Let’s just get right into it! I didn’t need a guide to Delray Beach because I’m from South Florida. I knew the area, I had picked the hotel, and I had the trip somewhat planned, but called a travel advisor anyway.
Need help planning your trip? Find a MAST advisor near you. MAST Travel advisors are here to help with all your travel plans and needs!
Why Delray
There was no cruise and no packed itinerary. I just wanted a beautiful place to land, somewhere I didn’t have to worry about anything, a short drive from my parent’s house, and a few days away from my routine.
What my advisor did that I couldn’t
I came in knowing I wanted The Seagate. My advisor took it from there. She recommended a room, added a resort credit, walked me through transfer options and checked for deals. The rate she found came in more than $240 lower than the hotel’s direct price for the room I booked.
Because I’m local, I didn’t lean on her destination expertise this time. For a place I don’t know, I absolutely would…every single time because when you travel, you don’t know what you don’t know. Here is what matters most to me: when I take PTO and spend money on an experience, I want it to be the right one. I don’t want to feel like another number in the queue. Booking through an advisor meant I had someone in my corner. I wasn’t just another transaction!
The Seagate: my honest review
The first impression?? It smelled incredible. I found out later that every scent in the hotel, from the lobby to the shower products to the lotion on the bathroom counter, is Le Labo. The blue accents throughout made me feel like I had permission to unplug. The vibe there is elegant and coastal with trendy touches, and it feels homey, not like one of those nice places where you’re afraid to touch anything. With 157 rooms and a recent redesign, it never felt crowded, even with a wedding at the beach club on Saturday night.
The room! My corner room was spacious with a large balcony right on Atlantic Avenue. The bed was very comfortable with great quality pillows. The only noise came from motorcycles revving on Halloween night, what can I really say about that?
The pool. The hotel pool and hot tub area is private and surrounded by trees. The cabanas are for 4 but could easily fit 8, and no one felt on top of each other. It was never crowded!
The beach club. This is what sets The Seagate apart. Guests get access to a private beach club, about a 15 minute scenic walk from the hotel or a 4 minute ride on the Seagate van. We walked on a sunny, breezy day, and it was perfect. At the entrance, a team member walks you to your spot, whether that’s the pool, the beach or the restaurant, then sets up your towels and an umbrella for you. There is waiter service on the sand, Mr. Seas serves oceanfront food, and I’d call the service perfection. I had the Seagate smash burger, and yes, it was as good as it sounds. Ice cream and cookies are on the menu too for a perfect post-beach sweet treat.
Food and drink. Bourbon Steak by chef Michael Mina covers steakhouse dinners. The Gate is the hotel coffee shop, serving breakfast until 11 and then lunch and small bites. There is also a golf club for guests who want the full resort experience, and it’s nice that the service feels consistent across all of it. Where else do you get a lowkey downtown vibe, with 2 private pools, a private beach, an exclusive spa AND a golf club?
Spa and fitness. The spa, pool, gift shop and fitness center sit in a separate building across the main valet driveway. I didn’t receive any services personally, but I heard guests raving about the spa as they left. The fitness center was clean, never busy and full of options. I went every day I was there and in the hour I was there, the staff cleaned it three times. There are also wellness programs, including full moon yoga. I absolutely would have engaged in that activity, but we missed it by just 4 days!
Location. The hotel is on Atlantic Avenue, but closer to the beach than the busiest stretch, so evenings felt calm. There are so many restaurants and cute beach shops within walking distance, and a great sub shop, Sandwiches by the Sea, is a 3 minute walk away.
Important details to note
I promised an honest review, so here is the fine print.
- A 20% service charge is added to every purchase, even a coffee or product sold at The Gate (the resort coffee shop). It is not gratuity, so you can still tip on top if you’d like.
- Valet is $40 a day. The hotel texts you a link to request your car, and you can tip through the same link. I requested my rental car in the elevator and it was out front by the time I got downstairs.
- Fort Lauderdale airport is about 45-55 minutes away. After landing, we had a great post-travel dinner at Tap 42 in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Large portions and great flavors, and quiet enough for conversation on a Wednesday night. My favorite!
These are exactly the details an advisor can flag before you go, so nothing surprises you at the register.
Why it works for multigenerational trips
- The elevators are quick, the lobby is spacious, and everything is easy to get around for guests.
- There is plenty of seating in the lobby, and the lobby bar and The Gate cafe tables are beautiful spots to sit that isn’t your room. So if families just want somewhere to relax and don’t have a sofa in their room – there are options other than being in your room or outside! The resort is also situated on a corner and all along Atlantic Ave just steps up from the sidewalk, there are lounge seats to enjoy a book or your refreshing drink of choice.
- The staff was kind and attentive everywhere, and the service honestly felt five star.
- I saw kids at the hotel pool and mostly adults at the beach club, so the two spots naturally give a group different energy. The private beach is lovely for any age, and having a waiter on the sand is a gift for families.
- The pool and beach club menus have full options, including kid friendly choices.
- There was even a pumpkin carving contest in the lobby that guests could vote on. I appreciated the holiday acknowledgments! It’s a small touch that makes the hotel feel like home.
Domestic beach trips are really all they’re cracked up to be
Think about this for a second…waking up without an alarm, spending the day at the beach, coming back to shower, and get ready for dinner each night. Nothing fancy. But it does make you want to book something to look forward to, right? That is exactly what I needed.
Three tips for your own trip
- Plan for any weather. There is plenty to do even if it rains, so lean into those options. When the skies clear, head to the restaurants on the avenue, walk the beach or relax at the pools.
- Ask about fees up front. Service charges, valet and resort credits all affect the real price of your stay. It’s important to be aware of everything beforehand so nothing affects your in-destination experience.
- Walk to the beach club when it’s breezy, and take the van when it isn’t! Having those options is important because maybe, just maybe you don’t want to walk 15 minutes when you just got all ready for a nice fancy dinner at Mr. Seas!
Ready to plan your own break?
If you’re planning a multigenerational trip, a birthday celebration or just a long overdue break, talk to a MAST Travel Network advisor. They can help you save on luxury stays and share recommendations for where to eat, what to do and what not to miss so you look back and don’t wish you did anything different!
