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PGA National Resort is not the kind of place I expected when I signed up to spend a weekend in Palm Beach Gardens. Yes, it’s a golf resort and you will see a lot of men of various ages wearing polo shirts. But the sprawling, midcentury modern property is much more than a place to rest your head between rounds. It’s family-friendly, offering numerous forms of entertainment for kids of all ages. It can also lean toward a wellness retreat, thanks to a luxurious spa with a vast menu of services and amenities. For me, it was a relaxing place to escape the bustle of Miami within a 90-minute drive and an easy one-stop vacation.
What are the rooms like at the PGA National Resort?
I’m instantly drawn to anything midcentury, even more so if it’s in the signature Palm Beach pastel palette—so I loved the look of PGA National Resort. Walking down the tropical, pink-carpeted hallway to our room, a PGA Premium King Suite, I was greeted by furniture and an overall aesthetic I’d welcome in my own home. The king upholstered bed with a contrasting architectural frame was the focal point of the well-appointed room, backed by black-and-white palm-print wallpaper and flanked by olive-colored lacquer nightstands with built-in USB ports and electrical outlets—techy but still very chic.
The sitting area featured a small table with two chairs and a pink felt sectional sofa with a chaise that faces the TV, which you can also watch from bed, although it felt a bit far away for my liking. In place of a closet, the room features two large armoires with ample space for storing luggage and hanging clothing.
The terrazzo-tiled bathroom features a double swinging door that closes the shower one way and separates the toilet from the vanity area the other. The full-length mirror by the door has a narrow ledge for small objects—a genius touch that kept our room keys always handy.
Which are the best restaurants at the PGA National Resort?
You’ll be spoiled for choice with seven different eateries, including the Michelin-recommended Butcher’s Club, helmed by Jeremy Ford, the Top Chef winner behind the Michelin-starred restaurant Stubborn Seed in South Beach. They shake up the perfect dirty martini with blue cheese–stuffed olives and serve a menu of premium steaks and elevated sides.
If a contemporary steakhouse is not your vibe, check out Honeybelle, the Southern-leaning, seasonal American eatery where James Beard-nominated Lindsey Autry doles out unique takes on comfort classics—think fried green tomatoes with burrata and garlicky shrimp toast. The bone-in, pickle-brined fried chicken is the juiciest, crispiest bird I’ve ever tasted. It’s served with green tomato slaw, but we suggest adding the seasonal vegetable ragout and creamy polenta to complement the hearty protein.
Over by the pro shop, Birdie’s is a throwback diner lined with old-school dark seafoam- and caramel-colored booths. The restaurant has an outdoor terrace and overlooks the putting green, making it a popular spot for players before and after a round of golf. Birdie’s is open daily for breakfast and lunch, serving the usual smattering of breakfast classics (pancakes, omelets, egg sandwiches) and casual lunch fare, including salads, sandwiches and a burger—all of which pair well with the wide selection of cocktails, beer and wine.
What is the service like at PGA National Resort?
From the valet attendant to the front desk clerk and poolside servers, everyone I encountered at PGA National was pleasant and helpful. Service at the restaurants was always attentive, even when my toddler repeatedly threw her straw on the floor or went through far too many napkins while enjoying her pasta and red sauce at Honeybelle. We had to wrap up dinner early one night, and our server sent us to our room with a to-go box of cookies. A class act.
What is the spa like at PGA National Resort? What other experiences can you book?
All of the personal care products at the resort are from The Spa at PGA National Resort’s proprietary line, so I couldn’t wait to try the facilities myself. To sum it up: it’s sprawling. The almost maze-like luxury spa offers everything you’d want from a wellness space—massages, facials, a steam room, sauna, whirlpool, relaxation area, showers and a quiet pool for guests looking to wind down before or after treatments. I did the full circuit, including a 60-minute signature massage, followed by a muscle-melting sauna sweat. Beauty treatments are also available should you need a quick manicure, shave or men’s haircut during your stay.
I opted for a more sedentary weekend, lying out by the zero-entry resort pool while my husband played golf on the Palmer Course, named for Arnold Palmer. But I look forward to checking out the tennis and pickleball courts on my next visit, and possibly even checking in my toddler at the Banyan Buddies kids' club when she's old enough.
What’s the area like around PGA National Resort?
The resort is located in Palm Beach Gardens, about 90 minutes north of Miami. While minutes from the Florida Turnpike and a few miles west of I-95, it feels a world away from busy South Florida. You’ll pass a few strip malls on your way to the resort, but once inside, it’s lush, serene and secluded just enough to make you feel like you’ve truly gotten away.
DETAILS
Address: 400 Ave of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
Price per night: Prices start at $269.
Closest transport link: I-95 or the Florida Turnpike to Palm Beach Gardens
Book now: Booking.com
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