Blog | Page 2 of 61 | Opal Collection

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. Read More

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. Read More

Spacious restaurant with colorful mosaic ceiling and woven wood decor. Tables are set with pink and white dishes. A well-stocked bar with shelves of bottles is in the background, with wooden chairs and decorative lights. Large windows offer an ocean view.

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Opal Key’s Fresh Dining & Design: A Key West Resort Renovation

If you’ve been waiting to hear the latest on Opal Key Resort & Marina’s renovated spaces – an upgraded arrival experience, expanded pool area, and exciting new restaurant concept – here’s what you need to know. Read More

A gourmet dish featuring grilled octopus served in Ringside, Cirque St. Armands newest Sarasota restaurant.

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10 Best New Sarasota Restaurants to Visit in 2025

Whether you’re a local foodie or planning an upcoming visit, this insider’s guide reveals the most anticipated restaurants to open in Sarasota, Florida, including Opal’s own Ringside restaurant at Cirque St. Armands Beachside. Read More

The eighth-floor views at The Lucie in Hutchinson Island, Florida.

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5 Digital Detox Retreats Designed for Distancing

We live in a noisy world with so much content vying for our attention. If you’re looking to distance yourself with a digital detox retreat, we have five worthy – and diversly different – picks in Opal destinations. Read More

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. Read More

Whether you're planning where to go next or what to do on an already‑booked vacation, discover the travel destinations with Opal

Mother and son stand at the summit of Cadillac Mountain at sunrise in Bar Harbor, Maine.

How to Navigate Acadia National Park’s Vehicle Reservations System

Here’s what you need to know about how to make a vehicle reservation online and common questions about the process answered. Read More

A blueberry muffin split in half with melting butter sits on a white plate, surrounded by fresh blueberries. More muffins and blueberries are in the background on a white platter.

All About ‘Tom’s Blueberry Muffin,’ Opal’s Most-Loved Breakfast Staple

With a recipe that dates back to the late ‘60s, Opal Collection’s blueberry muffin has been a longtime breakfast staple, loved and devoured daily by guests. Now, this handheld treat will be that much easier to recreate at home. Read More

An aerial view of Sand Beach in Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor.

10 Best Swimming Holes at (and around) Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina

If you have an urge to submerge, you might be pleased to know that Bar Harbor has no shortage of water, water, everywhere. From stellar swimming pools to picturesque beaches, here’s exactly where to go to splash around. Read More

10 Can’t-Miss Seafood Dishes Across Opal Destinations

Seafood lovers, rejoice! From simple-but-sublime lobster rolls in Maine to yuzu-glazed yellowtail snapper in Key West, we’ve rounded up dishes that make the most of these ocean-dwellers for a culinary-inspired vacation you won’t soon forget. Read More

Sunset view of a rocky coastline with a forest of evergreen trees. The orange sunlight casts a warm glow on the rocks and cliffs. Waves gently lap at the pebble-covered shore, creating a serene atmosphere.

Your Guide to Bar Harbor, Maine

This charming village located on Mount Desert Island is like a universe in itself, blessed with a diversity of landscapes, terrain, and wildlife, not to mention a plethora of things to do and places to eat. Explore it with us. Read More

A person with a backpack hugs a tan dog on a rocky hilltop, overlooking a vast landscape with a river winding through dense green forests under a colorful sunset sky.

Meet Finn, West Street Hotel’s Mascot Dog!

The West Street Hotel has a beloved mascot, an English lab by the name of Finn! His best trick? Wooing and befriending every guest. Here are some of Finn’s favorite things, from treats to toys and activities he woofs very much. Read More

A beach scene with gentle waves under a cloudy sky. Blue beach umbrellas and chairs are arranged on the sand. Lush greenery and swaying palm trees line the pathway to the shore, creating a tropical ambiance.

Morning Glory: 12 Best Ways To Start Your Day

Start your day off right, and the rest of it will fall into place. Luckily, Opal hotels boast a myriad of top-notch early-morning experiences sure to get you out your hotel room quickly. From standout breakfasts to scenic yoga sessions, here are the best things to do before the clock strikes 12 (p.m.). Read More

10 Ways To Experience Opal Destinations Through Your Kids

Travel can be an eye-opening experience for the little ones – but also, for the grown-ups. Tap into your childlike sense of wonder with these fun-for-all-ages activities, and learn to see them through the eyes of your kiddos. Read More

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. Read More

A readers' choice collage of four captivating images: a couple strolling among palm trees, an aerial view of a resort showcasing lush green lawns, a woman relaxing in a clawfoot tub set within a wooden-paneled room, and an enchanting beachfront featuring pristine white sand and elegant buildings.

Condé Nast–Confirmed: 12 Opal Properties Recognized in 2021’s Readers’ Choice Awards

The people have spoken. Twelve Opal Collection properties were awarded Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards. So what’s all the fuss about? Read More

Blog articles from Bar Harbor

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