Florida Keys Archives - Opal Collection

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

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6 Top Holiday Cocktails You’ll Want to Sip in 2024

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

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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

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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

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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

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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 father and daughter play in the gin-clear waters of Jupiter, Florida.

6 Best Crystal-Clear Water Beaches in Florida that Rival the Caribbean

You don’t need a passport to frolic in the blue waves identical to what you’d find in everyone’s favorite tropical sea. You just need these favorite Florida beaches. Read More

A couple smiles with their luggage in Florida.

Your (Non-Stop) Ticket to Paradise: Direct Flights to Florida

Dreaming of a Florida getaway, but dread the layovers that often come with getting there? Think of this as your cheat sheet to top Florida destinations with daily non-stop flights from major US cities. Read More

A scenic view of a beach from a high vantage point, showing palm trees lining a crowded beach access with people. The ocean is calm, with a boat speeding by and lush greenery surrounding the area.

Best Vacation Destinations in Florida

The quest for the best Florida vacation destinations is a common inquiry – and deeply researched topic – among our guests. So we did the legwork to deliver these curated selections tailored to various travel interests. Read More

An aerial view of the rooftop bar of Elevate at Opal Grand.

Best Rooftop Bars on the Eastern Seaboard

If you’re looking for rooftop bars along the eastern coast of the US, we have six worthy waterside picks in Opal destinations, from Bar Harbor, Maine, down to Key West, Florida. 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 Mote Marine Lab scientist studies the coral fragments being grown at Reefhouse Resort & Marina.

Mote Marine Laboratory’s Coolest Conservation Projects Across Florida

Mote is more than just an aquarium headquartered in Sarasota, Florida. It’s a world-renowned marine research lab, boasting cutting-edge conservation projects from coral cultivation to blasting and burying red tide cells to amazing aquaculture innovations. Read More

Chef’s Kiss: A Foodie’s Guide to Opal’s Best Bites and Sips

Opal’s culinary masterminds walk us through three of the dining concepts you’ll find at Opal Collection hotels and resorts in the Sunshine State. 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 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 Sarasota/Longboat Key

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