A conversation with Daniel Hostettler of The Boca Raton
With a background in leading independent luxury properties, Daniel Hostettler draws upon the guiding principles of individuality, excellence, and craft in his role as president and CEO of The Boca Raton since 2021. This year, the luxury Florida resort debuts a dramatic transformation as it celebrates its 100th anniversary, opening in 1926 as the Cloister Inn. Hostettler shares his vision for protecting the legacy of The Boca Raton while stewarding the resort into its next century of hospitality by combining heritage, craft, and modernity.
What are your primary goals and responsibilities as president and CEO of The Boca Raton?
My focus is on empowering our teams to innovate, elevate, and deliver excellence across every touchpoint so that every guest experience feels effortless and genuine. We average 300 event bookings annually, from intimate C-suite retreats to full-resort buyouts. As we approach our centennial, our vision remains clear: more choice, better flow, and a continued sense of place—so that even the most complex programs feel personal and seamless.
What makes The Boca Raton a great destination for meetings and events?
The Boca Raton is where history and innovation meet. Across 200 acres of waterfront property, we offer five distinct hotels, 97,000 square feet of flexible event space, and access to world-class amenities, including our Forbes Five-Star Spa Palmera and signature dining by Major Food Group. Add to that our location—within easy reach of three international airports—and planners quickly find that the experience is both extraordinary and effortless.
How did the resort’s rich history, opening in 1926 as the Cloister Inn, factor into its recent $375 million reinvention?
Our reinvention was rooted in honoring Addison Mizner’s original 1926 vision while redefining it for a new generation. Working alongside the Boca Raton Historical Society and such design partners as Rockwell Group, we restored architectural details, revived Mizner’s Mediterranean spirit, and layered in contemporary luxury. Our reimagined resort celebrates its past while feeling completely of the moment.
What types of special programming, promotions, and incentives can groups enjoy in 2026 as part of the resort’s 100-year celebration?
Our 100th anniversary will be a celebration of legacy and imagination. Throughout 2026, groups can enjoy centennial-inspired culinary experiences, vintage cocktails, and wellness activations that draw from our glamorous history. We’ll offer commemorative amenities, custom décor, and a Centennial Events Guide to help planners integrate these touches into their programming. It’s a once-in-a-century opportunity to create events infused with nostalgia and sophistication.
How does The Boca Raton’s reinvention and renovation enhance the resort as a meetings destination?
The reinvention gives planners something rare: true flexibility within one resort. Each of our five hotels brings distinct style and scale, allowing planners to customize experiences while benefiting from integrated logistics and flow. Enhanced pre-function spaces, new outdoor venues, and improved production infrastructure make it easier than ever to bring ambitious concepts to life—without losing our defining warmth and personality.
What unique spaces, features, amenities, and experiences of the newly reinvented resort will appeal most to meeting and event planners?
Our spaces invite creativity. From grand waterfront lawns and rooftop terraces to private gardens and the marina, each venue tells its own story. The Harborside Pool Club becomes a show-stopping evening venue, while Beach Club offers sleek oceanfront spaces perfect for sunset receptions. Flybridge at The Yacht Club hosts intimate dinners with panoramic views. Every touchpoint—from room drops to curated menus—is designed to feel bespoke.
Beyond the meeting spaces, how might planners incorporate the incredible history and enduring allure of The Boca Raton into their events?
The Boca Raton’s century-long story is a planner’s dream. Whether hosting a 1920s-inspired cocktail hour, private tour of the Cloister Inn Museum, or centennial-themed gifting experience, the resort’s heritage adds authenticity and depth. It’s a chance for planners to craft events that feel connected to time, place, and purpose.
What do you envision for The Boca Raton’s next chapter, and how will the $375 million reinvention help position the resort to continue its legacy for another 100 years?
Our reinvention was never about change for its own sake; it was about positioning The Boca Raton for the next century. We’ve deepened our focus on wellness, culture, and culinary excellence, all while enhancing the guest journey. The goal remains timeless: Deliver experiences
that are effortlessly orchestrated, emotionally resonant, and uniquely Boca Raton.
What would you want to share about The Boca Raton as a meetings destination that might surprise, and resonate with, planners?
What surprises many planners is the breadth of possibility within a single campus. From drone shows over the pool to yacht departures from our private marina, from a MICHELIN Key-awarded suite to an after-party at Palm Court, The Boca Raton turns imagination into reality. Five hotels, one vision—every event elevated, every detail considered. It’s a destination that makes the extraordinary feel easy.
