Why Eau Palm Beach Is the Ultimate Blend of Glamour, Wellness & Family-Friendly Luxury

Eau Palm Beach is a standout in the South Florida luxury resort scene — a chic, oceanfront sanctuary that manages to feel both indulgently upscale and warmly welcoming. What sets it apart? For starters, its fascinating evolution: once a Ritz-Carlton, the property was reimagined into a boutique-style resort by its previous owners before being purchased by Larry Ellison, who sought an independent jewel in the area to complement his nearby residence. The result is a place that reflects thoughtful design, elevated amenities and a distinctly Palm Beach sense of glamour — without ever feeling overdone. My visit over Easter weekend — a festive and high-traffic time — highlighted just how gracefully Eau handles a full house, blending the energy of locals, resort guests and private club members into a seamless, celebratory atmosphere.

Pool cabana

The resort layout includes three towers: the central tower is ideal for families, while the outer towers, closer to the tranquil adult pool and spa, are better suited for couples or those craving a quieter stay. All rooms come with balconies and top-tier amenities (Nespresso machine, separate soaking tubs and showers, daily water replenishment, baby cribs, toiletry kits), but Suite-level accommodations truly shine. Families will love the spacious two-bathroom layouts and the ability to connect rooms; I highly recommend working with the sales department directly to arrange adjacent rooms or tailor setups for multigenerational groups. If you’re after something more exclusive, the Club Level rooms offer lounge access with multiple food presentations daily, a dedicated concierge, house car service into town and a peaceful retreat just for club guests. It’s absolutely worth the upgrade.

Suite

Dining at Eau is a major highlight. The Easter Sunday experience gave us a true taste of all three signature restaurants — Polpo, Angle and a Nobu pop-up. Each delivered a distinct and memorable culinary journey: Polpo served exceptional Italian fare and hosted the included Virtuoso breakfast, Angle impressed with its table-side cocktail cart and elevated steakhouse vibe and the Nobu preview space featured signature dishes alongside local touches and a curated sake tasting. Beyond the restaurants, the firepit area and server-attended lobby lounge created relaxed, atmospheric spaces to gather day or night.

Angle Manhattan Cart

Outside, the amenities are where Eau truly shines. The family-friendly resort pool near Breezes was a hit with its artificial turf (a blessing for toddler tumbles), towel and fruit service and sunny, welcoming energy. The adult-only tranquility pool offered the opposite vibe — calm and serene, with an infinity edge and perfectly heated water. The beach, while scenic, was battling some seaweed from recent storms during our visit — but the beach attendants worked hard to clean it daily and still provided loungers, sand toys and personalized service. The spa is an experience all its own, with an enchanting outdoor garden, self-customizable products and an intention-setting ritual that adds a lovely, spiritual touch to your treatments. There’s also a full gym, secret spa café, a monitored Kids Club and even a Publix just steps away for those last-minute essentials (yes, we stocked up on fruit, milk and wine for a low-key breakfast and nightcap setup in our room!).

Adult Tranquility Pool

Spa Garden

Eau Palm Beach is an ideal choice for just about anyone: families, couples, girlfriend getaways, special occasion travelers, locals and weekenders. The location is unbeatable — only 15 to 20 minutes from PBI — and the resort itself feels like a private, sunny bubble where everything is handled with a smile. Whether you're soaking in the spa garden, enjoying a cocktail crafted tableside, or watching your child play on the turf-lined pool deck, you’ll find yourself relaxing deeper than you expected. Eau exceeded my expectations, and I cannot wait to return.

Kids club

Teen club

Book early, especially around holidays: Eau is a favorite among both locals and out-of-town guests, and holidays like Easter draw large crowds. Rooms, dining reservations and kids club spots fill quickly — reserve early for the best selection, especially if you're traveling with a group or need adjoining rooms.

Club Level is worth it: If you're debating the upgrade, go for it. The lounge access (with four daily food presentations and full bar service), dedicated concierge and complimentary house car to nearby towns like Delray and Palm Beach truly elevate the experience and simplify logistics.

Oceanfront vs. ocean view: The view labels can be misleading. “Oceanfront” doesn’t always mean closest to the ocean, and some “ocean view” rooms actually have better panoramic exposure. Let me help you select the best room based on your priorities.

Balconies need some love: All rooms feature balconies, but the furniture is due for an upgrade and the spaces could use a bit of TLC. Don’t let that deter you — it’s a minor detail in an otherwise luxurious stay.

Beach conditions vary: The beach is lovely, but like much of Florida’s coast, seaweed conditions fluctuate seasonally. During our visit, heavy seaweed from a storm affected the experience. The staff did their best to clear it daily, but guests sensitive to beach aesthetics or smells should take note.

Family-friendly AND adult-friendly: The resort does an excellent job of balancing family fun with adult tranquility. With separate pools, a spa sanctuary and an active Kids Club, couples and parents alike can find their version of a vacation here.

Dining options are impressive: Onsite restaurants cater to all tastes, and the Nobu pop-up is a rare treat. But if you’re looking for a quick snack, drink or kids’ meal alternative, the nearby Publix (just a two-minute walk) is a lifesaver.

Use the valet for bike rentals: Want to explore nearby on two wheels? The valet offers easy bike rentals. It’s a charming way to see more of the coast or ride into town.

Accessibility: Elevators are modern and fast, and solid wood doors keep hallway noise to a minimum. The layout is friendly for strollers and mobility devices alike.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Palm Beach page.