Palm Beach, Florida Luxury Hotels and Destination

Ultimate Luxury Small Hotel Vacation

Palm Beach is the epitome of luxury, a town of unparalleled opulence where the richest and wealthiest go each year to escape winter’s chill. Spend your vacation amidst the riches in a Palm Beach luxury small hotel and experience the fusion of old-world glamour and new-age sophistication. Though the summer months are quieter and a bit more affordable, it is during the winter months that the big names reside in Palm Beach. Between November and May, a host of elegant balls, fundraising dinners and charity galas are held in opulent dinner halls and dance halls around Palm Beach. For the ultimate luxury small hotel vacation, consider the world-renown fully developed community of Palm Beach Florida.

Palm Beach History

Palm Beach is believed to have received its name as a result of an attempt by the survivors of the “Providencia” shipwreck in 1878 to plant the fruit of their cargo, the coconut. These early settlers introduced this non-native crop to the shores of South Florida with the hopes of launching a commercial coconut industry. The crop took so well that the small island quickly became covered in exotic palm trees. It was railroad tycoon Henry Flagler who, in 1894, began buying acres of land on the beautiful island and initiated the growth of Palm Beach. This premier developer built the two famed luxury hotels, the Royal Poinciana and the Breakers. It wasn’t long before the early homesteaders realized that they had settled in an island paradise and their efforts to protect and preserve the quality and beauty of Palm Beach started almost immediately. Still today, strict laws govern everything from building to landscaping, and even the smallest project must be approved by the town council. The affluent reputation of Palm Beach, along with its beauty and fame, continues to attract those seeking an escape from the mainland and mainstream way of life. From rock stars to CIA directors, sports idols to CEOs, everyone is eager for a chance to become part of the Palm Beach elite.

Palm Beach Luxury Hotels

The Moorish-Gothic style architecture common to most community landmarks in Palm Beach was first influenced by the works of Addison Mizner, who began to design homes and public buildings there in the 1920s. This opulent and ornate style of architecture matches the grandeur and extravagance that makes Palm Beach a premier destination for the rich and famous of the world. For a taste of the celebrity lifestyle, treat yourself to the unsurpassed experience of a Palm Beach luxury hotel. Prepare to be swept away into a magical island paradise from the very first moment you step into the luxury hotel lobby. Allow the attentive and devoted staff to attend to your every desire and to provide you with the finest amenities for an unforgettable stay. Wake up each morning wrapped in luxury linens and start your day by drinking in the gorgeous island or ocean views from your private balcony. Let the cool ocean breeze whisk away all the stresses of the work week; this is your luxury hotel getaway, and everything (from the gourmet food to the plush towels), down to the smallest detail, of your luxury hotel is aimed at letting you relax, rejuvenate, and revitalize.

Palm Beach Attractions

Don’t let the seductive stretches of sandy beaches interspersed with eclectic dining options blind you from the intriguing museums, galleries, theaters, and gardens that Palm Beach offers as its flourishing commitment to historic preservation and the arts. If you’re vacationing with the kids, take them to the twenty-two acre Palm Beach Zoo in Dreher Park to visit all of its friendly furry, feathery, and scaly inhabitants; or the South Florida Science Museum in West Palm Beach for a kid-friendly, hands-on, interactive experience. Another option is the Lion Country safari, where a cassette tape tour will guide you through eight miles of paved road that cut through the appropriate 500 acre preserve that is home to 1300 wild animals. With a little luck, you may encounter lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, chimpanzees, ostriches, and water buffalo.

Just a short drive away lies Arthur R. Marshall-Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, a fresh water storage area that is part of the Everglades National Park. These 145,800 acres of northern Everglades habitat provide a safe haven for native fish and wildlife populations including largemouth bass, brim, crappie, speckled perch, and many species of waterfowl.

Lake Okeechobee, a bass-fishing hot spot and Florida's largest lake, is another appealing Florida attraction to many nature lovers and fishermen. Located in the center of the state, this large body of water that translates to “big water” in the language of the Seminole Indians, is not only the water-pumping life source of the entire Everglades ecosystem, it is also a major economic contributor as it is home to the prized bass and speckled perch fisheries that bring in a large portion of Florida’s revenue. Not to mention that it is a major source of fresh water for the surrounding inhabitants and wildlife. During your visit, learn about the ecological importance of the lake and the ongoing restoration efforts as you take advantage of Lake Okeechobee’s many recreational opportunities like fishing, hiking, boating, and camping

In the northernmost reaches of Palm Beach County lies Treasure Coast (it extends into Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties), where miles and miles of beautiful beaches lie blissfully undeveloped. What better place to enjoy Florida’s warm and breezy climate than sprawled out on a beach towel, soaking in the sunrays? Take in the coastal views as well as the view of the India River, a broad tidal lagoon that separates barrier islands from the mainland.

The Flagler Museum, a National Historic Landmark, was initially a wedding present from Henry Flagler to his third wife. Now open to the public, you can take a 45 minute guided tour that takes you through this luxury home’s fifty-five rooms, including an Italian library, a French salon, a Swiss billiard room, a hallway modeled on St Peter's, and a Louis XV ballroom. This overtly gaudy home allows us a glimpse into the Gilded Age that fostered Flagler’s impressive rise to success.

The Breakers Hotel has a two-century long history of being one of the finest luxury hotels in America. From the very beginning, it attracted big names like the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and many more. Today, this palatial luxury hotel continues to attract the elite vacationers of Palm Beach Florida with its elaborate painted ceilings and immense tapestries. For a small taste of this elegant hotel, set some time aside on a Wednesday to take their free guided tour.

Palm Beach Shopping & Dining

Worth Avenue, with its countless designer boutiques and high-class art galleries, is a shopaholic’s dream come true. Not only is the merchandise that fills these shops priceless, so is the surrounding architecture. All around are mansions with Romanesque facades, passageways leading to small courtyards where miniature bridges cross nonexistent canals, and stunning spiral staircases that climb to the upper levels. Here, traffic consists largely of Roles Royce, Mercedes, and other luxury vehicles.

Palm Beach offers a vast selection of fine dining sure to please even the toughest critic. You’ll find a myriad of upscale restaurants and bistros for every meal, many of which also offer after-dinner delights like dinner theater and discos. If you’re looking for less of an elegant experience and more of something warm and cozy, delight in knowing that Palm Beach also offers relaxed, traditional family-style dining.

Palm Beach – Luxury Destination

Whether it is relaxation, entertainment, shopping, or a variety of land and water sports that draw your attention to Palm Beach Florida, your expectations of a pleasant vacation are sure to be far exceeded during your stay at a Palm Beach luxury hotel. Delight in the pampering and extravagance only a luxury hotel can offer. Relish the breathtaking views of the ocean hugging the shore and the sun casting its golden light on the city’s grand architecture. One dose of Palm Beach Florida is all it takes to leave you wanted to return to your luxury hotel destination time and time again.