There’s something about a Palm Beach vacation that hits different. Even we Palm Beach County locals will agree. Certain resorts here can make you feel like you’re thousands of miles away from home, even if it’s only a short drive’s distance.
If you’re planning a trip to Palm Beach and want to stay somewhere both relaxed and elevated, you need to book a reservation at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens.
Roger and I checked into PGA National Resort for a Palm Beach weekend getaway. It didn’t take long to realize that this isn’t just a hotel you stay at while on a Palm Beach or West Palm Beach vacation, it’s totally its own experience. There is so much to do, you never even have to leave the property!
One of the best parts about staying at PGA National Resort is how close you are to everything, but it still feels like you’re staying in a private, tucked-away gem. If you decide to venture off the property for a Palm Beach day out to explore, you’re in an ideal central spot.
All of these places are within a 10-30 minute drive from the resort:
- Worth Avenue, Palm Beach Island
- Downtown West Palm Beach
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center
- Flagler Museum
- Norton Museum of Art
- Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum
- The Gardens Mall
- PGA Commons
- Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
For my locals looking for a fun staycation, PGA National Resort will make you forget you’re still in your home state. For out-of-towners planning a Palm Beach vacation itinerary, this is the kind of place that makes you want to extend your trip before you’ve even unpacked. And yes, the resort is family friendly!
Culinary Experiences You Don’t Want to Miss
You will definitely eat well during your stay at PGA National. The dining options here are unparalleled. If you’re a foodie with an appetite for celebrity-chef-owned spots, you’ve come to the right place. Just to note, you do not have to be a guest of the resort to dine at any of these restaurants.
The Butcher’s Club
The swanky steakhouse vibes are high at this restaurant from Florida native Jeremy Ford, James Beard Award nominee and winner of Top Chef Season 13. This is your get-dressed-up dinner night. The atmosphere is dim and moody in the best way, and the service is so attentive that you’ll feel extra special throughout the experience.
You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but this is what I’d suggest:
Start off with the house-made Parker House rolls served with whipped butter made with honey sourced straight from the resort’s own hives. For the appetizers, lobster salad with truffle-soy vinaigrette, tuna-coconut ceviche, and the Katsu sandwich which is a truly decadent combination of wagyu striploin, lobster and shrimp on toast with Tonkatsu sauce and Osetra caviar.
Treat yourself to the Wagyu filet and get the potato gratin Vidalia onion as a side. It’s just as delicious as it sounds. End on a sweet note with a slice of Basque cheesecake.
The craft cocktail list is worth taking a look at, with signature drinks that never go out of style and several creative seasonal libations.
The Butcher’s Club is open for dinner daily from 5-10 pm. Make a reservation.
Honeybelle
This seasonal American restaurant has southern inspiration, thanks to Top Chef alumni and three-time James Beard Foundation award nominee Lindsay Autry. Honeybelle is known for highlighting Florida’s freshest ingredients in a casual, light and airy atmosphere just footsteps from the resort pool.
The menu is filled with lots of fresh and seasonal options, like the burrata with heirloom tomatoes and fried green tomatoes, and the blackened fresh catch tacos. The signature fried chicken is a must: pickle-brined organic chicken thighs served with hot honey meant to be drizzled over top, bread and butter pickles, and a green tomato slaw.
The wood-fired pizzas are also popular, and gluten-free crust is available. I’m a sucker for a classic turkey club sandwich. This one was extra good, though. It’s served on brioche with dijonnaise, white cheddar, lettuce, tomato and crispy bacon.
Wash it all down with a refreshing cocktail and if you’re still hungry, try the Honeybelle pie made with Florida citrus curd, tangerine marmalade and a sea salt and cracker crust.
Honeybelle is open daily from 7 am to 9 pm. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am to 4 pm. Make a reservation.
Birdie’s Diner
Birdie’s Diner brings a fun 1950s twist to the resort dining lineup. It’s everything you would expect from a classic diner, with cozy booths and counter bar seating. This laid-back breakfast and lunch spot overlooks the golf course, with a direct view of the 10th hole and main putting green.
