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A Top 25 Best Hotel Portfolio in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, 2025
A holiday-themed cocktail part of Opal's seasonal cocktail program.

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Top Holiday Cocktails To Ring in 2026
These holiday cocktails – part of Opal’s specialty holiday cocktail program – aren’t just complex symphonies of flavor, they’re liquid works of art. And we’ve got the recipes for you to recreate during your own holiday festivities.
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A Florida-themed Christmas ornament on a tree.

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5 Game-Changing Benefits of Taking Your Holidays on Vacation
If the stress of your holiday hustle has been weighing you down (especially if you’re the one hosting the festivities), this may be an article you want to read. Because a holiday week getaway may just be the best gift you can give yourself.
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Aerial view of a winding coastal road bordered by dense forest with autumn foliage, rocky cliffs, and waves crashing against the shoreline below.

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Why Mount Desert Island Was Voted America’s Favorite Island
It wasn’t a tropical escape that scored number one in the “Top 15 Islands in the Continental U.S.” list in Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards. It was a lobster-claw-shaped piece of land off the craggy coast of Downeast Maine.
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The view of Frenchman Bay from Bar Harbor

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A Coveted Coastal New England Road Trip
The beauty of a multi-day, 220-mile road trip up the craggy coast from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Bar Harbor, Maine isn’t just the plethora of enticing pit stops along the route – from high culture to scenic coves. It’s also the way that Opal properties serve as your easy and convenient overnight waypoints for piecing together one epic coastal cruise.
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A man and three children, all wearing swimwear, run and play together on a sandy beach with Sandpearl Resort in the background.

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Best Family Beach Resorts in Florida
Planning a family beach vacation to Florida? From morning splash time to sunset s’mores, Opal Collection offers a variety of beach resorts up and down the coast that take the hassle out of family vacations.
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A serene beach scene unfolds in Clearwater, Florida, with a long pier extending into calm, blue waters. Sandy dunes with patches of grass grace the foreground. The clear sky holds a whisper of clouds near the horizon, while small structures dot this idyllic attraction on the pier.

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Must-See Clearwater Florida Attractions You Never Knew About
Think you’ve experienced all of Clearwater Beach? This list of hidden gems might make you think again.
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A father and daughter play in the gin-clear waters of Jupiter, Florida.

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6 Best Crystal-Clear Water Beaches in Florida that Rival the Caribbean
You don’t need a passport to frolic in the blue waves identical to what you’d find in everyone’s favorite tropical sea. You just need these favorite Florida beaches.
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A family enters the lobby at Hutchinson Island Beach Resort & Spa.

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10 Experiences to Level Up Your Next Opal Escape
Opal Collection resorts and hotels are more than just luxurious places to lay your head. From private chef-led culinary events to hands-on outdoor adventures you’ll be raving about for years to come, here’s how our collection can craft and connect you to indelible experiences that discerning travelers covet.
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Whether you're planning where to go next or what to do on an already‑booked vacation, discover the travel destinations with Opal

A couple holding hands walks up a grassy hill at dusk, their eyes set on a large, illuminated building that echoes the classic architectural style reminiscent of Lake George history. The roof's cupola is silhouetted against a sky gracefully transitioning to night.

Unexpected Lake George History

Lake George is known for its French and Indian War history, yet there’s more to the region’s past than muskets and Mohicans. Its timeline of local A-listers ranges from Georgia O’Keeffe to Rachael Ray.

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A split image: on the left, seagulls soar against a clear blue sky; on the right, a long stone pier leads to a white lighthouse with a forested hill in the background. It's an inspiring view reminiscent of what hotel GMs envision when crafting perfect guest experiences.

3 Opal GMs on Their Favorite Opal Destinations to Vacay

Ever wonder where hotel managers go on vacation when it’s finally time for their own getaway? Well, if you’re a General Manager at Opal, the answer is usually another Opal destination! But which ones? Here, our GMs spill the tea on the Opal destinations they like enough to be a guest of. 

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winter hike recommendations

7 Winter Hikes in Sun and Snow

Winter doesn’t mean an end to hiking season. In Florida, the Adirondacks, and Maine, it’s an ideal time to take to the trails. Bald Mountain [Camden, ME] Located just a 20-minute drive from downtown Camden, this is the ideal introductory winter hike. The wide, gradual path to the top…

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A serene outdoor pool with turquoise lounge chairs is surrounded by palm trees. The pool overlooks a sandy beach with blue umbrellas and the ocean under a clear blue sky.

Your Guide to Sarasota, Florida

Beyond the white-sand beaches of this Gulf Coast gem is a sophisticated city sparkling with fine dining, fascinating art and science museums, and even the Big Cat Habitat. Here are the Opal-curated picks for experiencing Sarasota.

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