Florida Gulf Coast Archives

A holiday-themed cocktail part of Opal's seasonal cocktail program.

FEATURED

6 Top Holiday Cocktails To Ring in 2025

These holiday cocktails – part of Opal’s specialty holiday cocktail program – aren’t just complex symphonies of flavor, they’re liquid works of art. And we’ve got the recipes for you to recreate during your own holiday festivities. Read More

FEATURED

Stone Crab Season in Florida: What to Know & Where to Get It

Beloved for their delicate, sweet meat, Florida stone crabs dominate minds and menus from October to May. Here’s why they’re so sought after and the best places to get your claws on, well, these delicious claws. Read More

FEATURED

5 Digital Detox Retreats Designed for Distancing

We live in a noisy world with so much content vying for our attention. If you’re looking to distance yourself with a digital detox retreat, we have five worthy – and diversly different – picks in Opal destinations. Read More

FEATURED

Best Beaches in Florida: Why Delray Beach Was Voted Number One in 2024

Scenic, natural, and accessible – these are just a few of the reasons Delray Beach was deservedly awarded “Best Beach in Florida” in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Read More

FEATURED

10 Experiences to Level Up Your Next Opal Escape

Opal Collection resorts and hotels are more than just luxurious places to lay your head. From private chef-led culinary events to hands-on outdoor adventures you’ll be raving about for years to come, here’s how our collection can craft and connect you to indelible experiences that discerning travelers covet. Read More

Whether you're planning where to go next or what to do on an already‑booked vacation, discover the travel destinations with Opal

A couple strolls to the edge of the dock at Lake Placid Lodge at sunset.

Romantic Getaways That Will Sweep You off Your Feet

If you’re looking for romantic getaways in the United States, we got five worthy – and diversly different – picks in Opal East Coast destinations, just for the two of you. Read More

A couple dances at an open-air outdoor festival.

Top Festivals & Events to Travel for in January & February

After the hecticness of the holidays, you deserve a much-needed getaway. So why not orient it around a notable festival or event for an added air of excitement? Here’s your curated list, from a month-long wine celebration in New England to a four-day side-splitting comedy fest on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Read More

Fairgrounds St. Pete, The Ringling Museum of Art, and Sea Love candle-making boutique

Fun Things to Do on a Rainy Day Across Opal Destinations

As beautiful as the weather is across Opal destinations, rain ultimately happens. That said, you don’t have to let the drops that descend put a damper on your vacation. We highlight top rainy-day activities to dive into. Read More

A beach scene with gentle waves under a cloudy sky. Blue beach umbrellas and chairs are arranged on the sand. Lush greenery and swaying palm trees line the pathway to the shore, creating a tropical ambiance.

Morning Glory: 12 Best Ways To Start Your Day

Start your day off right, and the rest of it will fall into place. Luckily, Opal hotels boast a myriad of top-notch early-morning experiences sure to get you out your hotel room quickly. From standout breakfasts to scenic yoga sessions, here are the best things to do before the clock strikes 12 (p.m.). Read More

10 Ways To Experience Opal Destinations Through Your Kids

Travel can be an eye-opening experience for the little ones – but also, for the grown-ups. Tap into your childlike sense of wonder with these fun-for-all-ages activities, and learn to see them through the eyes of your kiddos. Read More

A split image: on the left, seagulls soar against a clear blue sky; on the right, a long stone pier leads to a white lighthouse with a forested hill in the background. It's an inspiring view reminiscent of what hotel GMs envision when crafting perfect guest experiences.

3 Opal GMs on Their Favorite Opal Destinations to Vacay

Ever wonder where hotel managers go on vacation when it’s finally time for their own getaway? Well, if you’re a General Manager at Opal, the answer is usually another Opal destination! But which ones? Here, our GMs spill the tea on the Opal destinations they like enough to be a guest of. Read More

7 Winter Hikes in Sun and Snow

Winter doesn’t mean an end to hiking season. In Florida, the Adirondacks, and Maine, it’s an ideal time to take to the trails. Bald Mountain [Camden, ME] Located just a 20-minute drive from downtown Camden, this is the ideal introductory winter hike. The wide, gradual path to the top… Read More

A glass of rosé sits on a white table next to travel brochures by a pool. In the background, a sunny day illuminates a scenic landscape with a hammock under a tree overlooking a fence and a calm body of water.

Your Travel Love Language: 5 Opal Experiences to Fall For

What's your love language? Words of affirmation? Quality time? The gift of travel, perhaps? This Valentine’s Day, be ours and find your perfect Opal experience match to book for you and your boo. Here we highlight 5 retreats across Opal from romantic to adventurous to pair with each of the 5 different love languages. Read More

A readers' choice collage of four captivating images: a couple strolling among palm trees, an aerial view of a resort showcasing lush green lawns, a woman relaxing in a clawfoot tub set within a wooden-paneled room, and an enchanting beachfront featuring pristine white sand and elegant buildings.

Condé Nast–Confirmed: 12 Opal Properties Recognized in 2021’s Readers’ Choice Awards

The people have spoken. Twelve Opal Collection properties were awarded Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards. So what’s all the fuss about? Read More

A couple sits on a porch with ocean views, savoring coffee and pastries on a white table. The scene is bright and relaxed, marked by palm trees and the ocean in the background, creating a tropical ambiance—perfect for reflecting on life's milestones.

5 Ways to Reclaim Your Postponed Vacations

Postponed doesn’t have to mean canceled. Whether it was an annual holiday celebration the whole family was excited for or a big anniversary you had hoped to spend on white-sand beaches, it’s due time to cash in your rain-checks and cancelations for check-in confirmations. Here are five fabulous… Read More

Blog articles from Lake Placid

FEATURED

FEATURED

FEATURED

FEATURED

FEATURED

Sign up for news & updates from the Opal Collection