The Seagate offers 154 guestrooms ranging from the Courtyard category (interior views) to the luxury Presidential Suite. Well appointed, spacious and both comfortable and functional, they are decorated with flair in fine materials and in a sober yet classy palette. The standard rooms look out onto a central yard meaning that these rooms are probably the quietest, although they have no street or sea view. A king bed, dressed in Egyptian cotton sheets, a soft plaid and more pillows than you could ever find use for, has either side of it a bedside table with telephone and MP3 compatible alarm clock while a butler lay at its foot. A spacious working desk with various power points and a fully-stocked minibar can be found opposite as can the 42" flatscreen television and DVD player. A generous wardrobe conceals the safe, iron and ironing board and umbrella with additional amenities including a coffee maker, microwave and bathrobes and slippers. The bathrooms boast marble walk-in showers with high quality toiletries, separate WC, a solid vanity with good mirrors, hairdryer and practical lighting for make-up application.

The larger guestrooms have additional features such as private balconies with street or sea views, seating areas of varying sizes, both shower and bathtub and simply a larger surface area for more comfort. The junior suites have a partially sectioned off living space with an extra flatscreen television and coffee table while the parlor suite enjoys a second bedroom and additional bathroom. The largest suite, the presidential, boasts a full kitchen and separate dining area as well as a commodious salon with of course the finest ocean views.

From the exterior the Seagate is almost the stereotypical America beach resort hotel (from our European eyes anyhow); a huge white-wash building taking up an entire block adorned with striped blue and white awnings and flanked by palm trees which risk outgrowing the hotel. Upon entering the hotel's lobby there's no doubting what will first grab your attention: a couple of huge aquariums in the middle of the hall with various species of fish happily swimming around. There are other hints at the hotel's ocean location with oyster-like light shades, vases filled with shells and beautiful examples of coral displayed on ornamental stands. To one side of the fish tanks is a seating area featuring angular-armed soft chairs around coffee tables with the concierge desk at the end of the space. Over to the other side is a central occasional table with a tall vase of flowers as well as the marble framed reception desk behind which is a scaly backdrop. Also behind the welcome desk is an army of superb receptionists who are at once charming, professional and efficient.

In terms of wellness and fitness facilities, you couldn't ask for more. The hotel boasts both a top-of-the-range gym with both cardio and weights machines as well as a full-service spa. This latter, which measures 8,000ft², houses seven treatment rooms, including one for couples and one with Vichy shower. Skin care services, body treatments, therapeutic massages, enhancements, nail services and waxing are all available with Elemis products being used throughout. Several packages are available too while there is also a yoga studio which holds classes. The space as a whole is beautifully kept and appointed with orchids, ambient candles and a relaxation area with beverages. The fitness centre, which is equipped with towels, water and fruit, has a pool view and personal fitness classes are available on request. Just outside from the spa and gym is the hotel's outdoor swimming pool which is nicely secluded and surrounded by sun loungers and parasols.

Perhaps the biggest pull of the Seagate is its chic beach club situated right on the shore. Spread over two levels, it offers both casual and fine dining (see 'Food and Drink') as well as full pool and beach services. Not only does it have an outdoor swimming pool (with guards on hand) suitable for small kids but there are male and female locker rooms complete with shower facilities as well as water sports activities and complimentary wifi. Guests can get towels from the clubhouse and then set themselves down on the parasol-shaded loungers laid out on the sand while a member of staff takes care of their drinks order - what more could you possibly wish for? Well, a cabana, which are also available for rental!

The hotel as a whole is in tip-top condition and is clean and tidy and quite honestly a pleasure to walk around. Access to the rooms is quick and simple and there are a couple of elevators to get you there. The hotel offers complimentary wifi throughout the property as well as a secure valet parking service. A gift shop is located in the hotel's lobby which sells beach wear and toys, souvenirs, bath products and local food and drink.

With a total of four dining options, you won't be stuck for choice at the Seagate. The first of these, and probably the most underwhelming, is the etc café which offers snacks such as soups, salads and sandwiches as well as pastries, cheeses, fruit, yoghurts and hot and cold beverages. Open from early morning until late, it is not the most attractive of venues its seating spills in an unsightly way into the hotels common areas. We found it to be expensive for what it was and would recommend that guests go elsewhere for their breakfast.

The other eatery on the main hotel premises is the hugely popular Atlantic Grille. Open every night for dinner and seasonally for lunch (closed during the sweltering summer months), it is one of Delray Beach's most popular spots and has live entertainment from Tuesday to Saturday. Examples of some of the restaurant's starters include a seafood bisque, devilled eggs and grilled beef sliders, while for mains sautéed swordfish, North Atlantic lobster and a center cut filet are all tempting options. The space, like the lobby, has a huge aquarium as well as a bar which is open until late during the season. Happy hour takes place between 4pm and 7pm and you can enjoy an American brunch between 9am and 2.30pm at the weekends.

Over at the Beach Club guests have the choice of casual dining on the lower deck or fine dining upstairs (where men require a jacket) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. The lunch menu, which can also be taken on the patio, features mainly salads and sandwiches with a few heartier options with the dinner menu mirroring that of the Atlantic Grille with a few extras such as pan roasted snapper, lobster tagliatelle and the Guiness-braise short rib. Head upstairs for a more elegant setting a milk-fed veal chop, the filet mignon or perhaps fennel and coriander-encrusted tuna. You'll need to reserve though as this is a very popular spot thanks to the stunning coastal views.

As the beach club is situated away from the main hotel, a complimentary car service is provided for guests to shuttle them between the two. All they need to do is alert staff that they require to be transferred from one to the other and one of too luxury four by fours will arrive shortly, if not immediately. In fact this service is available too for getting around Delray Beach - a driver will take guests anywhere within a five-mile radius of the hotel. During the high season an old-fashioned trolley takes guests around downtown Delray, a great adventure for young kids!