Florida beckons with radiant waters and white sands from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Let’s not forget the theme parks, including Disney and Universal in Orlando. Dispel the notion that winter is just snowstorms and frost, and rejuvenate with a luxurious tropical getaway in the sunshine state.
The best luxury hotels in Florida feature infinity pools with private cabanas, award-winning golf courses, island delights, and club lounges. The best club lounges tend to be found in the Ritz-Carlton brand of hotel and we have already detailed the best executive club lounges in Naples, Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa. In addition, we have investigated the best luxury hotels in Palm Beach (Hint: It’s the Four Seasons!).
I have compiled a list below containing the club lounges available across luxury hotels in Florida. I list the lounges that I consider to be the best. I will be reviewing each of these hotel club lounges in detail so that you know what you’ll get if you book a room with club lounge access or get upgraded to a club lounge for free because of your loyalty status.
If you want free access to club lounges in the US & Canada, Gold, Platinum & Platinum Premier Marriott Bonvoy, elites will receive executive lounge access throughout their stay at Marriott hotels. This excludes Ritz-Carlton resorts. Gold, Platinum & Platinum Premier Marriott Bonvoy elites do not get free access to the Ritz club lounge. Everyone has to pay to enter a Ritz-Carlton club lounge. If there is no lounge at a JW Marriott, Autograph Collection, Renaissance, Marriott, or Delta Hotel, Gold, Platinum & Platinum Premier elites will receive continental breakfast daily internationally.
1. Ritz-Carlton Naples Beach Resort
Both Ritz-Carlton’s in Naples are excellent, and both have club lounges. The Ritz-Carlton Naples Golf Resort is ten minutes away by car or resort shuttle from The Ritz-Carlton Naples Beach. Ritz-Carlton Naples Beach Resort probably has the best club lounge of all.
The Ritz-Carlton Naples Beach is an impressive five-star with soaring floor-to-ceiling windows and chandeliers. It is ideal for families, weddings (there is a marvelous Vanderbilt Ballroom), and conventions.
Pros of the Ritz-Carlton Naples Beach Resort include:
- Stunning Gulf of Mexico views from your room
- Gorgeous beach reached by a wooden walkway
- Super pool with water slides for the kids
- Excellent spa and fitness center with its many exercise classes
- Drop-off, supervised kids’ club for those aged 5 through 12 years & children’s scavenger hunt. Excellent activities are included in half and full-day sessions. Animal education with real-life animals, along with snacks and crafts to take home, are all included
- For teens, there is a video game room at the Beach Resort
- Beautiful sunsets
The Ritz-Carlton Naples Beach Resort club lounge feels intimate and cozy compared to other resorts in Florida, such as the Ritz-Carlton Orlando. The lounge’s sunset views are a major selling point and mean you don’t have to head down to the beach to enjoy the stunning sunset.
This club lounge offers five meals daily and an excellent breakfast with three hot stations with bacon, scrambled eggs, and pieces of French toast or pancakes. There’s also a cold breakfast buffet of smoked salmon, charcuterie, fruits and yogurt, muffins, croissants, bread, and gluten-free options. A Nespresso machine can be used for coffee.
At lunch, there’s bread, deli meat, and sliced cheese to make sandwiches, wraps, small sandwiches, chicken, and salad.
The club lounge champagne is Pommery and is available in Brut and Rose throughout the day, as are soft drinks and cookies (5 different types). There are sunset views from the lounge if you don’t want to go to the beach.
In the evening, there are hor oeuvres and chef-prepared dishes.
2. Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Miami
The Ritz-Carlton South Beach is an oceanfront luxury hotel inside a historic property designed by Morris Lapidus in the heart of the Art Deco District. It features a wonderful swimming pool, a stunning art collection, a modern spa, and an excellent Spanish restaurant, Tatel.
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach club lounge is located on the 10th floor and is reserved for Ritz-Carlton Club Level guests, only those staying in rooms on the ninth and 10th floors. The renovation in around 2017 reimagined the space to create more of a social, lobby-lounge feel, encouraging interactive experiences with guests.
