Florida State of Mind

With The Club’s numerous residences in four Florida locales, take your pick of culture and community. Here’s your Florida travel guide, including a beachfront hotel in South Beach, top things to do in Islamorada and Naples, and the best beaches along the Emerald Coast.   

MIAMI

Why Go Now: When the temperature starts to dip ever so slightly, Miami’s cultural calendar kicks into high gear with food festivals, museum exhibitions, dance performances, and of course, the famed Art Basel Miami Beach. 

Where to Stay: Located in the hip Collins Park neighborhood of South Beach, the famous 1 Hotel South Beach is home to three luxury suites by Exclusive Resorts. The three-bedroom, eco-friendly residences are the work of celebrated Brazilian designer Debora Aguiar, featuring light and airy nature-inspired interiors, oversized windows, private balconies, and ocean views. VIP amenities include four pools, a fitness center, a kids' club, and an award-winning spa.

Best Eats: With eight amazing dining spots within the resort’s property, you could easily never leave. The buzziest on-site restaurant is Aviv, opening this fall by five-time James Beard Award winning chef Michael Solomonov with a menu that blends traditional Tel Aviv cooking with modern Miami techniques. The rooftop Watr restaurant features locally caught sushi and poke, while Plnthouse is a go-to for plant-based cuisine. If noshing on Mediterranean-inspired small dishes while lounging on sprawling daybeds is more your vibe, head to the oceanfront Tala Beach. Once you’re ready to venture off resort, book a table at a Miami hotspot like Prime 112 (upscale steakhouse) or The Surf Club (Club Member Thomas Keller’s classic-meets-chic restaurant.) For low-key meals that are still high on flavor, check out El Palacio de los Jugos (authentic Cuban food) and Joe’s Stone Crab (a Miami institution that’s worth the line).

Insider's Guide: It’s about time Michelin admitted what so many of us have known for years: Miami is a foodie force to be reckoned with. Check out The Club's Michelin-approved Miami hot spots with our journal — Miami Makes Its Michelin Mark.

Don’t Miss: The Miami Spice event is a local’s favorite, offering curated menus by famed restaurants at a fraction of their usual cost. The outdoor Wynwood Walls is a living canvas of street art that evolves with every season, while dance aficionados should be sure to catch a show at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. If you’re here in December, don’t miss Art Basel Miami Beach, which transforms the city into a global hub for contemporary art lovers.

THE EMERALD COAST

Why Go Now: Unique restaurants, chic boutiques, and cultural attractions line the coastal Highway 30A — one of the most scenic drives in the country. Situated on Florida’s upper Gulf Coast — also known as the Emerald Coast — this resort area is famous for white-sand beaches, a family-friendly feel, walkable scale, New Urbanism planning and architecture, Southern hospitality, and activities like bicycling, kayaking and fishing.  

Where to Stay: Vacation like a local at The Club’s Rosemary Beach and Watercolor residences: 4- and 5-bedroom coastal-beach-style homes with gulf breezes, wide porches, and pools. Your charming coastal cottage at Rosemary Beach is steps from the beach and right off the boardwalk, and you are just a walk or bike ride away to local restaurants, bars, shopping, and numerous state parks. At nearby Watercolor, The Club’s 5- and 6-bedroom Southern-style cottages provide easy access to 30A’s world-class beaches, shopping, and exceptional cuisine.

Best Eats: With one-of-a-kind eateries, (no chain restaurants here), Airstream food trucks, and fresh-from-the-Gulf seafood, the foodie scene is a mix of Caribbean, Mexican, and Southern flavors. Cowgirl Kitchen serves Mexican-themed dishes, while the vibe at Havana Beach Bar & Grill is inspired by El Floridita — Ernest Hemingway’s favorite haunt in Havana. Summer Kitchen Café began as a tiny food shack in 1999, and still maintains its local cred with crave-worthy fare like smoothies, omelets, smoked tuna dip, burgers, crab cakes, pan-fried grouper, and mimosas. Indulge your sweet tooth at The Sugar Shak, a candy store meets ice cream parlor with fresh cotton candy, oversized lollipops, sundaes, and banana splits.

Don’t Miss: Whether on foot or bicycle, it’s easy to explore Rosemary Beach from your Club headquarters. The 107-acre Gulf-front town was designed to be accessible, community-oriented, and active, with plenty of green spaces and pocket parks. Take a stroll on the beach, rent a kayak, go fishing, or book one of the dolphin boat tours. Cyclists love the 18.5-mile Timpoochee Trail, which parallels Highway 30A and is known for incredible Gulf views and relatively flat topography. Another dreamy spot is the aptly named Eden Gardens Park, where you can explore the historic Wesley House, one of the first homes in the Panhandle, circa 1897.

NAPLES  

Why Go Now: Unwind and recharge in the beachside town of Naples during a long weekend with the entire family. Revel in family time, wander the quaint streets of boutiques and art galleries, and enjoy everything within a mere ten minute golf cart ride away.  

