By Charmaine Hibbert

Our journey from Seagate Hotel to PGA National takes us around 40-minutes and as we pull up outside the entrance to the main resort area you can already feel that we are taking a step up. The reception area with its ample seating and oblong bar in the centre dominate and I already know this is going to be the place to hang out and have a few drinks tonight.

Another swift check-in and we are both heading up to the fourth floor, although James goes straight on and I go right. I love entering hotel rooms in the US; yes I have that slight trepidation of what awaits behind the door, but the rooms are always the perfect temperature.

I am staying in a resort room view - but first it’s the nose dive into the pillows time. I must say I love the design of this bed with its curved shaped head rest that has built in lights, as well as the two side lights on the side tables. The walk-in shower has black tiling with gold fixings, a comfortable sofa which sits in front of a large TV screen. We are only at the resort for one night but there is plenty of space to work, relax on the balcony or just chill in front of the TV.



The Spa at PGA National

James is off to play golf while I am off to the spa and have been told that I need to sample the Golfers Massage at The Spa at PGA National. I am shown around the changing room that also has a sauna, steam room, whirlpool and there is also the relaxation room where I am told to change and wait for my masseuse.

After a few minutes Toby calls my name and introduces herself and leads me to one of the many treatment rooms – there are both couple and single treatments rooms here. After checking which oils I would like to be used on me, Toby slips out while I get myself comfortable on the table, head up as Toby likes to start from the front first.

After a few minutes of Toby weaving her magic with her very soft hands, I am feeling tranquil, but boy when she wants to apply some pressure this petite little woman could have you crying like a baby.

I know I am slowly slipping in and out of sleep and suddenly I am asked to turn over and Toby starts to work from my head down to my legs or was it the other way round! Whichever way it was, I know that in between the naps it was great to just let go of all the stress and drift in and out and feel my body relax and just feel totally rested.

It turns out the Golfers Massage must be 90 minutes, which seem to go so quick. I remember Toby taking me back to the relaxation area and drinking water and then basically passing out on one of the full body length reclining chairs that contours with your shape, now was trying to fit Toby into James’s golf bag a dream or a cunning plan!





Birdie’s Diner

James has just texted me to say he has finished his first round and will meet me in the Birdie’s Diner. As I arrive my eyes light up as it’s a real throwback to the 50s. The only thing that is missing is a juke box in the corner and the colour scheme is brown, beige and a mint green rather than the 50s red, white and black, but the booths and the leather cushioned chairs and bar stools at the counter are all there.

We decide to go all out 50s Americana with James opting for the All-beer hot dog and I go for the classic all-American wagyu cheeseburger with a vanilla milkshake and James decides to try a local beer called the Funky Buddha Floridian Hefeweizen, which he enjoyed so much that he “needed to make sure it was that good!” and orders another.

The food is cooked perfectly and both look impressive, although the melted cheese over the chilli dog does look lip-smackingly tempting and I use all my persuasive skills to remind James that I need to sample his food for the review! After some negotiation we decide to go half and half so we can each try both American classics!



The Butcher's Club

To be honest, making our way down to the evening meal at the Butcher's Club we are like a couple of kids heading down to see what is under the tree Christmas morning. I know for a fact if James had to live on one food for the rest of his life it would be steak cooked Pittsburgh style and although I wouldn’t go that far, I do love a good steak.

The Butcher's Club continues the American 50s era theme, but this time with sophistication, mood lighting and lots of gold and brown details with a slight Art Deco twist. We are shown to our table and order cocktails; I order the Mezcalado which consists of Sombra Mezcal, Espolon Tequila, strawberry, coconut milk and honey and James goes for the Cantalouple in Palm Beach which is Plantation rum, cantaloupe, pamplemousse and fresh lime.



Now for the highlight of the night, we decide on the 10oz wagyu filet mignon, I go for medium/rare and James of course goes for the Pittsburgh style, we share the Yukon gold potato puree with roasted roasted garlic, maldon, chives, frantoia olive oil and the local gratitude garden mushrooms with the Butcher's Club signature steak glaze.

As you would imagine from Floridian native Jeremy Ford, who was the winner of Top Chef season 13 in the US, the steak is just mouth-wateringly tasty and James is really impressed with how good the Pittsburgh style cooking is, but we both agree the creamed potatoes, which nearly steal the show. They are truly amazing and all washed down with a 2018 Vaglio Malbac from Agrelo, Argentina.

The evening comes to a close with a coconut ice cream, which again is so nice, and another round of cocktails. As we make our way to the rooms, we both agree it was one of our best dining experiences on a press trip. Whether you are staying at the PGA National Resort or not, dinner reservations at the Butcher's Club to taste Jeremy Fords cooking is a must when you go to The Palm Beaches.





Conclusion

It has been a wonderful stay at the PGA National Resort, and the $100 million investment to both interior and exterior designs, new restaurants, activities, and amenities shows. With six championship golf courses, state-of-the-art Sports & Racquet Club with 19 tennis courts, a 40,000-square-foot spa with exclusive Waters of the World outdoor mineral pools, PGA National Resort has something for everyone and we can’t wait to return.

PGA National Resor & Spa
400 Ave of the Champions
Palm Beach Gardens
FL 33418, United States

T: +1 800-863-2819
W: pgaresort.com