There are five daily food presentations featuring select dishes off the menu of Bistro One LR, the hotel’s flagship restaurant, and biweekly cooking demonstrations from chef du cuisine Luis Quant and pastry chef John Martinez.
A mixologist prepares seasonal cocktails for guests at a weekly Cocktail Action Station. Other events, such as trunk shows, Espa product presentations, and wine and Champagne tastings from select vineyards, are also included if you have club lounge access.
3. Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne
Just 9 miles/ 14 km from the main Miami airport, this tropical island oasis is set on the eastern shore of a unique island that offers guests a tranquil haven, surrounded by golden sands (if thin and seaweedy – see below), gentle waters, and towering palms. With a décor inspired by West Indies Colonial design, the 12-acre oceanfront resort captures the beauty of its waterfront setting with floor-to-ceiling lobby windows that offer the first dramatic glimpse of palm gardens and the Atlantic Ocean.
450 guest rooms, including 37 suites, 64 Ritz-Carlton Club level rooms, and suites, each overlooking either the water or gardens. All guestrooms and suites welcome guests with feather beds and down comforters, Frette linens, and comfortable, Caribbean-inspired furnishings.
This hotel is not in central Miami and is instead 20-30 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Miami Beach. The beach here is somewhat disappointing, narrow, and full of seaweed, and golfing options are limited, too.
The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne club lounge gets excellent reviews and offers food presentations daily, breakfast, lunch, mid-day snacks, and fine selections of wines, liqueurs, beers, and non-alcoholic beverages. There is complimentary wireless in-room Internet access for Club guests along with the pressing of two garments pressed daily.
This exclusive lounge is on the 9th floor and features endless beverage and culinary offerings throughout the day, coupled with the finest personal service. Views from the lounge and adjacent Club Level guest rooms boast stunning panoramas of Key Biscayne and Biscayne Bay.
We highly recommend booking a room on the Club floor. It will almost undoubtedly work out cheaper than booking a standard room as you have all your meals catered for, for free, and the food in the lounge is excellent. A full breakfast buffet is served daily. Sandwiches are provided for lunch, and heavy hors-d’oeuvres for the early evening (lobster, crab, and other delicious offerings). You may choose to eat all your meals there and will certainly use the lounge for breakfast and snacks and, of course, alcoholic drinks, which are available 24/7. You can choose from wine, Champagne, beer, spirits, and a selection of non-alcoholic beverages available throughout the day.
Kids are welcome here. The lounge has a dedicated kids’ room, fully stocked with classic board games, TV entertainment, puzzles, and more. Along with glass candy, jars are filled with various delectable delights, like the Executive Pastry Chef’s delicious cookies.
4. Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
This hotel has the best club lounge for the theme parks of Disney, Universal, and Sea World. While on-site hotels at both parks have club lounges, none is better than the club lounge at this Ritz-Carlton.
The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Orlando is a great luxury hotel choice. It is located in the Grande Lakes part of the city, within a short free shuttle ride to Disney and Universal (included with the resort fee of $35 USD per day). The resort fee also includes Wi-Fi, phone calls, the driving range, some kids’ activities, access to and floaties at the JW Marriott lazy river, and shuttle transport to Disney and SeaWorld (reservation required at least 24 hours in advance), and a one-hour bike rental.
The hotel is next door to the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Orlando Airport (MCO), and parking fees are around $40 USD per night if you have driven to the hotel.
I would choose this hotel because it offers luxury near the theme parks and an excellent club lounge. It also has three wonderful pools, a Ritz-Carlton Spa, a Greg Norman-designed golf course, and 11 dining options. You can also use the lazy river next door at the JW Marriott, which kids and the young at heart will love. The Ritz-Carlton Spa is also not to be missed, with its 40 treatment rooms, salon, private heated lap pool, and healthy spa café.
