The Marriot Resort & Spa is the new crown jewel among Manatee accommodations

I was recently invited to spend an evening at the new Marriott Resort & Spa in Palmetto. The hotel is adjacent to the Bradenton Area Convention Center, providing Manatee County with a 5-star destination resort just in time for its soon-to-be-completed renovation and expansion.

The Marriott Resort & Spa adds another luxury tower to a riverfront that had been dominated by the Riviera Dunes development. If someone had told me twenty years ago that the Palmetto side of the riverfront would be awash in such opulence, I might have laughed.

Riviera Dunes initially failed, a victim of the collapse of the real estate bubble that swelled in the early aughts. Today, however, the slice of waterfront property is among the most beautifully developed areas in the region, and Marriot’s new offering is a perfect fit.

The Social, located in the resort lobby.

From the moment you enter the lobby, you are struck by the attention to detail in the resort's styling, which is a sort of mid-century modern meets '70s-themed luxury. The ample open space frames The Social, a casual bar and grill that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at tables surrounding the gorgeous round bar. The space flows into the large pool and sundeck, including the Revive Pool Bar.

To the right of the entrance, guests are greeted by a plushly styled registration desk, which leads to a similarly gilded bank of elevators. Our pool-view suite was awash with luxurious touches, from the uber-comfortable king-size bed to the glass-doored mini-fridge and Elly coffee/espresso maker. The shower and bathroom were similarly swank.

After check-in, I enjoyed a thorough deep tissue massage in the Revive Spa that was on par with the very best spa experiences I’ve had the privilege to indulge in. The weekend began with perfect relaxation that was easily sustained throughout the stay. We enjoyed a drink at the pool bar before taking a tour of the resort’s beach club, which includes activities such as life-sized chess, pickleball, bocci ball, and beach volleyball, plus a second pool.

The Beach Club at the Marriot Resort & Spa in Palmetto.

Later on, we suppered at Oyster River, the resort’s rooftop fine dining restaurant. Named after the Manatee River’s original moniker, the outdoor seating, complete with striking views of the river and marina, is perfect for the golden hour. There are also a limited number of indoor tables available near the well-appointed bar where diners can enjoy a libation ahead of their meal.

The rooftop deck at Oyster River.

Oyster River features an inspired menu created by Executive Chef Anthony Castro. With over 25 years of experience in esteemed five-star and five-diamond establishments such as The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Shangri-La Hotels, The Peninsula Hotel, Trump Organization, Ocean Reef Club, and most recently, Marriott International, the Liverpool native brings culinary bona brings a unique culinary perspective to the resort's dining establishments.

We began the meal with oyster Rockafeller ($29), which did not disappoint. We were immediately impressed by the innovative craft cocktail menu. We enjoyed the Ocean Pearl ($17: Ketel One Vodka, Guava, Lemon, Coconut, Fresh Mint) and the Speakeasy ($15: Tito’s Vodka, Ruby Port, Ginger Purée, White Grape Juice, Lime, Soda).

For our main course, I went with Poulet à la Oscar ($56), featuring sumptuous Lump Crab, Truffle Achiote Oil, and Skordalia Potato Puree. My better half opted for the Seabass ($68) with Chorizo Onion Marmalade, Citrus Beurre Blanc & Chives Oil, with Parsnip Puree. We were undecided as to which was better but fully agreed that both were quite spectacular.

The night was still young, so we walked to the nearby Dockside Bar & Grille at Riviera Dunes to enjoy a beer. From there, we took a 5-minute Lyft into downtown Bradenton and enjoyed a bottle of wine at Chateau 13.

The following day, we were pleased to find the pool was already open when we awoke. We dutifully soaked up some sun before lunching at The Social. I enjoyed the sinfully delicious Palmetto Burger ($21), which features two large patties with cheese and bacon jam on a pretzel roll with a generous side of crispy fries. She enjoyed perfectly grilled eggplant and veggies over rice ($25).

The Marriott Resort & Spa offers first-rate accommodations that would pass muster in any city worldwide. Having one in Manatee County not only pairs perfectly with what will be a larger and more dynamic convention center but also offers vacation, staycation, and business travel accommodations that have not been previously available north of Sarasota or south of St. Petersburg.

The impending completion of "The Yard," an outdoor entertainment space that will play host to concerts and other special events (see rendering below), will add another impressive facet to the resort's portfolio.

The Yard at the Marriot Resort & Spa in Palmetto.

Dennis "Mitch" Maley is a novelist, as well as an editor and opinion columnist for The Bradenton Times. In addition to his regular Sunday column, he hosts our weekly podcast and does occasional theater, restaurant, and wine reviews. He is a graduate of Shippensburg University and later served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. Click here for his bio. His novels and short story collection are available here.