MY FAVORITE PLACES IN PALM BEACH
Dreaming of palm trees and sandy beaches yet? October 30th brought with it a few inches of snow to Boston so sunshine and warm weather are on my mind for sure!
I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Palm Beach for work. Since childhood, I’ve spent most Spring Breaks in Siesta Key, Florida on the west coast so I consider that my home away from home but having the chance to travel to Palm Beach has opened my eyes to the beauty of Florida’s east coast.
Palm Beach has the feel of a city but without too many skyrises offering visitors that beach town vibe with an urban undertone. It’s worth sitting down and planning a winter get away to Palm Beach and I’m happy to share some great places to eat, stay and visit while you’re there!
HOTELS
There are so many great hotels and resorts in the Palm Beach area. I’ve listed three of my favorites and they all have amazing restaurants and bars. I highly recommend visiting these three not only for great food and overall dining experience but to check out the beautiful interiors. They’re stunning!
The Breakers Resort: Driving up to the grandeur of the Breakers Resort makes you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to when the hotel was rebuilt in 1926 by Henry Flagler’s heirs after a fire burned the wooden structure down. The hotel was modeled after the Villa Medici in Rome and you’ll definitely feel transported as you walk into the entry hall.
The Colony Palm Beach is Palm Beach’s pinkest hotel located at the eastern end of Worth Avenue. Think chic and upscale casual with their Beach Butlers (delivering gourmet bites in custom Yeti coolers to you), Beach cruisers, Paddle Boards and many more activities. If that’s too much activity for you, just come in for a lovely glass of pink rosé and chill overlooking the pool and then move to one of the many restaurants on site for lunch or dinner.
Making its debut in the Palm Beach hotel scene is The White Elephant. The new outpost of this Nantucket Resort is designed with an International Chic meets Palm Beach style. The exterior looks like a stately home and the rooms feel like nothing was spared; from the upscale furniture to the artwork. The famous Nantucket Lola 41 restaurant introduces Lola 41 Palm beach with its globally inspired menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dine in its beautiful indoor room with an attached outdoor patio that feels like a space you could hang out at all day long!
Restaurants
The outdoor patio at St. Ambroeus
St Ambroeus is the latest outpost from this legendary Milanese restaurant chain. After arriving in Manhattan in 1982 and spreading around to several more outposts throughout Manhattan and Southampton, St Ambroeus Palm Beach opened in the fall of 2016.
The Honor Bar, located at the Royal Poinciana Plaza, is a fabulously small and chic eatery, with several locations nationwide, this feels like a private bar. The leather banquettes are large and elevated from the floor, with space between your neighbors to give a very private experience. The menu is small but the selections are incredible and definitely filling. My friends and I started with the delicious Dip Duo and then I had the incredible Shrimp Louie.
Henry’s Palm Beach a wonderful casual restaurant in the Breakers Hotel (one of many restaurants to choose from) that has playful twists on classic comfort food. HMF is a great place to go for chic drinks before or after dinner. I went after dinner at Henry’s and enjoyed a prosecco while taking in the beautiful historic architecture throughout the entire hotel and bar area.
MUSEUMS
The Flagler Museum
Henry Flagler not only created Palm Beach but many other important Florida landmarks as well, such as the Overseas Railroad to Key West.
Flagler’s own art collection is displayed, including important revolving exhibits featuring renowned painters, sculptors, craftspeople, and photographers. Guided tours are available, and afterwards, be sure to grab a bite at the museum’s café.
Norton Museum of Art: Home to some 7,000 works from Europe, China, and the US, the gallery is in fact the largest of its kind in Florida. In addition to its many galleries, there’s a lovely courtyard, a restaurant, and a sculpture garden. A variety of free tours are available, including fun after-hour tours on Friday evenings, along with lectures and educational programing.
The following link to Luxe Interior magazine highlights four more museums I recommend visiting: Luxe Interior Design
BEACHES, SHOPPING, SITE SEEING
The International Polo Club: 3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington, FL
Delray Yacht Cruises: A block down from the Intl. Polo Club, the Atlantic Avenue Bridge crosses the Intracoastal Waterway, and you’ll walk past all types of watercraft, from built-for-speed jet-boats to luxurious yachts. Among them are the sleek boats of Delray Yacht Cruises, which will take you on a cruise along the Intracoastal in style. Delray Beach is known for some of Florida’s best outdoor art festivals. Bring your bathing suit and flip-flops, too, because Atlantic Avenue ends right at the beach.
Rosemary Square: 700 S. Rosemary Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida
Worth Avenue: Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, Florida
Antique Row Art & Design District: South Dixie Highway (and nearby streets), West Palm Beach, Florida
Circa Who: One of the resources I’ve used to furnish my clients’ home in Palm Beach is Circa Who, where my friend and owner Scott Mast and his partner Juan Goiricelaya find the unique pieces that are circa 20th century featuring Mid Century Modern design and Hollywood Regency meets vintage Palm Beach. They also have fun vintage clothing and jewelry collections and the Mario Lopez Torres furniture showroom.