Of note, the JW Marriott does not have a club lounge. Hence, you do better booking into a Club Room at the Ritz-Carlton and then taking advantage of the magnificent lazy river at the JW Marriott during your stay whilst retaining access to the RC club lounge.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is ideal for families, providing convenient access to nearby Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios attractions; plus, the Ritz Kids program is a favorite, and special excursions like kayaking, fishing instruction, and eco-tours allow for adventures while remaining in this 500-acre resort.
The highlight for me here is the pool, both here and next door at the JW Marriott, with its lazy river and the incredible views of the resort holiday fireworks from the club lounge balcony.
The club lounge is on the 14th floor and is classic in design, with orange and cream tones, mainly soft orange furnishings and creamy marbles. The long, thin room is shuttered to one side with windows. The buffet here is delicious and filling, with five food presentations per day.
5. Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island
This Ritz-Carlton is completely different. Nestled on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic, The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island is a haven of unspoiled coastal beauty and Southern charm. Whether you prefer to try an 18-hole championship golf course, wiggle your toes in the sand, or enjoy the warmth of a beachside fire, this Ritz-Carlton is the perfect hideaway.
There is a mass of history on this island, from Fort Clinch State Park (10 minutes away) featuring swimming, fishing, and boating as well as tours of a historic pre-Civil War fort, The Amelia Island Museum of History (10 minutes away), presenting the complete history of Amelia Island. You can drive to St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city, offering horse-drawn carriage tours, quaint restaurants, and charming boutiques (90 minutes away).
The Club Ocean View Room at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, offers Atlantic Ocean and sunrise views, Club Level access, and accommodations for up to four. The club lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, includes complimentary food presentations daily, a dedicated Concierge, and access to Spa facilities.
6. Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale
The Ritz-Carlton club lounge in Fort Lauderdale is easily the best club lounge in Fort Lauderdale. The hotel itself is located on the oceanfront, with the beach across a two-lane road fronting the hotel. You can reach it via a sky bridge, which will take you directly from the hotel’s 3rd floor to the public beach. The pool is on the hotel’s 7th-floor pool, surrounded by loungers and palms. The rooms aren’t noteworthy but do all have a balcony.
The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge is an ultra-exclusive space that is open to guests at The Ritz-Carlton who book the Club Experience. The lounge is luxurious, with a marble floor and large sofas. The food here is excellent and varies depending on the time of day. It includes fresh fruit, cheese platters, hot hors d’oeuvres, freshly baked cookies, as well as breakfast, lunch, and dinner items.
7. InterContinental Miami
Built around Henry Moore’s famous sculpture, “The Spindle,” the luxury InterContinental Miami hotel lies along Miami’s downtown waterfront and is usually considered the best InterContinental in Miami.
Book a Club InterContinental room and experience luxurious Miami hotel rooms and exclusive Club amenities. These spacious rooms feature modern decor, contemporary in-room amenities, and access to the Club InterContinental Lounge. Located on the 29th floor of the InterContinental Miami hotel, the Club InterContinental Lounge offers a place to enjoy a hot breakfast in the morning and hors d’oeuvres and drinks later in the evening.
Options are a bit limited if you are expecting a full American breakfast. During happy hour, you can enjoy alcoholic cocktails there while taking the excellent views of Miami from floor 29.
There is a rooftop pool at this InterContinental. It sounds nice, but is on the third floor, which means that around noon, the taller buildings surrounding the hotel start blocking the sun. There are about 40 pool chairs available next to the pool, plus a couple of daybeds that need to be booked separately. The on-site Bluewater Café is open until 10:00 pm.
8. Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
Where the ocean meets the marina, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota offers resort amenities that span the charming city. Guests can unlock indulgent experiences uniquely tailored just for them, sparking guests to return to take in the coastal grace from the beach to the city and beyond.
