Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa

Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa stands out among Vero Beach’s oceanfront properties as the personal project of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, the Grammy-winning musician and her longtime producer husband, who conceived the resort as a reflection of their own taste rather than as a franchise investment. The ninety-four-room property sits directly on Ocean Drive facing the Atlantic, and its design draws on a clean, modern aesthetic built around crisp whites, ocean blues, and open, breezy public spaces that feel distinct from the more traditional Old Florida look found at some neighboring properties. The Estefans have talked publicly about wanting to create a place that captured the relaxed sophistication of their own travels, and that personal vision runs through the property from the lobby design down to the menu choices at its restaurants.

The resort’s dining and bar program centers on Wave Kitchen & Bar, which serves as the primary restaurant, along with a Cabana Bar positioned for poolside and beach service. Guests can also arrange private oceanfront dining, a touch that appeals to couples celebrating anniversaries or milestone occasions who want a more secluded meal steps from the water. In-room dining rounds out the food and beverage offerings for guests who prefer not to leave their rooms at all.

Wellness is a significant part of the resort’s identity, with a full-service spa offering treatments alongside the pool and beach amenities that guests expect from an upscale oceanfront property. The pool area itself is designed as a central gathering space, distinct from the beach but close enough that guests move easily between the two throughout the day. Costa d’Este also markets itself as a destination for weddings and small meetings, with venue space designed to take advantage of the oceanfront setting for ceremonies and receptions.

While the property is professionally managed on a day-to-day basis under a hospitality management arrangement, ownership remains with the Estefans personally, which places it firmly outside the category of a national or regional hotel chain despite its polished, resort-level amenities. That distinction matters for travelers specifically seeking out independently owned lodging rather than a branded chain property, since Costa d’Este offers a scale and amenity set closer to a full resort while still being the product of a single ownership group with a direct personal connection to the property rather than a corporate portfolio. For visitors drawn to Vero Beach’s beachside district who want higher-end amenities than a small inn can offer, without staying at a chain-branded resort, Costa d’Este fills that particular niche on Ocean Drive.