3 Storied Florida Resorts Turn 100—And They’ve Never Been More Luxurious
📝 usncan Note: 3 Storied Florida Resorts Turn 100—And They’ve Never Been More Luxurious
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The Boca Raton is stepping into its second century in style.
The Boca Raton
Three of Florida’s most storied resorts — The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection in St. Petersburg, The Biltmore in Coral Gables and The Boca Raton — turn 100 this year. Born amid the explosive optimism of the Roaring Twenties, these icons ushered in a new era of Florida luxury and leisure. A century later, after years of reinvention, they are still welcoming guests.
Florida’s grand hotels have always been more than just places to stay — they’re living landmarks, each with decades’ worth of stories woven into their walls. These posh properties continue to offer travelers the same promise they did in the 1920s: a chance to escape into a world where history, beauty and hospitality meet in unforgettable fashion.
Keep reading to see how these stories resorts are stepping into their second century in style.
Mizner’s Pink Palace, Reimagined
The Boca Raton made its debut in 1926 as the vision of Addison Mizner, the flamboyant architect who helped define South Florida’s style. Conceived as the ultimate winter playground for America’s elite, the sprawling waterfront resort combined Old World grandeur with tropical glamour — drawing socialites and celebrities to its pink-hued towers and lavish gardens.
Nearly a century later, The Boca Raton, which houses five resorts and all the amazing amenities that come with them, has undergone a sweeping reimagination, unveiling a $375 million transformation that honors Mizner’s opulent aesthetic while refreshing every corner for modern luxury travelers. The property is now a collection of distinct experiences, from the stately Cloister, where original wrought-iron details and frescoed ceilings still impress, to the contemporary Beach Club at The Boca Raton, a Five-Star oceanside escape guaranteed to delight families and individuals alike.
The Boca Raton’s Spa Palmera is an architectural masterpiece.
The Boca Raton
Dining is a major draw here, with more than 15 restaurants and lounges, including Principessa Ristorante, a glamorous Italian spot overlooking Lake Boca that’s the perfect place to celebrate its centennial. These delicious destinations (and roughly 100 of Napa Valley’s top wineries) will be showcased at the second annual Artisans of Food & Wine, taking place at the resort on January 15 to 18, 2026.
Active pursuits are worth sampling here, too. Tee off on the championship golf course, unwind at the 50,000-square-foot Five-Star Spa Palmera or try your hand at padel or pickleball on one of the resort’s 12 new courts. The half-mile stretch of private golden beach still offers the same breezy allure that enchanted guests a century ago.
As it turns 100, The Boca Raton remains a world unto itself — where timeless elegance, sun-kissed leisure and a dash of Mizner’s original magic continue to captivate guests from around the globe.
Bridging the gilded past with a polished present at The Vinoy.
Brandon Barre Photography
Born From a Bet: The Legendary Origin of The Vinoy
The Vinoy first flung open its distinguished doors on New Year’s Eve in 1925, welcoming in a new era of luxury for the Gulf Coast. Built in just 10 months after a fabled wager between oil magnate Aymer Vinoy Laughner and golf champ Walter Hagen, the waterfront resort quickly became the social epicenter of St. Petersburg.
Today, The Vinoy, part of the Autograph Collection since 2023, seamlessly bridges its gilded past with a polished present. A top-to-bottom renovation preserved original details (see: hand-painted cypress wood beams and vintage ceramic tile) while introducing fresh coastal style to rooms and public spaces.
Elliott Aster is one of the property’s delicious new draws.
Anthony Tahlier
Guests can savor the rich history over dry-aged wagyu at the elegant new Elliott Aster brasserie or take in the marina views from Paul’s Landing, the property’s indoor-outdoor restaurant serving Florida favorites like citrus shrimp and the grouper sandwich. Relaxation comes easily, whether at the serene spa, the palm-lined pool deck or the Vinoy Golf Club, just a six-minute drive away. And if you want a deeper dive into the past, sign up for the docent-led History & High Tea tour, which includes tea and pastries.
As it celebrates its 100th year, The Vinoy remains every bit the grande dame of St. Petersburg — refined, radiant and ready for the next century.
Once Florida’s tallest building, The Biltmore still raises the bar.
The Biltmore
The Dramatic History of a Coral Gables Icon
The Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Biltmore opened January 15, 1926, the vision of Coral Gables founder George E. Merrick and hotel magnate John McEntee Bowman. Designed by famed architects Schultze & Weaver in the Mediterranean Revival style, its 315-foot tower, modeled after Seville’s Giralda, rose high above the surrounding subtropical landscape, making it Florida’s tallest building at the time. With the largest pool in the world as its dazzling centerpiece, the hotel quickly became the scene for high-society galas, fashion shows and aquatic performances featuring Esther Williams, while Olympic champion (and one of the first actors to portray Tarzan) Johnny Weissmuller served as its official lifeguard and swim instructor.
The Biltmore’s story took dramatic turns over the decades. During World War II, it was converted into a military hospital, later serving as a Veterans Administration facility and home to the University of Miami’s School of Medicine. After closing in 1968, it sat in quiet decay until a meticulous restoration in the 1980s brought it back to life as one of Florida’s grandest resorts.
Guest rooms were a part of a bold Biltmore renovation.
The Biltmore
Today, this National Historic Landmark blends its Old World grandeur with contemporary elegance. A bold multimillion-dollar renovation refreshed guest rooms, revived the historic lobby and enhanced amenities around the property. Guests can dine in the courtyard at the celebrated Fontana Restaurant, tee off on the championship golf course or retreat to the 12,000-square-foot spa, where Mediterranean-inspired architecture sets the scene for massages, hydrotherapy and wellness rituals.
One of the hotel’s most beloved traditions is its lavish afternoon tea in the lobby, where live harp music and tiered trays of delicate pastries create an experience that feels like stepping back into the Gilded Age. And then there’s the legendary Sunday brunch — an epicurean feast served in the palm-filled courtyard, offering everything from carving stations and fresh seafood to towers of desserts, often described as one of the most indulgent brunches in America. The hotel’s culinary academy and tennis center further round out the long list of reasons to linger.
As it enters its 100th year, The Biltmore stands as the crown jewel of Coral Gables — a living testament to Merrick’s “City Beautiful” vision, which sought to marry harmonious architecture, lush landscaping and cultural landmarks into one extraordinary community.
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