Where to Stay: Just seven blocks from the pristine shores of Old Naples, our luxury residences offer the ideal beachside retreat. These spacious three- and four-bedroom homes feature open-air living spaces, private pools, and breezy verandas, perfect for soaking in the Florida sun. Members can stroll to vibrant 5th Avenue South for dining at local favorites like Hob Nob, Pazzo!, and Bistro 821, or explore the stylish boutiques and art galleries of 3rd Street South. The Naples Pier, yacht club, and marina are also nearby, providing easy access to water sports and sunset cruises.

Best Eats: Start your day at Jane’s Café on 3rd. Their extensive menu serves breakfast all day, including a long list of breakfast sandwiches to choose from and a variety of egg scramblers. Refuel after a family beach day at The Bowl, serving organic acai and pitaya bowls plus smoothies topped with fresh fruits and homemade granola. Campiello is a favorite for dinner — a modern Italian restaurant inspired by traditional Tuscan country cooking. Dine while enjoying live music at Tommy Bahama, known for fresh ahi tuna tacos, coconut shrimp, and piña colada cake.

Don’t Miss: Fall brings the Naples International Film Festival, a cultural highlight featuring international films and engaging discussions. Cruise the warm Gulf waters off of Naples with a full-day yacht charter from Naples Yacht Charters. A variety of fully crewed yachts are prepared to cater to your every whim while sailing along the beautiful Florida coastline. Stroll and shop along the chic boutiques and art galleries of 3rd Street South, while the 170-acre Naples Botanical Garden is also a must-visit. Lastly, the Naples Pier is ideal for a fall stroll, with views of the Gulf and playful dolphins.

ISLAMORADA

Why Go Now: Whether you're a seasoned visitor or new to these sun-kissed shores, there's something undeniably captivating about this slice of paradise. As the seasons gently shift, so too do the opportunities for adventure and indulgence. World-class sportfishing, sea-to-table cuisine, romantic coves, and mesmerizing sunsets? It’s all in a day’s play along this string of enchanting islands. 

Where to Stay: Four-bedroom Club residences — situated on a private beach — offer easy access to adventurous pursuits. Nestled along 600 feet of private coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, community amenities include two pools, a fitness center, pickleball and beach volleyball, a private beach, and a residents-only marina with boat slips. Whitewashed exteriors are set against a kaleidoscope of turquoise and deep-green sea.

Best Eats: Hogfish, Florida grouper, and shrimp and grits? These Keys-centric dishes celebrate the best of Islamorada and should top the list of any traveling foodie. Visit Mangrove Mike’s for breakfast, where your eggs benny overlooks framed photos of revelers displaying their record-breaking catch. Fish tacos at The Morada Bay Beach Café & Bar is another necessity. Both the The Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar and Marker 88 (reserve one of the cozy, bayfront cabana tables) stage live music, and lastly, don’t miss the deliciously seasoned peel-and-eat shrimp at the Shrimp Shack or the decadent hogfish at the upscale Chef Michael’s. After a day spent at sea, unwind with a flight of local microbrews at the colorful, reggae inspired Islamorada Beer Company. Catch a Full Moon Party at Pierre’s Restaurant and Morada Bay, where you can dine on fresh seafood while dancing under the stars to live music — a quintessential autumn experience in Islamorada.  

Don’t Miss: Hook a marlin, scuba dive, snorkel, or stay above water on sandy beaches. Charter a boat to dive deeper into the obsession of sportfishing; local captains ferry visitors out to sea to test their mettle against tarpon, snook, mahi mahi, and the elusive permit. The famous Alligator Reef Lighthouse is named after the USS Alligator that ran aground, and the 148-year-old structure is located just four nautical miles offshore and is home to more than 500 species of marine life and pirate shipwrecks. Any visit to Islamorada must also include a boat ride to its famous sandbar, situated less than a mile offshore around Mile Marker 84 on the Atlantic Ocean side. Most weekends, boats of all shapes and sizes pepper the small stretch of sand to party, fish, and soak up the sun. As the biggest beach in Islamorada, Founders Park Beach is headquarters for family outings. For a more serene experiential escape, float away on a private kayak tour around Bird Island, pack a picnic and head to Anne’s Beach.

NEW!

The Life Aquatic: South Florida on a Private Yacht  

Spend a festive long weekend aboard an exclusive yacht charter in South Florida — the ultimate way to savor the state’s scenic coastline. You’ll start in Fort Lauderdale with a warm welcome and delicious lunch as you cruise the iconic Intracoastal Waterway. Then it’s off to serene sandbars for water activities, sun-drenched days spent on Miami Beach, plus dining at top restaurants. By day, lounge in the sun and explore hidden coves and treasured waterways. And as evening nears, you’ll view spectacular sunsets, explore vibrant South Florida culture, relax over elegant dinners, and discover experiencing Miami’s famous nightlife. The trip ends in Fort Lauderdale, or you can cruise North to Palm Beach, with stops at upscale waterfront spots, pristine beaches, and exclusive marinas. Bon voyage!