What can you expect from a property with five stars or diamonds? Rooms that are immaculate? First-class amenities? Staff that is friendly and knowledgeable? Concierge service available 24 hours a day? Since 1928, Ponte Vedra Inn and Club is the epitome luxury and sophistication.
We recently had the chance to visit them and see if they lived up to their reputation. This detailed review will take you through the entire stay, from arrival to departure.
Our Credentials
We are more than just travel writers. Jenn has been in the service sector for 20 years and worn many hats, including Concierge and Spa Lead at properties with four- and five-star ratings. She also served as Brand Standards Coach. She developed luxury spa treatments that are still in use today, and has trained and evaluated hundreds employees according to the most demanding standards of customer service.
We notice whether we like it or not if the standards are met each time we visit a property. We know which points have been met and which ones have not. We will give you the best, the worst, and the outstanding.
Property Overview of the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
The Ponte Vedra Inn and club has 11 separate buildings that are spread over 300 acres and have 262 rooms. The historic Inn is one of the eleven buildings, while nine beachfront homes and a golfer’s paradise overlooking the signature Island 9th Hole on the Ocean Course are also available. The Ocean Course is just one of the two 18-hole golf courses located on the property. On the property, you’ll find 15 Har Tru Hydrocourt tennis court, an 8,000 square foot gym, and a spa of 30,000 square feet. The ten restaurants on the property range from casual dining by the pool to white-gloved dining with an oceanview.
Over 700 employees are on hand to ensure that this business runs smoothly. If you need to do more, guests can enjoy complimentary shuttle service and reciprocal access with The Lodge & Club Ponte Vedra Beach, the sister property. You’ll also find an adults only pool, outstanding oceanside restaurants, lounges and more.
Arrival on Property
We were worried about their reaction when we drove our Subaru Outback, loaded with bikes and surfboards, into the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. We were not dressed like high-end tourists going to an exclusive resort. The bell staff were extremely professional. The bell staff was very professional and greeted us warmly.
When we arrived at the front desk the staff knew not only our name, but also had our reservation pulled and checked us in to our room. Three points of service: a warm welcome, addressing us by name, and anticipating needs.
The map was in our welcome package. We used it to find the newly finished Ocean House. We parked our car in front and were able to see the room immediately.
Our Room Review
All hotel rooms are not created equal. Rooms that are designed to be living spaces and have impeccable bedding are what we look for. The superior oceanfront queen room we chose met all of these criteria and more.
We could do yoga together in bed. We could recline on the oceanfront balcony and enjoy the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. The bathroom was a masterstroke. The bathroom was a masterstroke. It had an oversized shower with rain and a standalone tub that opened into the main area. The bubble bath had an ocean view.
I like a bed that is soft and doesn’t sag. But I’m a pillow snob. I travel almost always with my bamboo pillow. The bamboo pillow makes even a three-star accommodation more comfortable and is a must-have for most five-star hotels. Our pillows were placed on the nightstand in Ponte Vedra because the bedding was so good. Even after a surf session that was intense, I woke up without a single sore area. It’s impossible to give a higher compliment to the bedding.
The Experience of Room Service
The response time at the front desk is one of the things we fear about staying in properties that are dispersed. Even the simplest requests can take a long time to be accommodated. We needed wine glasses and a sewing kit. We called and within 10 minutes, someone was at our front door with the items we needed. I doubt we could have made the trip to and from the front desk in that amount of time.
After COVID, we’ve become accustomed to a reduced level of service. It can sometimes seem like you need to barter extra towels. In Ponte Vedra they still provide turndown service. After dinner, we returned to find a room that was clean and chocolate made locally.
Dinner at Seahorse Grille
We had a romantic dinner planned at Seahorse Grille. The views were stunning, even though the restaurant faces east. We watched as the sun set, surfers carving and cutting the breaks in the Surf Club.
As starters, we had hot garlic skillet shrimps, lobster tails, and fresh sushi. We had chicken Milanese and braised short-rib gnocchi for the main course. From sea to land, we took a gastronomic trip from subtle nuances to savory heights.
We prefer cocktails, even though our sommelier recommended wine pairings with some of the world’s best wineries. The cocktails were smooth and sophisticated, but the sommelier didn’t seem to regret his choice. Everyone was friendly and helpful, from the moment we made our reservation until our last meal. They all knew our names.
