Three newly restored, beautified bridges lead to the 10.4-square-mile island of Palm Beach. Royal palm tree-lined boulevards and Ficus-hedged properties welcome visitors. Streets are swept every day at dawn. The town is immaculate.
The Palm Beach real estate boom of the last two years has led to a renaissance in luxury retail, hospitality and interior design—and business is booming.
The Heart of the Island
The Breakers, the family-owned grand dame of the island, is a city unto itself. The hotel comprises 10 restaurants and a dozen shops on the premises that carry extensive collections of resort wear.
Plus, a Guerlain boutique, a branch of the famous Parisienne parfumier carries their signature fragrances as well as skincare and makeup.
Via Flagler, an al fresco plaza, is the newest addition to The Breakers. It is a few steps away from the property on Royal Poinciana Way. Henry’s is a restaurant serving American comfort cuisine. Main Street News is a hub for morning coffee and newspapers. Boutiques lining the walkways include Sisley Paris, Contessa Gallery and Lotus Hair Studio.
Of Worth on Worth
The Colony, affectionately known as the "Pink Paradise," has been around since 1947. The property changed owners a couple of years ago and has been completely reimagined.
It is bright, fresh and a beehive of activity. Farrow & Ball custom-blended the exterior paint and named it Colony Pink. Rooms and cottages, designed by Kembel Interiors, have a tropical Florida feel.
Swifty’s, the hotel’s poolside restaurant, is a favorite of “the Ladies Who Lunch” and is a great spot for people-watching.
The Chesterfield Hotel, a few steps away from Worth Avenue, was purchased by the billionaire Reuben brothers in 2022. The property, built in the 1920s, is undergoing extensive renovations and when it opens will be rechristened The Vineta, a name the hotel bore from 1928 into the 1970s. The opening is anticipated for the 2025-26 season.
The Avenue is three blocks long from the ocean to the inlet. It is a street of retail dreams come true. Here are some of the highlights.
Palm Beach is the place to buy gems, high jewelry, watches and museum-quality vintage pieces.
Graff, known for a collection of the most fabulous diamonds and gems in the world, has moved across Worth Avenue into larger quarters. They are known for their large-carat flawless diamonds and gemstones in magnificent cuts, bridal jewelry and watches. Their new additions include wearable, modern affordable jewelry geared to the younger generation.
Richters of Palm Beach, a family-owned business, has been around for a century. The shop is a setting of quiet elegance—a perfect background to show off their extensive collection of desirable estate one-of-a-kind jewelry.
Other jewelers on the block include Panerai, a luxury Italian watchmaker, which opened its newest boutique in January; Hublot, Jaeger-LeCoultre, David Yurman, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels and Tourneau/Bucherer, the Swiss-based Rolex specialist.
Fashion boutiques on the avenue carry fresh-off-the-runway collections, plus an assortment of evening and resort wear. Personalized client service is the hallmark of merchants on one of the most famous shopping avenues in the world.
Well-known names include Akris, a family-owned Swiss fashion house; Bottega Veneta; Brioni, renowned for custom-made men’s apparel; Carolina Herrera; Valentina Kova; Chanel; Louis Vuitton; Emilio Pucci; Ferragamo; Gucci; Loro Piana; Max Mara and Peter Millar.
Le Bilboquet, a French American bistro is on the avenue. Ta-Boo closed its doors in May after an 83-year run. The Thomas Keller group (The French Laundry, Per Se, Bouchon Bakery) has taken over the space and plans to open a restaurant in 2025. Keller, a Michelin-starred chef, is a West Palm Beach native and began his career as a dishwasher at the Palm Beach Yacht Club.
The Royal: An Island Oasis
The Royal Poinciana Plaza is not to be missed. It was established in 1957 and reimagined in 2017. Shops and restaurants surround a beautifully landscaped plaza filled with tropical plants.
From the fashion world, you will find Hermes, Yves Saint Laurent, Assouline Book Shop (offering many beautiful fashion, lifestyle, and travel tomes), Oscar de la Renta, Kiton, Marissa Collections, Roller Rabbit and a recently opened Cartier Boutique.
Art galleries include Gavlak Gallery, Acquavella and Sotheby’s Private Sales.
Eateries range from haute cuisine to delis, including the town’s only Jewish-style deli, TooJay’s Gourmet, The Palm Beach Grill and the Honor Bar (a part of the Hillstone Group). Sant Ambroeus, a branch of the famous Milanese restaurant, is a great find for a true Italian-style breakfast with pastries or an after-dinner gelato.
In addition, you will find Virginia Philip Wine & Spirits Academy and the Palm Beach Bicycle Trail shop. Rental bikes are available.
A few steps away from the plaza you will find the lake trail. The four-mile stretch offers an intimate view of majestic estates, the intercoastal and the West Palm Beach skyline.
If you wish to visit the island by boat, you can dock your yacht in the Town of Palm Beach Marina. It’s the one and only public marina in Palm Beach. The world-class yacht center provides 84 state-of-the-art, expanded, and enlarged superyacht slips that welcomes vessels from 60 to 294 feet long.
Best of all, the marina is only steps away from Worth Avenue.
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