The Best of South Florida

By Beth Landman

It's close to a miracle that New Yorkers can hop off a three-hours flight and step into a place with tropical beauty, awe-inspiring sunsets and endless beaches. Even a weekend excursion to Florida presses the reset button. Below: a look at three new hotels and a time-honored favorite.

Delray Sands
Ocean Properties has totally transformed this hotel located within the high-end enclave of Highland Beach, into a modern retreat just completed in December. Situated within a short drive of Delray Beach, it allows you to experience the tranquility of a residential area, and have access to booming nightlife. Rooms hug the ocean and the new restaurant, Lattitudes, serves up the freshest seafood: huge glass windows make you feel like you are dining on the beach.
2809 South Ocean Blvd.;Highland Beach, 561-278-6241

Royal Blues
Opened in October by producer Edward Walson, (Blue Jasmine;Magic in the Moonlight), the chic twelve-room hotel is the first in Florida to be recognized by Relais and Chateaux. With an eye to attracting his Hollywood colleagues, Walson built rooms inspired by luxury yachts– a good call when they overlook the sea. A dramatic aquarium adorns the health conscious French restaurant Chanson, and can be seen while swimming in the pool. The sleepy town of Deerfield is such a nostalgic throwback you might feel you are on one of Walson's film sets.
45 S Ocean Way, Deerfield Beach, 954-857-2929

The Four Seasons Palm Beach
A classic choice in one of the prettiest destinations around, this resort has it all – beachfront pool, state of the art spa and beautifully appointed rooms. The stately lobby restaurant was replaced last year with Jove, a fun new Mediterranean concept with a lounge area and fire pit. The hotel will even provide complimentary car service into town so that you can pop into Palm Beach's shops and cafes.
2800 S Ocean Blvd, Palm Beach, 561-582-2800

Wyndham Grand Jupiter at Harbourside Place
If you want to land somewhere and not move far during your stay, this resort in the new Harbourside complex is an ideal choice. Tiger Wood's new eatery and Tommy Bahama's with its great outdoor dining scene are just downstairs. The resort itself has its own wonderful seafood restaurant and a great deck area with a glittering lap sized pool.
122 Surroundings Ave., Jupiter, 561-273-6600
Restaurants
Hudson
New this season, the Mediterranean inspired spot is perched on the intracoastal, so sit outside if you can. Start with lobster potato skins and move on to a pork porterhouse or fish tacos made with fresh catch and avocado lime crema.
900 East Atlantic Ave., 561-303-1343

City Fish Market
An impressive selection of iced fish is on full view at the entrance to one of the prettiest restaurants in south Florida. Sit by the window overlooking a lake and choose from a wide array of local fish including black grouper or cobia; then select your preparation.
7940 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, 561-487-1600

Chop's Lobster
Whether you opt for the upstairs steakhouse or the downstairs "lobster bar", you will feel totally welcome and undoubtedly find something you love on the menu full of high quality items. Meat runs the gamut from veal porterhouse to wagyu strip: if you want to be decadent, add a topping like foir gras or soft cooked farm egg bernaise. Horseradish crusted black grouper with pink grapefruit emulsion is perfect for seafood lovers.
Royal Palm Place, 101 Plaza Real S, Boca Raton, 561-395-2675

Del Frisco's Grille
A new chef has elevated this branch of the upscale bar and grille. Check out crunchy little ahi tuna tacos, a range of steaks, perfectly roast chicken, local seafood and a host of sides including parmesan fries and roasted asparagus that tastes like it was just picked. Leave room for Nutella bread pudding.
340 Royal Poinciana Way Ste 300, Palm Beach, 561-557-2552

Henry's
Burt Rapoport's restaurant, including this one in west Delray, are the kind of places that make you feel so comfortable, you could eat in them several nights a week. This one offers everything from local fish to cranberry glazed turkey mushroom meatloaf. Don't miss the "magic'' split pea soup: it's made without fat or thickeners and there are near riots when they run out.
16850 Jog Rd, Delray Beach, 561-638-1949

Café Med
Breathe in the ocean air as you sip a glass of wine on the patio and dig into an aromatic cioppino stocked with a half Maine lobster and other shellfish, a plate of papardelle with sliced duck breast, or tomahawk grilled rib-eye.
2096 NE Second St., Deerfield Beach; 954-596-5840

Coco Asian Bistro
If you are looking for a cozy spot, pick one of the bamboo enclosed banquettes at this pan Asian spot that features wonderful salads, high quality sushi and a full array of cooked dishes including lobster pad thai.
Harbor Shops, 1841 Cordova Rd, Fort Lauderdale; 954-525-3541

Services Salon Oasis
If you have a big night, this is the place to go to spiff up, from cut and styling, to conditioning that will defy the humidity, to perfect pedicures.
6100 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, 561-482-9610

A1A
Need a ride from the airport to your hotel, or just want to have a cocktail or two and get back to your hotel in one piece? This thoroughly professional service is the most comfortable and reliable. 561-622-2222