I’m not typically one to crave anything sweet for breakfast, but I couldn’t pass up the fresh baked blueberry muffin. It was the perfect texture and balance of sweetness. I went my usual savory route for my meal though, ordering the build-your-own omelet with spinach, mushroom and Swiss cheese. Crispy potatoes and sourdough toast rounded it out.
The lunch menu offers a variety of salads and sandwiches. There are plenty of options to fuel you up before tee time!
Birdie’s Diner is open daily from 7 am to 4 pm.
Sushi by Boū
If you’re looking for a unique and intimate dinner on the property, Sushi By Boū delivers.
This 1920s-themed sushi lounge is such a vibe. Grab a cocktail and chill on the plush chairs while waiting for your reservation to begin at the 12-seat sushi bar. It’s an omakase, so you’re getting something memorable without committing to a long night out for dinner.
Sushi chefs guide guests through the hour-long experience. It’s fun, interactive, and always delicious. The traditional menu is 12 courses, or you can go ‘Boūgie’ and get 17 courses plus a celebratory Kanpai toast. You can order cocktails and additional bites throughout the evening as well.
Sushi By Boū is open for dinner daily from 5-10 pm, and lunch on Saturday from 12-3 pm. Make a reservation.
Unwind at the Spa and Waters of the World
No stay at PGA National Resort is complete without a visit to the spa. The 40,000 square-foot facility is impressive. You’ll have no problem letting yourself unwind in the serene relaxation room before experiencing a service. The treatments are so much more than simply a facial or massage; every description reads very luxurious. It’s all in the details here.
Following your pampering session, the Waters of the World pool area gives tranquil, tropical feels. Bask in the jacuzzi or the heated pool, and don’t leave without giving your body an extra treat from mineral-rich International waters said to have powerful benefits. One pool has water from the Dead Sea in Israel, and the other is sourced from the ancient thermal waters of Salies-de-Béarn in France.
The spa at PGA National Resort is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 9:30 am to 6 pm and Friday through Sunday from 8:30 am to 6 pm. Book an appointment.
Tee Time at the Home of the Cognizant Classic
Golf is a huge part of the identity at PGA National Resort. The resort has been home to The Cognizant Classic every February since 2007. This tournament brings the world’s leading PGA TOUR players to one of the resort’s five championship courses, The Champion Course, known for its challenging “Bear Trap” stretch.
Even if you’re not a serious golfer, you can still feel the energy around it. Roger and I don’t play golf, but since we were staying at one of the top golf schools in Florida, we figured there is no better place to take a lesson! While neither of us plan to take up the sport, we had a lot of fun and it was something different to do and a very appropriate activity to round out our overall experience at the resort.
One-hour clinics are offered daily at 8 am, and on Saturdays at 8am and 1pm. Private lessons are also available, as well classes through the PGA National Golf Academy.
Book Your Palm Beach Vacation Plans
PGA National has everything you need for the perfect vacation: internationally renowned golf courses, top-chef-led restaurants, luxurious spa treatments, zero-entry pool with private cabanas, and so much more.
Make sure to check out the calendar when planning your stay to see the current happenings. There are pickleball clinics and honeybee experiences offered daily, and special events planned throughout the year.
If you’re traveling from out of state, Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is only about a 20-25 minute drive. Those traveling from certain areas of Florida can opt for the Brightline into West Palm Beach, about 20 minutes south of the resort.
If you’re planning a visit to the Palm Beaches, consider this a sign to book your stay at PGA National Resort and experience it for yourself.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by PGA National Resort.
Click here if you’re looking for other weekend getaway ideas in Florida, or check out these restaurants in Delray Beach and what’s going on in Downtown Boca.
FAQs
Various packages are available depending on the time of year you’re planning to stay at the resort. You can check all current offers for Palm Beach packages here.
Dogs and service dogs are both allowed. Guests who want to bring along their furbabies must pay a $150 non-refundable fee. Note that there are specific size restrictions your dog must meet, and they cannot be left alone in your room.
No. Overnight self parking is $22 per night, per reservation. Valet is $46 per night, per reservation.
