Whether you’re playing a round of golf, biking along Lake Trail, strolling along Worth Avenue, or dining at the island’s plethora of buzzy restaurants–there is so much to love about Palm Beach. That magical combination of natural beauty and sophistication is what has lured so many to Palm Beach over the years. With an endless array of high-end restaurants, shops and places to stay on the island, it’s difficult to pick favorites–but here are our current loves:
Where to Stay in Palm Beach
The Colony Hotel: Palm Beach’s famous pink hotel is a chic maximalist’s dream. Enter the arched, palm-fringed oasis to find a bright and boldly patterned boutique hotel with jungle-inspired murals and art deco details. The hotel boasts uniquely decorated rooms and suites with vibrant headboards, blooming wallpaper and wide windows. It’s charmingly colorful, from the sage green poolside lounge chairs to the tropical accents throughout. Grab a glass of rosé to sip poolside and you will feel like you are living in Slim Aarons’ world.
The Breakers: Home to everyone from the Rockefellers to the Vanderbilts, The Breakers is Palm Beach’s most iconic luxury hotel. The landmark building, founded in 1896 by industrialist Henry Flagler, has welcomed celebrities and socialites for more than a century. Set along a private and sandy half-mile strip of beach, the expansive property also has four pools and six jacuzzis, with a smattering of restaurants and bars sprinkled throughout to satisfy any cravings. For those longing to do more than lounge, the hotel offers a wide array of activities, from tennis lessons to kayaking.
Four Seasons: The island’s only five-star, five-diamond luxury resort occupies a prime stretch of beachfront just outside of downtown PB. Be sure to book in at Florie’s, the hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant in partnership with three Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco, serving up summery specialties like heirloom tomato and peach carpaccio.
Where to Eat in Palm Beach
Buccan: One of the island’s premier hot spots, Buccan is nearly impossible to nab a reservation for — but if you can snag one, don’t miss the Yaki Soba fettuccine, with maine lobster and green chilis. Chef Clay Conley’s beloved James Beard-nominated restaurant hums with a convivial atmosphere that’s perfect for date night or small groups. The warmly-lit space is the ideal backdrop for innovative small plates, which range from Peruvian hamachi tiradito to confit duck legs with celery root pancake.
Pizza al Fresco: At Pizza al Fresco, you’re getting exactly what you’re looking for: drool worthy thin-crust pizza, served up under a bright blue umbrella beneath the Florida sunshine. Set in a courtyard dotted with towering palms wrapped in twinkle lights, this charming spot hidden down Via Mizner is famous for its frutti di mare pizza, decked out with calamari, baby scallops and shrimp fired up in the wood burning brick oven.
Café Boulud: The quintessential ode to French fine dining, Daniel Boulud’s restaurant tucked into the Brazilian Court Hotel has been a destination for Palm Beach goers since it opened its doors in 2003. Centered around a gurgling fountain, the open-air terrace transports you to some far-flung European locale, where the focus is on local ingredients and fresh seafood. Classics like dover sole are worth returning for again and again, while fresh takes on Maine lobster salad — dressed up with fennel and pomegranate — liven up the traditional menu.
Where to Shop in Palm Beach
Aerin Palm Beach: Pastels, palm-leaf prints and chic straw bags crown the shelves at Aerin’s Palm Beach location. Helmed by Aerin Lauder, the granddaughter of beauty mogul Estée Lauder, the store is beautifully curated to include candles, the brand’s signature scents, bathing suits and more. Be sure to pick up a copy of Assouline’s book on Palm Beach, written by Aerin Lauder herself.
Veronica Beard Palm Beach: We loved creating our VB x L’Etoile Sport capsule tennis collection with the brand last summer, and we love the brand’s chic aesthetic. Located in the Royal Poinciana Plaza, the store offers all your chic essentials for a PB vacation.
The Kemble Shop: Tucked behind the island’s most Instagrammable doors is a tropical wonderland bursting with colorful tunics, dresses, furniture and decor. Even if you’re just window shopping — although, you’ll be hard pressed to leave empty handed — the concept store is a must-see for its ivy-covered exterior alone. Inside, it’s decked out like your chicest friend’s home, with all sorts of stylish accessories for your home and closet.
What to Do in Palm Beach
Golfing: Palm Beach is a golf lovers paradise, and it’s hard to beat the Par 3 Golf Course. Ranked as the top oceanfront golf course in Florida, the gorgeous green offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal. With holes ranging from 81 to 211 yards and three sets of tees on each, there’s an endless amount of variety as you make your way through the lush landscape and lakes. Before you hit the links, you’ll want to slip into our Zip Front Dress, which is perfect for taking you all the way to the 19th hole
Lake Trail: Grab your bike (or rent one from your hotel) and head to scenic Lake Trail. The sunny waterfront strip is 5 ½ miles and goes down the west side of the island. You’ll love the views of Lake Worth Lagoon, harbors dotted with yachts and some of the prettiest houses in the area.
The Flagler Museum: The Gilded Age estate was completed at the turn of the 20th century. Its stately white columns and red brick roof are hyperbolically Palm Beach, and inside, the museum has been painstakingly restored to its original glory. Beyond aesthetics, it’s a brilliant place to learn about the culture and history of Palm Beach.