Beaches and Biking Boards
We were just a few steps from the beach when we stayed in our room with a beachfront view. Miles and miles of white, soft sand stretch out in all directions. The beaches of Florida’s Atlantic coast are more varied than those on the Gulf Coast. The beaches are cooler, but can be good for surfing on some days. Winter months are usually more favourable for surfing, especially when storms are approaching. Summer seas are calmer, so you may be tempted by the kiosk outside the Surf Club to rent a SUP or kayak. Paddling enthusiasts will want to drive the 10 minutes to North Guana Outpost and paddle in the protected estuary on the Guana River.
Renting beach cruisers is a great way to explore Ponte Vedra Beach at low tide, and it’s a fun activity. Ponte Vedra Boulevard is a great place to ride if you are a recreational cyclist. Six miles of wide bike lanes and sidewalks lead to Mickler Landing Beach, past luxurious homes and gardens on the seaside. The bike lanes can be continued for 10 miles along A1A, through the GTM Preserve. Cycling Ponte Vedra is a winter bucket list item for every cyclist.
The Gym and Pool
The gym at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club was an absolute gem. The 8,000-square-foot facility had more than 75 stations, including cardio machines, free weights, and weight machines. The facility was not only spacious and large, but also beautiful with its clean new machines and views of the ocean. You can also choose from a variety of classes, such as reformer pilates and spinning.
We were disappointed in the pool. It would be a spectacular pool for the right guest. We are not the right visitors. Our daughter was captain of the swim team and would have loved to have nine lanes for swimming laps. The separation of the play pool from the soaking pool was appreciated. We are soaking pool lovers, as you might expect. But it was tucked behind the poolside dining area.
Fair enough, the weather was not conducive to a pool-day, but we may have felt differently if we’d taken the shuttle down the oceanfront adult-only pool at the Lodge. The photos are stunning!
Golf and Tennis
The Ponte Vedra Inn and Club is proud of its tennis and golf options. The club offers a full range of services, including top-notch facilities and instruction, as well as a fully-stocked pro shop. The club offers guests and members access to 15 Har-Tru Hydrocourt tennis courts as well as 36 championship holes of golf.
We were able to visit the Ocean Course’s Island Hole. Herbert Bertram Strong created this 144-yard island hole in 1928 – decades before Pete Dye designed the TPC Sawgrass’ famed 17th on the Stadium Course. The original sink-or swim ‘Island Hole,’ it is characterized by sloping greens with elevated pin positions and deep bunkers. The historic par-71 Ocean Course will require all 14 clubs. Lagoon Course, a par-70 course measuring 6,022 yards, is also a tough challenge. The course was designed by two geniuses – Robert Trent Jones in 1961 with the nine front holes and Joe Lee in 1977 with the nine back.
The Spa
The 30,000-square-foot Spa at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is stunning from an aesthetic standpoint! The Spa Cafe and relaxation room are exclusive to Spa guests. There is also an outdoor hydrotherapy pool with a waterfall and four therapy grottos. The locker rooms feature the quality toiletries and amenities that you would expect in a 5-star hotel, such as a dry sauna, steam room and whirlpool. The Spa also boasts 22 treatment areas, including Private Couples Suites and a hairstylist station. The Spa has a boutique where you can purchase the products used in the Spa. ).
There are more than 100 options to choose from to help you relax and look beautiful. You can even get CBD beauty and massage treatments. You can make a whole day out of your visit to the Spa by booking a few treatments, enjoying a delicious and healthy lunch, and relaxing at the pool. You can only use the Spa without being a member or guest. As long as you’ve had a robed service at the spa, you can access the facility.
Unfortunately, when we visited, the Spa was completely booked and could not accommodate us for a treatment. Although disappointing, the fact that the Spas and Spa providers tend to be fully booked 4-6 weeks ahead of time is a testament as to their quality. We will book our Spa appointments early next time, and then update this article with more information about the quality of services.
Departing Ponte Vedra
Craig Schoninger was the Director of Sales and marketing. We had the chance to speak with him after our farewell brunch in the elegant Dining Room. The room featured white linens and crystal accents as well as fresh flowers. He invited us around to see the historic pictures of four generations of guests that have enjoyed the property since its opening in 1928. He stated that his goal is to make members feel like guests and guests feel like members. This legacy and belief is what makes Ponte Vedra Inn & Club so special. You get much more than just a bed when you stay at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. You can enjoy a lifestyle of exclusivity and elegance.
We have included Ponte Vedra Inn and Club in our list of the most romantic hotels located in Florida. The hotel lives up to the five-star/five-diamond ranking with its beautiful contrast of old-school appeal and modern amenities. You’ll remember your stay at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, whether you want to enjoy a romantic escape to St Augustine or Florida’s Historic Coast, or stay on the property to enjoy all that it has to offer. We know that you will be looking forward to a return trip.