Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach

A $130 million makeover in 2007 gave a jolt of youthful and glamorous energy to this seven-acre Gold Coast resort, where the lobby and the 310 guest rooms still exude Palm Beach opulence—plush pastel carpeting, sand-colored wood furnishings, and ornate chandeliers. Layered onto the experience is a new, whimsical vibe, most obvious in the public spaces, restaurants, and superb spa. Now vacationing urbanites stroll through neo-Baroque interiors; unwind at the emerald-accented Eau Spa, the place for jewel-inspired treatments such as the Crushed Pearl Body Smoother (a full-body exfoliation finished with an iridescent pearl oil massage); and, come evening, converge at Angle, a supper club that serves an elaborate Chef’s Table seafood menu by candlelight, or at Stir Bar for mojitos and the signature cocktail, Hidden Pleasure (a blend of vodka, Chambord, and fruit juices topped with champagne). A bonus for families: the hotel—complete with two pools and a 3,000-square-foot oceanfront terrace—caters to kids of any age as much as it pampers adults. Little ones (ages 5 to 12) can spend an afternoon making their own marine-themed stuffed animals, while teens have a dedicated “club” for playing video games or Guitar Hero.