Is The Cottages at PGA National Resort worth it? Honest pros and cons
Short answer: Yes, The Cottages at PGA National Resort can be worth it if you want two-bedroom, individually furnished cottage accommodations with direct access to PGA National’s golf, spa, pools and restaurants. It’s a good pick for families or golf/spa-focused stays, though value depends on timing, resort fees, and how much you’ll use on-site dining and amenities.
In this guide
What the Cottages are (who they suit)
The Cottages at PGA National Resort are 21 individually furnished two-bedroom cottages placed in a corner of the larger PGA National Resort property. They’re described as Serena & Lily–designed and give a more residential layout than a standard hotel room.
These cottages make sense if you want extra space, a living/dining layout and proximity to the resort’s golf courses, spa and dining venues while still having private-feeling accommodations.
- 21 two-bedroom cottage units (individually furnished)
- Short walk to PGA National golf, spa, restaurants and Sports & Racquet Club
- Free in-room Wi‑Fi and on-site private parking (per resort listings)
| Good for | Why |
|---|---|
| Families or small groups | Two-bedroom layout and access to children’s pool and arcade |
| Golfers | Walkable to PGA National courses and driving range |
| Spa/relaxation stays | Direct access to the resort’s large spa and mineral pools |
Rooms and cottage layouts
Cottage guests can choose from the property’s room types when booking across the PGA National portfolio; the cottages themselves are two-bedroom units, while the resort also offers standard rooms and suites such as Room, Garden View; Room, Pool View; Deluxe Room, Resort View; Premium Suite; Premium Suite, with Sofa bed (PGA); Premium Suite, with Sofa bed (Junior); Premium Suite, Multiple Beds (Junior); Presidential Suite; and Room, Multiple Beds.
If you need specific bedding or an accessibility feature, confirm the exact room type and availability with the resort at booking — the cottage product is distinct from single-room options listed elsewhere in the resort inventory.
- Room, Garden View — option of 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Room, Pool View — option of 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Premium Suite and Presidential Suite options exist on the broader resort (different bed setups listed in the official room list)
| Representative cottage areas | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Living/dining area | Separate sitting space and dining nook; some cottages include kitchenettes |
| Bedrooms | Two bedrooms — varied bedding configurations depending on unit |
| Outdoor space | Patio or lawn-facing sitting area in many cottages |
Pools, spa and fitness — strengths and limits
The resort side of PGA National offers multiple pools (listings vary on the exact count), a children’s pool, poolside bar service, and dedicated adult-only mineral pools within The Spa at PGA National Resort. Pool hours and exact pool counts can vary by source, so check current hours on arrival.
The Spa at PGA National Resort is a large, public-access 40,000-square-foot facility with multiple treatment rooms, mineral pool experiences (the Waters of the World), sauna/steam and salon services. Some spa areas, including the Waters of the World mineral pools and locker rooms, are restricted to guests 18 and older.
- Nine outdoor pools are mentioned in some resort materials; other listings cite 2–5 pools — counts vary by source
- Spa signature features: three mineral pools, Himalayan salt rooms, multiple treatment rooms
- Fitness center is extensive (listed around 33,000 sq ft) with group classes included in resort fee
| Amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spa hours | Sunday–Thursday 9:30 am–5:00 pm; Friday–Saturday 9:30 am–6:00 pm (resort listing) |
| Spa age policy | Treatments and mineral pools generally restricted to 18+ (salon services often accept 16+) |
| Fitness center | Group classes and equipment access included in resort-fee benefits |
Dining and on-site bars
Cottage guests have access to multiple on-site dining venues across PGA National Resort, from casual to higher-end. Notable outlets include Birdie's Diner (all-day diner fare), Honeybelle (Southern/American breakfast, lunch and dinner), The Butcher's Club (steakhouse), Sushi by Boū (omakase counter), The MKT (grab-and-go café) and Sugarplume (chocolate café).
Some venues recommend or require reservations—The Butcher's Club and Sushi by Boū are popular for evening service—while casual outlets like Birdie’s and The MKT typically welcome walk-ins.
- Birdie's Diner — breakfast & lunch (hours vary by source but commonly opened for morning service)
- Honeybelle — serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; resort casual dress
- Sushi by Boū — intimate 12-seat omakase counter; reservations advised
| Venue | Typical service times / style |
|---|---|
| The Butcher's Club | Dinner; steakhouse, reservations recommended |
| Honeybelle | Breakfast–dinner; Southern/American menu |
| The MKT | Grab-and-go / café; early morning to early evening |
Location and nearby activities
The Cottages are part of PGA National Resort at 400 Avenue of the Champions in Palm Beach Gardens. The property sits steps from PGA National’s golf facilities and within driving distance of beaches and local attractions.
Nearby options include John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Juno Beach Pier and Jupiter Beach Park for beach activities, The Gardens Mall and Downtown at the Gardens for shopping, and Roger Dean Stadium and Lion Country Safari for family outings. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is commonly cited as about a 20–25 minute drive.
- PGA National golf courses and driving range walkable from the cottages
- Nearest major airport: Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) — roughly a 20–25 minute drive per resort materials
- Beaches, shopping and family attractions reachable by short drives
| Nearby | Typical travel time (sources vary) |
|---|---|
| The Gardens Mall | About 10–12 minutes by car |
| John D. MacArthur Beach State Park | Approximately 14 minutes by car |
| Downtown at the Gardens | Roughly 8–10 minutes by car |
Pros and cons — honest summary
The property offers space, access to a major spa and championship golf, and multiple on-site dining options — all inside a large resort complex. That combination is the main draw for guests who plan to use those facilities.
On the downside, value depends on resort fees and how much you’ll spend on food, spa services and optional add-ons; some factual details (pool count, parking rates, exact pet fees) vary across listings, so expect to confirm specific costs before booking.
- Pros:
- - Two-bedroom cottage layout and private-feeling accommodations
- - Direct access to PGA National golf, a large spa and many dining venues
- - Family-friendly with a children’s pool and activities
- Cons:
- - Resort fees and a la carte dining/spa can add to the total stay cost
- - Some policies (pet fees, minimum check-in age) vary across channels; confirm directly
- - Pool counts, hours and some service details are listed differently across sources
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Resort fee inclusions | Covers parking, Wi‑Fi, fitness access and some classes — but other services are extra |
| Spa access & charges | Spa amenities are extensive but may require a minimum spend or day-pass for full access |
| Pet & check-in policies | Many listings show pet fees and different minimum check-in ages; verify with the resort |
