When it comes to going on vacation with your mother (or daughter), your best bet is to find a place that offers activities and amenities that appeal to both of you. Over the last few years, my mom and I have been fortunate enough to travel together everywhere from the English countryside to Jamaica — but there’s one place we’ve found that continually appeals to our fondness for warm weather and short flights along the East Coast.
Worth Ave in Palm Beach, Florida
Sean Pavone/Getty Images
The Palm Beaches make up 47 miles of Florida’s coastline and can be easily accessed by most major airlines; Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is in the middle of the region, and Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) is another option, particularly if you’re exploring South Palm Beach County.
Boats docked in a marina in Palm Beach Gardens
Courtesy of Discover The Palm Beaches
While you can choose to stay in just one part of the Palm Beaches — which is split up into the North, Central, and South regions — you can also turn it into a road trip of sorts.
Bright blue water, top-tier restaurants, luxury and boutique hotels, as well as a mix of nature, quiet communities, and bustling cities can be found as you make your way up (or down) the coast.
Whether you prefer lounging by the beach, spending your day on the golf course, or having a pampered spa day, Florida’s Palm Beaches have something for every type of mother-daughter duo. Here’s where we recommend staying.
Birds on the beach at John D Macarthur State Park in North Palm Beach
Courtesy of Discover The Palm Beaches
North Region
In the North Region, we ventured out to Palm Beach Gardens and the PGA National Resort, which underwent a $100-million renovation in 2022. While we’re not golfers, the full redesign of the property’s rooms and suites as well as its 40,000-square-foot spa were calling our names.
In our experience, a successful mother-daughter trip is one that includes making memories together as well as fitting in some alone time. The PGA National Resort allows for both. Together, you can get in a game of tennis at the Sports & Racquet Club or dine at Chef Jeremy Ford’s steakhouse, The Butcher’s Club. Apart, you have the option to swim laps in the club’s five-lane saltwater lap pool or appreciate a moment of silence while reading or walking around the resort.
To get the best of both worlds, stay in one of the 21 Serena and Lily-designed cottages. Outfitted with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, the stylish, palatial retreats provide just the right amount of quality time mixed with individual privacy.
