The Ultimate Palm Beach Travel Guide
Palm Beach, Florida is at once luxuriously sophisticated and effortlessly casual. A tiny beach town dazzling with affluence. It’s the kind of place you waste away days lunching with the ladies, shopping in boutiques, golfing a few rounds, or just sipping rosé poolside with friends. Palm Beach is preppy, vibrant, and ritzy. It’s lavish. It’s luxury. It’s a little over the top. And (are you surprised?) I LOVE IT.
Palm Beach is a secluded oasis for the jet-set (and around 40 billionaires), and it’s long reigned as one of America’s most iconic zip codes. A weekend visiting Palm Beach – whether you’re going for a girls trip, a family weekend or a romantic getaway, is always a good idea. Especially in the winter months when PB’s balmy, perfect Florida weather beckons, and a trip full of sunning, shopping, and golfing is just what the doctor ordered.
So what should you do when you get there? I’ve got you covered.
Table of Contents
The best hotels in Palm Beach
White Elephant Palm Beach
If you’re looking for a PRIME location right in the middle of Palm Beach and refined, boutique hotel service that will blow you away, look no further than the ultra-chic White Elephant hotel. With only 19 rooms and 13 suites, the White Elephant Palm Beach feels like staying at a friend’s impeccably designed beach house (if your friend happened to collect modern art and serve poolside rosé on demand). The suites were perfect for our family – spacious, stylish, and just a short stroll to sooo much shopping and the beach (which they’ll whisk you away on their golf cart to and set up a personal beach haven for you!!). There’s also a complimentary car to take you anywhere in town ( like Buccan my favorite restaurant!) and adorable bikes too! It’s that rare find that balances five-star polish with small-hotel warmth – a true hidden gem in the heart of Palm Beach.
How to get free perks when booking the White Elephant Palm Beach or any of the hotels on this list!
The Four Seasons Palm Beach
In my opinion, no one ever beats the Four Seasons brand in terms of service. So if you’re looking for an ultra-luxe, beautiful, beachfront resort to base your Palm Beach vacation from, this is hands down my pick.
We recently did a trip to the Four Seasons Palm Beach in Florida and had the best time with our toddler son. The food was amazing, the pool was so beautiful, the room was super spacious and had the BEST view of the beach and my son absolutely loved every part of this hotel – which always makes for a great vacation for mom and dad, too! Their big family pool and their toddler room were highlights (they have a toddler room with toys, a slide, etc., it was awesome!) This hotel had everything figured out for families , but whether or not you’re a family, you’ll love this hotel – I highly recommend checking into the Four Seasons Palm Beach.
Shop our matching family outfits here
How to get free perks when booking the Four Seasons Palm Beach or any of the hotels on this list!
The Brazilian Court Hotel
This 1920s boutique hotel has been legendary for a century, but don’t worry, it’s been modernized for the 21st century with high-class dining, service and spa facilities, while still maintaining its elegant history, when Cary Grant, Clark Gable and Greta Garbo were regular visitors, and that subtle celebrity touch remains throughout. Did you know the Brazilian Court was where Sofia Vergara had her rehearsal dinner?!
The rooms here are Spanish Colonial design with dark mahogany wood to make the spaces feel cozy and homey. And they also have adorable Lilly Pulitzer bikes for guest to use around town.
Photo via Palm Beach Daily News
Be sure to check out their restaurant for the ultimate ladies-who-lunch vibe. Award-winning New York chef Daniel Boulud has created an incredible restaurant experience with Café Boulud, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a mixture of indoor and open terrace settings. This place is a scene.
Check rates for your dates here
The Breakers Palm Beach
The timeless Breakers Palm Beach was built in 1896 and, more than 100 years later, it still remains as one of Florida’s most luxurious and famous resorts. This celebrity haven is opulent, spacious, and luxurious.
With nine restaurants, The Breakers is the kind of resort you really don’t need to leave (my kinda resort!!). The nautical Seafood Bar is amazing its cocktails and extensive raw bar; you must try the Seafood Bar Mary, with bacon-infused vodka, a house made Bloody Mary mix, and a chilled jumbo prawn.
What to do in Palm Beach
Bike The Lake Trail:
If you’re lucky, your hotel might have complimentary bikes for guests, or you can rent one from Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop. Biking is one of my favorite ways to get around PB because you get to see all the GORGEOUS houses and beaches. So much fun.
Shop on Worth Ave
Shopping on Worth Ave isn’t just shopping, it’s a lifestyle for Palm Beachers. New York City may have Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills has Rodeo Drive. But Palm Beach (and let’s be honest, Florida as a whole), is all about Worth Avenue. The birthplace of Lilly Pulitzer’s first boutique and home to pretty much every one of today’s most fashionable and exclusive luxury brands, as well as some gorgeous restaurants, art galleries and more.
Photo by @eva_darling
Where to eat in Palm Beach
Buccan – Super chic scene and small plates. SOO GOOD!!! get the empanadas ( i will dream about these!), the hot dog appetizer (sounds weird but it’s insanely good) and the swordfish. This place is a must on any trip to Palm Beach! They also have a sushi bar called IMOTO next door.
Lola41 – I loved this spot for dinner and some of the best spicy margs I’ve ever had. Lola41 is the latest from Nantucket restaurateur Marco Coelho, and it is Palm Beach’s hot spot. They call themselves a ‘neo-global bistro and sushi bar’ and their concept is 41 degrees of longitude/latidude – LoLa stands for longitude latitude and the number 41 represents the specific parallel that LoLa of Nantucket (the original Lola41) resides on. All aspects of the restaurant are influenced from the countries and regions that the 41st parallel crosses through, from the decor and atmosphere, to everything on the menu. Definitely be sure to have a reservation and don’t miss out on the lobster fried rice – omg!
Honor Bar – A Palm Beach classic that nails the casual-chic vibe. Come for the crisp martinis, stay for the famous chicken sandwich and the scene — it’s always buzzing, always effortless.
Echo – Sushi, dim sum, yum. Everything here is incredible and a cant-miss if you love Asian food. JETSET TIP: Happy Hour is Monday thru Friday: 5 PM – 6 PM, and features half-priced cocktails and sushi in their lounge and terrace. Yes please. Reservations are recommended, and dress is cocktail chic.
Harry’s – a super cute restaurant where you may just see celebrities like Michael Jordan!
Pizza al Fresco – OMG I dream about this pizza. Don’t miss Pizza Al Fresco if you love a cute outdoor restaurant with to-die-for-pizzas (even gluten free pizza too!) There’s also great salads, too!
Celis Produce for acai bowls!
Al Fresco at the Par Three Golf – great spot for lunch. Definitely need a reservation.
Renato’s – If alfresco Italian dining is what you feel like in Palm Beach, look no further than Renato’s.
Seafood Bar at the Breakers – If you’re looking for the fanciest, scene-iest spot in PB, Seafood Bar at the breakers might be it. I love this place for its atmosphere, people-watching, the thirty-six-foot aquarium bar (!!!!) and of course the incredible seafood.
What to pack for Palm Beach
of course, pack your pastels & tropical prints!
The best outfits for Palm Beach
this is the linen embroidered dress I’m wearing here at Lola41 in Palm Beach
the cutest earrings!
The best swimwear for Palm Beach
Enjoy your time in PB!!!
xx
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