Last Updated on June 16, 2024 by Marybeth
You know why we fiercely champion non-chain hotels, right? Our mission all along has been to stay, dine, drink, and shop at small businesses. The big guys don’t need our dollars, our input, or my long-form articles raving about how cool and unique they are. (Because to be honest, they often are neither of those.)
Small boutique hotels, bungalow-style clusters of charming old-Florida structures, updated Inns, and vintage Airbnbs to while away our vacation days: these are the places that make our hearts sing and our admiration soar – to the point where we sometimes think we should buy a compound of cottages, fix them up, and be INNKEEPERS. The next second we say “Nah!” because we see up close how much work it takes. These small business owners bust their souls to host us and you fellow travelers. And for that reason, we will continue to only stay with them and never in chain hotel.
You may be calling me out right now, and you would be 100% right. Never is a misnomer here. Who never stays in a chain? Sometimes you must, and we have – one time for our nephew’s wedding in a gorgeous chichi town where their elegant resort hotel of choice was full, and all the others cost a ton. We had a wonderful stay at a – get this: RED ROOF INN. Chichi runneth over into the chains in that town.
And we have stopped on long trips at safe and clean chain hotels just to rest our heads before heading out first thing the next day. Thank you, chain hotels, for that option.
This one time! A dear friend from eons ago (we went to kindergarten together) invited me to stay at a luxurious oceanfront hotel where she could get points. (Okay, yes, points do sound like a good reason to stay chain.) Should I have refused? Perhaps. Full transparency: I didn’t hesitate for one second.
We sleuthed around on the internet to narrow our chain / points resorts down to five. The winner was the Opal Grand Resort & Spa in Delray Beach.
And here’s what happened: I loved it. I loved the entire experience of being a luxury hotel guest. I pretended, for two nights, to be part of this new hashtag my friend and I have invented: #OpalPeople.
The Opal Grand Resort is across the street from the ocean (few properties in Delray Beach are directly on the beach) with beautiful, unobstructed views of the ocean. When we arrived before check-in time, our room wasn’t quite ready. It had been cleaned, but not yet inspected, we were told. That inspection took almost two hours, wow! I wouldn’t want the job of Room Inspector: what high standards they must set for themselves. Makes me tired to even contemplate.
We were happy to spend that time lounging poolside, after a delicious lunch at the pool bar. Here is where the #OpalPeople idea began. Everyone but us was wearing this really cool-looking teal bracelet that from afar looked like an Apple Watch! Why didn’t we have one of those?
You’ve probably guessed, and maybe you know first-hand (you hotel chain stayer, you) it was our ROOM KEY. Genius idea! You don’t have to scramble around searching for your key each time you leave the room, you just wear it the entire time and have everyone in town wondering what that cool teal bracelet signifies! And can I tell you how much we loved them / how dorky we are? We wore our bracelets for days after. We might still be wearing them… (Holly? Are you?)
#OpalPeople drifted around the pool in groups, talking loudly about trips to Europe, Asia, and the Netherlands. Upcoming destination weddings where the dress code listed a certain designer-style type long dresses, with four color choices, and heels for all the women guests. And these conversations were among the gorgeous 20-somethings (they can afford trips like those?) with their enviably flawless skin and minute bikini bottoms. I couldn’t stop looking at their chic sunglasses and pointy manicures. I have to admit I felt a little grandmother-ish in my bright turquoise Venus tankini, surrounded by trendy pool attire, mostly black. But I am a grandmother, I often remind myself when feeling spry and not-yet-forty, and then I get a glimpse in a mirror.
The rest of the population seemed to be closer to our age, and older. Hard to tell though… everyone was so well-preserved. If you know what I mean. Good for them! I sometimes wish injectables were in my budget, but I’d rather spend time and money on traveling to the hidden gems we’ve been telling you about for over ten years.
Except for this ONE time!
Here is what else I loved about staying at the Opal Grand Resort:
The high level of hospitality
From the chatty, hilariously flattering car valet (“Look at those beautiful smiles, you young things!”) to the front desk staff, to the servers in the restaurants, everyone was so cheerful, patient, and gracious. Our luggage (we brought a ton, you just never know what you’ll need) was whisked onto a trolley thing and stored while we floated around in the pool, then immediately brought up to our room when we entered (teal bracelets employed!)
The opulent, well-designed public spaces
Gorgeous lobby – where a mother-daughter photo shoot was happening one afternoon, how cool! All these little angels in princess dresses and their moms pulling up in Range Rovers and BMWs. So fun to see. We would have tested out the rattan swings, drinks in hand, if we’d had time. But the bars, restaurants, and the beach were calling.
The plethora of dining and drinking choices in the hotel
The location, right in vibrant downtown Delray Beach
We were right there, able to walk to all the upscale, and low key, shops and restaurants. Downtown Delray Beach, and the Pineapple Grove Arts District has such an upbeat, celebratory vibe that is contagious: you can’t be in a bad mood on vacation here!
Here is what I didn’t love about staying at the Opal Grand Resort:
Resort fees
Yes yes, someone has to pay for all the amenities that take up space, like the big parking lot. And the employees who make each encounter seamless certainly deserve good wages. They work extra hard to make us feel that bringing way too much luggage is just fine. I’m used to the small boutique hotels which – most of them – are able to offer free parking. (Understandably, in popular small towns where parking is extremely limited, like Key West, even the locally owned properties must charge for parking.)
Pool towels were many, and complimentary, which was great. No beach chairs or umbrellas on hand for our use, but renting them on the beach was easy and not expensive. (At the time of publication, two lounge chairs and an umbrella cost $16/hour.)
No complimentary breakfast
I packed PB & J sandwiches for myself, as I don’t enjoy buying every single meal out. And I get how challenging it would be to offer a lobby breakfast for such a large hotel. Still. I missed our usual complimentary breakfasts we have come to look forward to. Even a muffin with orange juice is appreciated.
The Beach Market Café does offer many options for breakfast.
I have no complaints about our room. The view was spectacular. The room was very pretty, the bathroom spacious and spa-like, and everything was updated (music to my ears) though the design was somewhat unimaginative. Again, I’ve been spoiled by small accommodations where the creative owners have an elevated sense of design, and each room has its own character.
Would I stay at the Opal Grand Resort again? Is it horrible if I say yes I would? Under certain circumstances… of course I would. But I most likely won’t. This was a remarkable, rare opportunity to spend time with one of my most humorous friends, with whom I always end up laughing so hard I can’t breathe. We mostly find ourselves to be the best objects of our hilarity.
Look around Delray Beach. You’re going to want to plan a trip here!
In the meantime we’ll continue to bring you great content and ideas for places to stay under the tourist radar all around Florida.
Check out the new TV series we’re collaborating on with Discover Florida Channel! Beaches, Bars, and Bungalows. Find your next Florida getaway there, or here on our blog. Stay tuned!
Have you been to Delray Beach? Where did you stay?
Delray Beach is located on Florida’s east coast, 20 miles south of West Palm Beach, and 28 miles north of Fort Lauderdale.
