Colony Hotel- Palm Beach

With Miami being slow in September, we opted for a staycation in Palm Beach for the weekend. We specifically selected The Colony Hotel because of its pet-friendly policy, as we wanted to bring our Golden Retriever along. Established in 1947, the hotel underwent a significant renovation in 2022, maintaining some of its iconic pink color and much of its charm. Each guest room is exquisitely designed and uniquely customized. While the hotel exudes an old-school charm, it has been updated. Situated just off Worth Avenue, the main shopping street, and a block from the beach, the hotel offers an ideal location for both fun and sun! Palm Beach is renowned for its glamorous beaches, stunning estates, and upscale shopping and dining options. As The Colony proudly declares, "One foot in the sand and one foot on Worth Avenue!"

On our first day in Palm Beach, we arrived at the Colony Hotel. Driving into Palm Beach, with the stunning water and perfectly positioned palm trees, we soon came across a charming baby pink hotel. The valet warmly welcomed us and directed us to the check-in desk. Every staff member, from the valet to the guest associates, was exceptionally friendly and made sure our dog felt truly welcome. We were shown to our room, where we found beautiful flowers and champagne that my boyfriend had arranged to be there. The hotel collaborates with various partners and had arranged a beautiful setup. They even provided custom dog bowls for our pup. We enjoyed the champagne while exploring the hotel. It was impressive to see how close the beach was and how convenient the location was to the main dining and shopping areas. After changing, we went to the hotel bar for drinks before dinner. Similar to Miami, Palm Beach is a destination where making dinner reservations in advance is a must. The hotel offers a complimentary car service to transport guests anywhere on the island within a 2-mile radius. Our dinner reservation was at Buccan, a highly recommended restaurant, and it certainly lived up to its reputation. I highly recommend trying the steak tartare, sweet corn agnolotti, and tomahawk steak.

On the second day of our trip, we started by having breakfast at Swiftys, the hotel's restaurant known for its amazing breakfast menu, as well as lunch and dinner options. It is highly recommended to make a reservation in advance at this popular spot as well . Following breakfast, we went to Worth Avenue to browse the shops. During the off-season, many shops are closed on Sundays, so it's advisable to choose another day for shopping, especially in the summer season, which typically runs from November to May. However, we managed to have lunch at Bice before returning to the hotel for drinks by the pool, where live music plays from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. In the evening, we had a reservation at Sant Ambroeus, an upscale restaurant originally from Milan and now with multiple locations in New York and Palm Beach. The restaurant served delicious martinis and veal Milanese. Back at the hotel, we enjoyed one last drink at the bar, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of Palm Beach. The hotel offers a convenient texting service for guests to request anything at any time, with quick responses and daily itineraries of hotel activities. Our day ended perfectly with a car arriving within five minutes after a simple text to the front desk. It was truly another fantastic day!

Despite the numerous dining choices within walking distance, we opted to have breakfast at the hotel on our last morning in Palm Beach due to the unbearable heat in Miami in September. The hotel features a charming cafe called Pink Paradise Cafe with a delightful menu. We indulged in some smoothies, sampled a few treats from the bakery section, and picked up something for our furry friend. Additionally, the cafe offers delicious wraps and sandwiches that can be prepared for beach picnics. We took our breakfast to the lobby and settled into one of the many seating areas. It was then that I noticed the Dolce & Gabbana Pop-Up shop. I appreciate how boutique hotels are incorporating designer pop-up shops, providing a unique shopping experience compared to regular stores. Following breakfast, we decided to explore the area using a golf cart (yes, they have an adorable golf cart service for beach transportation and sightseeing) to admire the stunning homes. Before leaving Palm Beach, we made a pit stop at Bice, a restaurant located near Worth Avenue, for lunch.

Having spent an extended period in Palm Beach for the first time, I have come to appreciate its remarkable qualities. I am eagerly looking forward to returning and exploring the two new boutique hotels set to open by the end of 2024. Exploring new hotels is a passion of mine that brings great joy, and Palm Beach certainly offers a diverse selection!

Other restaurants to try:

Lola 41

Cafe Boulud

Renatos

Imoto

Ta-Boo

La Goulu

Safe Travels!

Xo Carlin