Experience the Lap of Luxury in Palm Beach
The Colony describes itself as Palm Beach's pinkest hotel.
Image: Courtesy Photo
Palm Beach is in the news a lot these days thanks to a certain ex-president based at Mar-a-Lago. Politics aside, the island has so much to offer, from pristine beaches to world-class shopping and plenty of ways to relax and unwind.
When to Go
Like everywhere else in Florida, the weather is at its best from November to April. But if you’re cool with the heat, you can enjoy Palm Beach at any time of year. Check your preferred hotel for Florida-resident packages or summertime deals if you’re heading there in the off season.
The Breakers' Gilded Age lobby.
Image: Courtesy Photo
Where to Stay
For unparalleled service at an iconic Florida landmark, there’s no place like The Breakers. Make sure to request a room overlooking the ocean so you can sleep with the balcony door open and listen to the waves lapping the shore at night. During the day, book a cabana so you can lounge by the pool in style. The Colony —which describes itself, aptly, as Palm Beach’s pinkest hotel—is another favorite, especially for its retro-cool decor by famed design firm Kemble Interiors, which also worked on Boca Grande’s Gasparilla Inn. Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa is also a hit with locals and tourists, with cheerful guest rooms designed by Jonathan Adler that are inspired by the colors of sun, sand and sea.
On swanky Worth Avenue, you can easily spend a lot of time—and dollars
What to Do
Palm Beach Island is known for swanky Worth Avenue, where you can easily spend a lot of time—and dollars—dipping in and out of storied shops, including the flagship Lilly Pulitzer boutique. But there’s so much more to do than shop. Sign up for a twilight yoga class at Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, where you can inhale salty sea air and exhale any stress you’re holding onto. At the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in nearby Delray Beach, stroll through Roji-En, which translates to “gardens of the drops of dew,” and experience a moment of Zen among the greenery. And you can’t visit West Palm Beach without booking a spa treatment. Our recs are The Breakers—its famous indoor-outdoor spa overlooks the Atlantic—and Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, which was crowned a five-star spa by Forbes this year.
Where to Eat
There’s no dearth of excellent restaurants in Palm Beach. Start your morning on a bright note with a fruit-forward juice, smoothie or bowl from Celis. At Sant Ambroeus, enjoy Instagram-worthy interiors alongside traditional Italian dishes. For a true taste of Palm Beach, make a dinner reservation at Buccan, where James Beard-nominated chef Clay Conley has been serving fusion favorites since 2011—think Maine lobster ceviche tartare, fried chicken katsu sliders, short rib empanadas and a hot dog panino with sauerkraut, Gruyere, mustard and chili.
Palm Beach Prep
Treat yourself at Lilly Pulitzer's flagship shop in Palm Beach.
Image: Courtesy Photo
A Book to Pack: Longtime Palm Beach resident Aerin Lauder—granddaughter of cosmetics magnate Estée—wrote Palm Beach as a guide to her favorite spots: restaurants, shops, historic places and more. Use it as a guide for your trip, then display it on your coffee table. It’s that pretty.
A Record to Put On: Dean Martin’s “Powder Your Face With Sunshine” feels like a throwback to West Palm Beach’s high-society history. “Powder your face with sunshine,” Martin croons. “Put on a great big smile. Make up your eyes with laughter—folks will be laughing with you in a little while.”
A Movie to Watch: The 1942 classic A Palm Beach Story has a plot that could be ripped from today’s headlines. A New York inventor needs cash to get his big idea off the ground, so his wife decides to help him by divorcing him and marrying an eccentric Florida millionaire with an equally eccentric sister.
Must Have Souvenir: Bring home a little Lilly P. from the Worth Avenue flagship store.
