Just ninety minutes north of Palm Beach, Vero beach feels like Florida forgot to develop it — but perhaps that’s precisely the point.
If you’re planning a trip to Florida’s east coast and are looking for a unique experience, consider Vero Beach and more specifically the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa. Kimpton hotels are known for their boutique-style with smaller, more intimate properties compared to other chain hotels. The Kimpton Vero beach is no different.
Vero Beach is an extremely calm spot, perfect for one or two nights of relaxation but perhaps lacking activities for a longer trip. The beach is home to just a handful of restaurants, cafes and upmarket boutiques. It feels like a place that caters to snowbirds primarily — we visited in September and it was eerily quiet. Many apartment complexes had storm shutters up pointing to snow birds who left earlier in the year and prepared their properties for hurricane season.
This was our first stay in at a Kimpton, and first in a few years at any IHG property so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The hotel itself is home to 113 rooms from their 1 King Essential Interior through to the impressive 3 Bedroom Grand Suite Oceanfront. For this trip I was traveling with my wife and daughter so we booked a 1 King 1 Bedroom Suite Water View. The approximate listed size is 1,000 SQ FT.
The hotel has plenty of amenities: two restaurants (one closed midweek), spa, pool, fitness room, and a section of beach. Valet parking is the only option, but it is fairly priced at $15/night. After checking in and receiving a complimentary glass of sparkling wine each, we made our way to room 331A.
We were welcomed by a handwritten note, a selection of macarons and a bottle of white wine. I really appreciate small touches like this when checking into a luxury hotel, I think it makes a huge difference.
Starting in the lounge area which had a sofa and several chairs. If felt slightly cramped, but that could be easily remedied by removing a couple of the chairs. Otherwise it was well decorated and a very nice spot to chill. It was also home to one of two balconies in our room.
Just off the lounge we had a small kitchen. I stay small but in reality it featured a microwave, oven, fridge freezer, sink and Nespresso coffee machine. We didn’t really use it, but great to have if you plan on staying for a little longer.
Next was the bedroom, due to the corner location of the room we had a corridor that led down to the bed and second balcony. Just off the corridor was the bathroom which featured a full size tub and separate shower, the toilet was also closed off.
My one gripe was the quality of the Atelier Bloem bath product which are manufactured by Malin+Goetz. The products are overly fragranced and full of ingredients that conscious consumers tend to avoid like sulfates. And of course the refillable bottles are still, frankly, gross. I realize this problem is not unique to Kimpton, but its disappointing in a luxury hotel.
Moving into the bedroom we opted for a 1 king bed which was comfortable and featured cotton linens. I was surprised to see that the brand was Sobel Westex instead of Frette which I had read was Kimpton’s brand standard. I’m really splitting hairs by complaining about it as we slept extremely well. Probably the best hotel sleep I’ve had since becoming a dad.
Our bedroom also featured a second balcony which looked inland. Initially I wasn’t quite sure of the purpose but soon realized when we were able to enjoy a stunning sunset later that evening.
On our first evening we opted to dine at Colbalt which is positioned as their fine dining option. This wouldn’t have been our first option with a 17-month old but we only learned of their more casual restuarant, Heaton’s, being closed midweek.
If I’m being totally honest: the meal was average. I certainly wouldn’t recommend it. The food was fine but did not justify the prices. Our bill came to $360 including tip for entrees and a single dessert (we had an additional adult join us for dinner), but I wouldn’t say the food here is any better than going to a chain steakhouse.
The service was also lacking, at one point it felt like we were being told off because our daughter had missed the paper with her restaurant supplied crayon and slightly marked the outdoor table. The waiter came rushing over and told us it was impossible to clean crayon off the table, I wiped the mark off with my finger in a matter of seconds. The one major pro was the view. Colbalt features a terrace with sweeping views of the Atlantic coast. That was my single way of reasoning the insane bill.
Elsewhere the hotel features a pool area with sun loungers and a bar, this is also where Heaton’s is located when open. The bar does serve reasonably priced food during the day which is good for spending time by the pool. The section of beach in front of the property, whilst not explicitly private, is quiet enough and your resort fee includes sun beds and towels for use.
The Kimpton Vero Beach succeeds in what it seems designed to do best: provide a comfortable, well-appointed base for doing very little. The rooms are spacious and genuinely restful, the beach is uncrowded, and the overall vibe feels like a deliberate step back from the tourism frenzy that defines much of Florida’s coastline. But the disappointing dining experience at Colbalt serves as a reminder that boutique charm doesn’t always extend to every corner of a property.
For a quick weekend escape, particularly for travelers seeking peace, the hotel delivers. Just lower your culinary expectations, pack your patience if you’re traveling with kids, and embrace the fact that Vero Beach in September feels less like a destination and more like a secret. Whether that’s a feature or a bug depends entirely on what you’re looking for.
