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Tags: Waldorf-Astoria Collection / Hilton Hotels / Hotel News / Beach Hotels / Boca Raton Hotels / → All Tags

Waldorf-Astoria Collection Eats Up the Everything Bagel of Hotels

Where: 501 E Camino Real [map], Boca Raton, FL, United States, 33432

Hooray! Now we have somewhere that is certified-Waldorf-posh to stay when we go down to visit our grandparents in Boca — should a fam visit warrant splurging on opulent and certifie-Waldorf-Posh, that is.

The Boca Raton Resort and Club, which the New York Times called "the everything bagel of hotels" last year because it "offers whatever you need, but it has no striking personality" is now part of the Waldorf-Astoria Collection. Fresh off a $200-million renovation and set up sorta like a "waterfront village," the resort offers four different kinds of digs in the main resort area of the hotel.

Additionally, the 212-room Boca Beach Club on the Atlantic across the Intracoastal Waterway offers cabana-style guestrooms — and as the Times found out for us, not all the rooms and views across the 356-acre property are created equal, so do your research. We found rates at the Resort starting at $199 and rates at the Beach Club starting at $149.

This is the 13th hotel to join the Waldorf Collection — was it struggling and in need of a brand behind it, perhaps?

Tags: Hotel Renovations / Boca Raton Hotels / Geraldine Fabrikant / → All Tags

The Boca Raton Resort May Have Had Too Many Renovations

Where: 501 E Camino Real [map], BOCA RATON, FL, United States, 33432

The last time we mentioned the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Florida, it was because Regis Philbin was annoyed that he'd tipped the bellman before he found out tips are all included. This week the New York Times checked it out, and came out with a fairly lukewarm conclusion too. Reviewer Geraldine Fabrikant writes:

The Boca is the hotel version of the everything bagel. It offers whatever you need, but it has no striking personality.

What it does have is 80 years of history, and 80 years of various renovations and rebuilds which enables it to offer different styles of accommodation depending on your vacation needs, so it's suitable for families or couples or groups all at once.

However, all this leads to staff and service being stretched just a bit too far.

Fabrikant says:

Like a woman who does her face, but neglects her neck, parts of the hotel seem to have not gotten the help they need.

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Tags: Tips / Hidden Hotel Fees / → All Tags

Fear The Wrath Of Regis

Where: 501 East Camino Real [map], Boca Raton, FL, United States, 33432

According to USA Today:

Regis Philbin tipped a bellman at the Boca Raton Resort & Club last weekend, only to find out the bellman's tip was already built into his hotel bill.

Of course, this peeved Regis, and you don't want to irk Reg. As expected, he told an entire TV audience about his fleecing upon his return.

Boca was forced to respond:

"We didn't want guests to worry" about constantly tipping, says Anne Hersley-Hankins. "Normally, when a person checks in, it is explained. It should have been explained" to Philbin.

Yeah, right.

Other upscale resorts, including The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa in Arizona, tack on a daily service charge that includes bellmen's gratuities.

Know any other resorts that do this?  Let us know.