ELLE Escapes: Palm Beach

There’s something about Palm Beach. Maybe it’s the signature swaying trees or crisp blue water. Perhaps it’s the relaxed, somewhat secluded, yet still buzzy locale. Or the prime people-watching, as the island has attracted members of the fashion pack from Aerin Lauder to Katie Sturino, but still manages to feel like an intimate, close-knit community—whether you maintain a residence there or are just passing through. Regardless of the reasoning, it remains an indelible part of Florida, synonymous with luxurious homes and the lifestyle to match. For your next trip down south, we rounded up the best places to visit and, of course, where to shop.

Royal Poinciana Plaza

With stores ranging from La Ligne to LoveShackFancy and the newly opened Veronica Beard boutique, plus restaurants and an outdoor SoulCycle, you could spend your whole day walking (or cycling) around the John Volk-designed Royal Poinciana Plaza and be totally content doing so.

The Norton Museum of Art

Palm Beach is steeped in history, and The Norton Museum of Art is a key part of it. Although technically in West Palm Beach, it’s considered an important cultural institution to locals and snowbirds alike; in fact, steel baron Ralph Hubbard Norton, a former resident, founded it with his wife Elizabeth in 1941 to house their vast personal collection. Today, you’ll find over 7,000 works, including pieces by Stuart Davis and Jackson Pollock, inside.

Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course

Golf and Palm Beach basically go hand in hand. If you’re a novice in the sport, this scenic par 3 course, overlooking the water, is a good place to practice your swing—or just laugh about your regrettable bogeys.

Le Bilboquet

For South of France vibes on Worth Avenue, head to Le Bilboquet. The Upper East Side mainstay known for its bistro fare (and Cajun chicken in particular) has joined its fellow displaced New Yorkers with the opening of its latest outpost. As owner and self-professed bon vivant Philippe Delgrange will attest, Bilbo is always a good time.

Café Boulud

Billed as “one of Palm Beach’s most coveted dining destinations,” this Daniel Bohlud-helmed restaurant, with its luxe outdoor terrace at The Brazilian Court Hotel, lives up to the hype. Everything on the menu is solid, but the White Cosmo, a mix of vodka, elderflower, and white cranberry, finished with an orchid ice cube, is undoubtedly your IG moment.

Swifty’s

Good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Swifty’s, situated poolside at The Colony Hotel, may be one of the more casual dining options on the island, but delicious nonetheless. Take advantage of the live music offering—specifically, acoustic guitarists strumming everything from the Beatles to the Backstreet Boys.

Sant Ambroeus

Located in the Royal Poinciana Plaza, Sant Ambroeus has a decadent bar and spacious outdoor section that’s ideal for a round of post-retail therapy drinks. (Because you could probably use a cocktail to help wash away the fact that you just blew your tax refund in one fell swoop.)

Lola 41

Though Lola 41 shares an address with the White Elephant hotel, the Nantucket-based sushi bar is its own entity, with an extensive wine list, sake, cocktails, and craft beers in a courtyard—and a bar adorned with vintage coins from all over the world.

HMF

No trip to Palm Beach is complete without a trip to The Breakers, and its restaurant and lounge space, HMF, is the perfect place to grab a drink and wander the storied halls. There’s a reason master sommelier Juan Gomez has been named a Wine Spectator Grand Award winner each year since the accolade’s inception in 1981.

The Colony Hotel

This all-pink hotel is not only nice to look at, but boasts charming Art Deco interiors and a great scene for poolside lounging. The programming is also top-notch: don’t miss celebrity trainer Isaac Boots’s leg- and butt-blasting Torch’d workout in the East Garden on Saturdays.

The Brazilian Court Hotel

Spacious suites? Private pool area? Custom Linus bikes for loan? Check, check, check. The Brazilian Court Hotel offers a bit of old-world glamour in the center of town, a quick ride from the Palm Beach Lake Trail.

White Elephant Palm Beach

All of the White Elephant’s properties are tasteful and elegant, and Palm Beach is certainly no exception. The newest, fully renovated hotel opening on the island, it features luxe rooms decorated with pop art, a heated pool, and shuttle service to the beach.