Luxury in Palm Beach

The Breakers, Luxury Hotel & Golf Course, Palm Beach, Florida Photo © Christine Collie

When most people think of a luxury holiday in southern Florida, Palm Beach County hotel resorts spring to mind: The Breakers, The Ritz Carlton or The Colony.

And while it's true these hotels are known for refined accommodation, they also offer a dizzying range of additional services for a price, such as spa treatments, private cabanas on a private beach, attentive concierge service and a choice of onsite restaurants and lounges.

But if your idea of luxury includes space defined in square footage, then the price of your luxury Florida holiday can zoom from a standard 250 sq. ft. Superior Room at the Breakers at $389 (winter season) to $3,320. for their 1,250 sq. ft. 1-bedroom Royal Poinciana Suite.

If that seems a bit too rich for your budget especially in the current global economy, a different - and surprisingly affordable - luxury alternative can be found just across the bridge from Palm Beach proper, in a quaint historic district in downtown West Palm Beach called Grandview Heights.

Casa Grandview Luxury Resort Vacation Rentals Master Bedroom in Bahamas Breeze 2+ bedroom Photo © Christine Collie

Casa Grandview offers lovingly restored, historic bungalow cottages and five spacious art-deco suites with a range of high-season prices (Dec.2-Apr.27) from $200 for a 530 sq. ft suite with 1-bedroom, separate living room, a fully equipped kitchen and large walk-in closet to $325./night for their Bahamas Breeze, a charming 1,300 sq. ft. 2+ bedroom detached historic bungalow with a living room, separate dining room, private outdoor terrace, a fully equipped kitchen with full-size top end appliances and a separate laundry room with full-size washer and dryer.

By comparison, all suites at The Breakers are one-bedroom suites, a few of which can have an adjoining room added to create a 2-bedroom suite. The 1,250 sq. ft Royal Poinciana 1-bedroon suite costs $3,320./night in high season (Nov.25 to May 4) and has the option of adding an adjoining bedroom for an additional $950./night. Parking is $30/day at The Breakers; the Casa Grandview provides free parking.