If Palm Beach was a color, it would undoubtedly be pink. It’s the hue of South Florida sunsets, the signature color of Lilly Pulitzer, and the bougainvillea that sheaths the town’s distinct Mediterranean Revival architecture introduced by Addison Mizner back in the 1920s. So when picking a new paint swatch for the just-opened Palm House hotel, there was really no other choice but pink.
The recently-opened Palm House is the first hotel to launch in Palm Beach in four years. Located on the illustrious Royal Palm Way (which leads directly to the Atlantic Ocean), the 79-room hotel dates back to the 1960s. Once nicknamed “the heart of Palm Beach,” the hotel remained shuttered for many years, a silent witness to Palm Beach’s evolution. But starting in 2019, the property underwent an extensive renovation, helmed by Iconic Luxury Hotels and architectural firm Cooper Carry.
The design of Palm House is distinctly Palm Beach. After entering the hotel’s rose-hued façade, guests are greeted with a fantastic seashell installation crafted by local artist Christa Wilm who arranges the iridescent shells she collects into a sprawling mosaic that envelops the walls and a large-scale hand-blown coral Murano glass chandelier. “It has this almost ethereal quality that feels like stepping into The Little Mermaid—but make it couture, like something out of a Schiaparelli dream,” says the hotel’s art consultant Minda Dowling. “The way the shells catch the light gives it a sense of motion, almost as if the ocean itself is whispering through the space. It’s bold, whimsical and undeniably Palm Beach. I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes one of the most photographed features in the hotel.”
Muza Lab, the interior design studio behind the project, reimagined the iconic pinks and greens of the island’s heyday, crafting a space that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. It’s all designed to feel more like a bustling restaurant than a hotel lobby—as if to say, “Come on in and have a cocktail.” Right next to the concierge desk, you’ll find a luminous pink marble bar dubbed The Palm Bar, where bartenders will whip up the hotel’s signature delightful but deadly rum pineapple Celia cocktail created by Ivan Serna.
Beyond the bar is the Palm House Dining Room, an intimate all-day dining venue that promises to become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Traditional breakfast items are served in the morning, and at nightfall, the space transitions to its Japanese menu, which gives Nobu a run for its money with a superb miso cod dish.
But the true heart of the hotel lies just beyond the arched doorways of the lobby: the Sunset Pool Deck. Anchored by a sunken, heated pool, this secluded sanctuary is surrounded by pink umbrellas, striped awnings, and cushioned loungers. Here, the hotel’s ethos of “relaxed exclusivity” comes to life, with poolside butlers offering everything from Evian spritzes to sunglass cleaning. Though, if you’re more of a beach person, the hotel will happily set you up on the nearby sandy shore with teak chairs and parasols.
The guest rooms are reached via hallways scattered with vintage Slim Aarons prints, modern works from Dean West, Tim Macpherson, and Brad Walls that capture the essence of the island, and more works curated by Dowling. The suites are light and airy, featuring coral-colored headboards, custom-woven wall sconces, and elegant lattice detailing. First-floor rooms are outfitted with limestone flooring, while upper levels feature carpeting inspired by the natural patterns of seashells—some offer private patios for poolside enjoyment. On the upper floors, a two-story Presidential Suite features an Alaskan King bed—the largest in Palm Beach—overlooks the pool deck and the beach beyond.
Though the hotel opened its doors on Thanksgiving weekend, there’s still more to come. A sprawling, not-yet-opened event space is already booked out for springtime weddings and more suites will be unveiled in the coming months. Palm Beach is buzzing—and Palm House finds itself arriving just in time.
