.
Active travelers can enjoy the 24/7 fitness center and a variety of racquet sports, including pickleball, tennis, and Paddle. There also bike rentals, and of course, a round of golf at Dutchman’s Pipe a 7,300-yard championship Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Travelers who are visiting this retreat with friends and family can also take advantage of interactive games like cornhole, yard jenga, ping pong, and more (located right by the family-friendly pool area).
Monthly activities are also posted around the resort, such as exclusive wine tastings, beer tastings, and even one-of-a-kind events like a candle making class. With a rotating selection of activities, guests can step outside of their comfort zone and try something new every time they come.
