Blog articles

Book Now
A man and three children, all wearing swimwear, run and play together on a sandy beach with Sandpearl Resort in the background.

FEATURED

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
Aerial view of a winding coastal road bordered by dense forest with autumn foliage, rocky cliffs, and waves crashing against the shoreline below.

FEATURED

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.
Read more
The view of Frenchman Bay from Bar Harbor

FEATURED

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 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.

FEATURED

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.
Read more
A father and daughter play in the gin-clear waters of Jupiter, Florida.

FEATURED

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.
Read more
A family enters the lobby at Hutchinson Island Beach Resort & Spa.

FEATURED

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
A couple embraces in the ocean at sunset with sunlight illuminating them. The foreground shows clear water. Text overlay reads #OPALLOVESTORYCONTEST.

Pin to Win: #OpalLoveStoryContest

In the spring of 2015, we challenged our fans to build a Pinterest board as a tribute to their significant other, sharing what it is that makes him or her special as well as telling the story of their relationship together. See all the…

Read more
A wooden boardwalk bordered by grassy sand dunes leads to a sunny beach under a blue sky. The text #MYOPALMOMENT is overlaid in the center of the image.

Photo Contest: #MyOpalMoment

In our inaugural contest over the summer of 2014, we asked Opal visitors to capture a favorite moment from their time in that destination. Submissions ranged from pretty mountaintop views to indelible family moments. Check out the finalists.

Read more
Beers across Opal Collection

Mixing Hops & Hospitality: Top Opal Beers

With National Beer Day kicking off on April 7, now’s the ideal time for brew hounds to sample the hoppy, smooth, and unique signature brews at Opal destinations – best served with a coastal sunset of your choice. Lake Placid Lodge IPA Brewed just for the lodge by nearby Great…

Read more
Atlantic beach sunset in Florida

5 Top Attractions In Florida Vacation Destinations

Where will your Florida vacation take you? We make your decision easy by highlighting five draws at every Opal destination in the Sunshine state. Clearwater Caladesi Island State Park, voted Florida’s best beach multiple times. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home to movie…

Read more
Key West or Lake George

This or That: Key West or Lake George

On opposite ends of the East Coast, Key West and Lake George are united in their love of festivals, museums, and attractions on the water. Easy on the Water Lake George: Kayak the Lake A paddle and kayak from Green Island’s Lake George Kayak Company, located…

Read more
marissa collection bag

Your Shopping Guide to Naples

Naples’s five walkable, high-end districts, home to hundreds of shops and boutiques, have helped build the coastal city’s reputation as one of the best fashion destinations south of Fifth Avenue. Photo courtesy of Marissa Collections Fifth Avenue South Frequently mentioned among the best shopping centers in…

Read more