If you’re a South Florida local of modest means, it’s almost impossible to experience The Boca Raton, the lush and historic resort that began as an inn designed by famed architect Addison Mizner.
The cheapest rooms begin at more than $600 a night. Club memberships are thousands of dollars a year. And the property’s spa, golf course, tennis courts, beach and 14 restaurants are off-limits unless a friend who’s a member or guest has invited you.
So the best way for non-guests to experience the 200-acre site on the Intracoastal Waterway is through the Boca Raton Historical Society, which is offering guided tours twice a month through May.
The society has sponsored the tours for decades, but a recent $200 million renovation that pays homage to Mizner provides a special thrill for history buffs and those curious about the usually off-limits property.
“You can’t drive around Boca Raton without seeing the name Mizner,” said tour guide and historical society education director Laurie-Lynn Jones. She described the architect as a lover of Mediterranean Revival and Spanish colonial building styles and forerunner of the “shabby chic” look of beaten-up wood furniture and antiques.
Tourgoers see the remains of Mizner’s original Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn, which opened in 1926, with its pecky cypress arches and wrought-iron chandeliers. High ceilings, transom doors, handmade tiles and cast-stone columns kept the rooms cool pre-air conditioning.
From 1942 to 1944, the U.S. Army bought the club to house and train Air Corps troops during World War II. Subsequent owners redesigned the buildings to suit contemporary tastes, and doors disappeared, fireplaces were hidden, and new halls and towers were built.
In 1944, hotelier J. Myer Schine and his socialite wife, Hildegarde, bought the hotel and changed the name from The Boca Raton Club to The Boca Raton. Hildegarde loved pink and pushed for the rosy redesign that became the hotel’s signature for many decades.
In 2019, MSD Partners, headed by computer entrepreneur Michael Dell of California, bought the property. The resort is now painted in its original “coastal sand” color and is divided into five hotels — Cloister, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Tower and Bungalows. The 27-story, 244-room Tower, visible from miles away, is still painted pink.
Boca Raton resident Liz Schwartz took a tour on Tuesday with her mother and sister. She said she lives just a few minutes away and wishes she could visit the property on a regular basis.
“Even if they had once-a-month [options] for locals, I think that would be great,” Schwartz said. “It would be nice for my husband to take clients to the restaurants. There are plenty of restaurants in Boca, but this would offer another option.”
But beyond the historical society tours, the resort has no plans to open up to the public, spokeswoman Sara Geen Hill said.
“The Boca Raton has long been a coveted destination within South Florida, and we remain private to our Resort guests and club members,” she said.
If you go
WHAT: “History Tour of The Boca Raton”
WHEN: 2 p.m. April 25, May 9 and May 23 (tours about 1 1/2 hours)
WHERE: The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real
COST: $25, plus $11 to valet your car
INFORMATION: For more details, visit bocahistory.org. To register, go to .
