Over the past few years, with the influx of New Yorkers and Californians calling South Florida home, high season in Palm Beach is no longer confined to the slightly-less-balmy winter months. In between Aspen for skiing (or après) and the Hamptons in summer, Palm Beach’s iconic The Colony Hotel operates as a year-round base for the society set, celebrities (you’re sure to see a Real Housewife or two) and a stylish mix of 20- and 30-somethings who’ve moved their business South post-pandemic.
The 93-room, midcentury stunner near designer-clad Worth Avenue enthusiastically embraces everything that has come to define Palm Beach: playful, custom-designed murals emblazoned with monkeys wearing pearls and holding parasols; artisan-crafted rattan and bamboo furniture curated as tastefully as if it were a photoshoot set; and a centerpiece pool immortalized in Slim Aarons photos that offers better people-watching than anywhere on South Beach. And did we mention the Dolce & Gabbana boutique in residence?
Permanent fixtures on the calendar include the wildly popular trivia night on Mondays and Sunday bingo. Still, even in the warmer months, when the city gets quieter, and outings often center around the water, The Colony doesn’t slow down. Here are several reasons you should book a summer getaway to Palm Beach’s “Pink Paradise.”
Seasonal reset
January may be when most people reevaluate (or set) their wellness goals, but summer marks the halfway point in the year — and in between barbecues and boat days, it doesn’t hurt to book some “me” time. A pioneer of clean beauty, luxury botanical healing brand Naturopathica will take over the Spa Suite this summer with facials dubbed “Defy” and “Chill” that work with lymphatic facial massage techniques, healing crystal therapy and firming LED.
On Friday mornings, start the day with beachside sun salutations alongside healer and health coach Jillian Steakin of Jillian’s Pop-Up Yoga. To work up a sweat, check the fitness schedule to see which celebrity workout is taking place for the season. (At press time, the Tracy Anderson Method was on the roster.)
VIP beach treatment
Sitting a block behind the Atlantic, your room is an easy stroll to the sand. Still, The Colony offers a few other sleek ways to move about the beach and spin around town, from complimentary beach cruisers to a pink vintage Land Rover Defender 110 with sea grape-print seats and a matching beach buggy.
To ensure a chic outing, beach butlers will arrange a stylish setup (no need to lift a finger) complete with striped chairs, a matching umbrella with tassels and a YETI cooler stocked with gourmet bites and drinks. It’s essentially a private beach club experience personalized for guests.
This summer, on Saturdays at 11 a.m., Mary Glazier, founder and surf instructor of Gurferlady, will offer lessons suited for all levels — so you can leave Palm Beach with a new skill that’ll have you feeling like a pro.
One-of-a-kind villas
Among the 93 accommodations, the most exclusive are the 14 multi-bedroom residences that make up a collection of villas, bungalows and penthouses. All have their own entrances and amenities (like washer/dryers and full kitchens), and the boutique hotel collaborates with different partners to give each a unique aesthetic and experience.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s goop took over one such two-bedroom residence, a first-time endeavor for the lifestyle brand to celebrate its 15th anniversary in October 2023. In the 2,524 square-foot goop Villa, New York-based designer Ronen Lev melded the distinctive Palm Beach look (pink and seafoam hues, a hand-painted palm mural by Lilly Pulitzer) with a modern, feminine Parisian feel (custom botanical wallpaper from Fromental, arched doorways). Bathrooms are filled with goop skincare and body products. Plus, you can order a goop smoothie via room service or opt to have G. Label by goop clothing waiting for you in the closet.
Buzzy poolside dining
When Upper East Side bistro Swifty’s was revived in Palm Beach, and the pop-up concept quickly became a permanent fixture at The Colony. Spilling out onto the poolside patio, Swifty’s is a favorite for its decadent weekend brunch (think cereal-crusted French toast with caramelized bananas and a croque madame on brioche with prosciutto) and lighter pool fare such as blackened mahi tacos, sweet gem Caesar salad and the crowd-pleasing pink lobster roll.
Poolside evenings commence with live music at 7, creating a lively atmosphere to meet for cocktails before indulging in British chef Tom Whitaker’s more dressed-up fare, like seafood towers, caviar service and miso-glazed seared Chilean sea bass. The high-top tables near the bar are also a popular spot to gather before heading out to one of the nearby restaurants lining Worth Avenue, like upscale American eatery Buccan or French-inspired bistro La Goulue Palm Beach.
