by For a taste of the sunny 1960s from south Florida that can be seen in Apple TV+’s new luxury suite, Palm Royale, check into The Colony, Palm Beach’s iconic 89-room boutique hotel.
Known as the Pink Paris thanks to its rose-hued facade (courtesy of custom Farrow & Ball paint), the hotel’s homey feel harkens back to its early years when it opened as a residence for members of society. family and friends in 1947. Since then it has hosted the likes of Judy Garland, Sophia Loren and Frank Sinatra, and served as a destination for fashion shows photographed by Slim Aarons.
Walk into the reception – known as the ‘Living Room’ – today, and you’ll be greeted by polished black terrazzo floors, a live flamenco guitarist and a whimsical de Gournay mural featuring Floridian flora and fauna (think monkeys, lemmings and cougars). – great for even the most discerning modern traveller.
Where?
To reach the Colony you’ll need to cross one of three newly renovated bridges to the 10.4-square-mile island of Palm Beach, Florida, whose immaculate palm-lined boulevards and glossy green lawns host long on the upper crust of America. and more than 50 billionaires live in them. Over the past two years, the town has seen a boom in luxury retail, hospitality and interior design, making it the perfect time for newcomers to visit.
Style
The hotel’s iconic decor – recently enhanced with a 2022 redesign by Kemble Interiors – epitomizes Palm Beach chic. The designers used a palette that reflects the natural beauty of the area, from the vibrant green palm trees to the blue of the sea at the beach, just a stone’s throw from The Colony’s entrance. It’s a fun, imaginative style that puts a smile on your face every time, including new custom de Gournay murals on every floor. Upstairs in the bedrooms you’ll find scalloped headboards, vintage club chairs and maximalist textiles, as well as pieces from the salable capsule furniture collection created by Society Social for The Colony, made from rattan and faux bamboo.
Which room?
Choose a Junior Suite and you’ll enjoy a spacious and stylish place to lay your head. The dreamy rooms are decorated in blues and brights, and have one king or two queen beds, a living area with a pull-out sofa and a bathroom, as well as amenities such as a Keurig coffee maker, mini-fridge and microwave. Another great option is the two-bedroom Goop Villa – the result of a collaboration with entrepreneur-turned-actress Gwyneth Paltrow, whose lifestyle brand partnered with New York design firm Ronen Lev to reimagine one of The Colony’s seven villas. The beautifully restored residence takes inspiration from the love of a pied-a-terre in Paris and is a great place to check in with the whole family.
Food & drink
Swifty’s, the hotel’s poolside restaurant, is the heart of the hotel and a great spot for people watching. During the day, local Ladies’ Lunch is a local favorite in the indoor/outdoor space, serving Key West poached pink shrimp, colorful Cobb salad, and lobster rolls with a tangy side.
After dark, as a live band plays, guests take their seats under leafy hanging gardens to enjoy a romantic dinner – highlights include the salt and pepper calamari and the double bone Colorado lamp chips – and those with the most stamina. the classic, clubby bar, where creative cocktails flow until the early hours.
Treat yourself to a big breakfast of corn-crusted French toast with caramelized banana and pecan maple syrup or a bagel with Catsmo New York smoked salmon and cream cheese.
extra curricular
If you’re staying at The Colony, you’re just steps away from the famous Worth Avenue shopping and dining strip (Palm Beach’s answer to Rodeo Drive). As well as big-name fashion designers like Chanel and Ralph Lauren, check out Church Mouse, a high-end charity shop that often hides rare gems.
For a glimpse into the fascinating history of Palm Beach, visit the Flagler Museum, the 75-room neoclassical Beaux-Arts museum built by oil tycoon Henry Flagler (Flagler put Palm Beach on the map after discovering in 1893 and building a railway to the area). Another cultural hit can be found at the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden, a beautiful oasis whose lush greenery complements an epic sculptural creation and provides a stunning insight into the artist’s studio.
Finally, the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach is a must-visit – redeveloped by architect Norman Foster in 2019, it has an amazing collection of masterpieces and emerging artists. The gallery also has a slick restaurant, The Restaurant at The Norton – don’t miss the tuna tacos – and a sculpture garden with pieces by Keith Haring, Paul Manship and Ugo Rondinone.
Rooms start from $499 per night in low season, excluding taxes. thecolonypalmbeach.com