Guests have exclusive access to The Beach Club on the white sands of Lido Key Beach, and there are two pools, one at the hotel and the other at the beach club. The beautiful beach has gorgeous, clean sand and very clear water. Definitely bring masks. There is a free hotel shuttle every hour to the beach. The Golf Club is a Tom Fazio–designed 18-hole course, and The Ritz-Carlton Spa a sanctuary of wellness within the hotel.
The Club Level is a beautiful room with incredible attention and detail. The delicious food and drink offerings include an all-day espresso machine and an amazing breakfast.
Expect oatmeal in a parfait, sticky pecan buns, cereals, cold cuts, smoked salmon, salad and veggies, and hot egg options. Lunch is excellent soup and sandwiches with salads. Evening food includes small appetizers, cheese, veggies, snacks, desserts, etc. Splurge on a club level room. It will make your trip even better!
10. Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa
There are plenty of Hyatt hotels in Florida, including the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, which is located near Fort Myers. This is probably the best Hyatt hotel in Florida.
If you redeem your World of Hyatt points here, you get a pretty good deal when compared to the actual cost in dollars of the hotel and resort. The appeal for families is the 3-acre waterpark with five waterslides, floating the lazy river, taking the boat ride to a private island, rock climbing, and the kids club. There is a quieter and more sedate pool for adults to sunbathe and lounge, along with a zero-entry pool with a toddler-friendly small waterslide.
The boat trip to the private island is also fun. The boat ride is included in your room rate and goes once every hour and takes around 15 minutes to get to the island. You can take a free shuttle to the boat or walk down a boardwalk through the mangroves.
Reach Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in less than half an hour’s drive from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). This airport is served by United, Spirit, Frontier, Southwest, American Airlines, Delta, etc.
The Regency Club lounge in the hotel offers decent evening meals with plates of peeled shrimp and dips, loads of veggies and salad items, pasta, small canapes, cold cuts of meat and cheese, and desserts a little later. You also get free drinks in the evening, including free alcohol, wine, and beer. Guests with Hyatt Globalist status get free entrance to this club lounge.
Breakfast includes muffins, bagels, smoked salmon, pastries, cereal, fresh fruit, orange juice, and sparkling wine.
This lounge is better than your average Hyatt Regency lounge, particularly for food, and the setting of this hotel is phenomenal for a Hyatt vacation in Florida.
Best Marriott Hotels In Florida With Club Lounge
There are plenty of other Marriott Bonvoy properties with club lounges in Florida, too. These all have fairly generic offerings of breakfast and evening snacks. Most of these Marriott lounges don’t serve alcoholic drinks, and most provide you with enough to fill up in the morning but more of a snack in the evening.
These Marriottt Bonvoy hotels with club lounges include the Aventura, Turnberry Isle Miami Autograph Collection Resort, the Boca Raton Renaissance, Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center, Boynton Beach Courtyard (Courtyard are not a luxury option), Ft. Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel, Delray Beach Marriott, Dunedin Fenway Hotel Autograph Collection, Fort Lauderdale Renaissance Cruise Port, Fort Lauderdale Marriott North, Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, Fort Meyers Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa, Hollywood Beach Marriott, Holmes Beach Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club Autograph Collection, Jacksonville Marriott, Lake Mary Orlando Marriott Lake Mary, Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa, Grand Bohemian Orlando Autograph Collection, Orlando Renaissance Airport, Renaissance Orlando at Seaworld, Orlando Marriott Airport, Orlando Marriott World Center Resort, Palm Beach Gardens, Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Plantation, Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa, World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort / Golds & Plats get one free movie; PAG 500pts or $10 USD FB; 12/10/14 update, Casa Monica Autograph Collection, The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club, Marriott Clearwater, Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort & Marina, Hotel Duval Autograph Collection, West Palm Beach Marriott, Sheraton Sand key Resort, Sheraton Ft Lauderdale Airport. There is also a Sheraton in Clearwater, Sheraton Sand Key Resort, with a lounge with a hot and cold spread in the evening with beer, wine, snacks & soft drinks throughout the day.
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