Quick, what’s pink and twenty seven stories high in Boca Raton? If you guessed the Tower at the Boca Raton Resort and Club, you know your Boca hotels. The hotel, designed by renowned architect Addison Mizner over 80 years ago, is a cool historical treasure given Boca’s history of new cookie-cutter developments. The resort is also a great place for a quick weekend getaway if you know how to take advantage of being a local.

Although the hotel limits daily visits to those who pay a substantial sum and join as Members, anyone staying overnight gets full run of all the facilities. As any savvy Floridian knows, if you go during low or shoulder season you can snag a good deal and get to be king or queen of the hill at reduced rates. Another alternative for better rates is to bid on a hotel package in one of the myriad local charity silent or live auctions. The hotel often donates rooms and/or golf and sometimes you can get a good deal on a two night stay.

Disappointingly for now the Beach Club is closed for renovations. The pool area at the beach is not scheduled to reopen until April, 2008, while the Beach Club hotel rooms will not be available for occupancy until 2009. Even without the Beach Club, however, there are plenty of activities available.

My family recently took advantage of the off season rates and had a blast. My husband played golf on the resort course and raved about the magnificent setting. The on site marina has a variety of boating options and we loved our trip on the Ocean Breeze catamaran. There is a beautiful pool, multiple clay tennis courts, a well equipped fitness room, a croquet course and a first class spa complete with exotic treatment options.

The restaurants at the hotel are good but like everything else very pricey. We had a celebratory dinner at Old Homestead and it was excellent. A less expensive option for locals is to simply drive off property and enjoy your favorite Boca restaurant. Being a resident, you can take advantage of the hotel on your terms and benefit from this town treasure.

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