● Transformed into a 21st century icon by its stylist owners
● Retro chic design with a sprinkle of Hollywood glam that oozes Slim Aarons style

Proudly positioned in the heart of Palm Beach, South Florida, family-run hotel The Colony is a grown-up design marvel, sitting just a few minutes walk from the beach. Having recently celebrated its 75th birthday and undergone significant refurbishment, the hotel has officially reinstated its position as the reigning hospitality queen of Palm Beach, making this ritzy Florida town cool once again.

Palm-adorned streets and greenways frame Mediterranean revival and art deco buildings for a warm welcome to this Floridian oasis. Reverberating an unequivocal sense of place, there’s no question as to where you are, the only question is where to begin; Palm Beach, often referred to as ‘the Hamptons of the South’, is the coastal resort town that has it all – history, culture, culinary excellence, golfing, great shopping and miles of powdery white-sand beaches.

With its candy-cane sun loungers, scallop-edged parasols, dinky golf carts that shuttle guests back and forth from the beach and the iconic “Swifty’s” restaurant and bar for sundowners – a destination in itself – The Colony’s mischievous and fun-loving spirit has long been a firm favourite with Palm Beach locals and lovers alike, and remains as iconic as those it has played host to; from Frank Sinatra to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

Since the hotel originally opened in 1947 – and Florida’s most glamorous residents flocked to celebrate what would become the winter playground for international actors, politicians, dignitaries and socialites alike. It has known several owners but, as of 2016, was purchased by award-winning independent hoteliers Sarah and Andrew Wetenhall; the latter having known it well as his father had once been a longtime co-owner of the property. Determined to restore ‘the pink paradise’ to its rightful position as grande dame of Palm Beach, the Wetenhalls had the property designated as a historic landmark in 2020 and then began an extensive renovation of the hotel, deploying the skills of Kemble Interiors, de Gournay, Farrow & Ball, Schumacher, Brown Jordan and Society Social to transform it into a 21st century icon.

Keen to further reinforce The Colony’s reputation as a scene-setter across the generations, the Wetenhalls then went on to enlist the help of some of their most influential friends across fashion and wellness to ensure that it is, once again, the place to be seen. Of course, reinventing a hospitality darling in her 75th year was never going to be without its challenges, but this is a rejuvenation that has seen both young and old flocking to Palm Beach.

With no two guest rooms quite the same, each has been washed in a singular colour that is indicative of the beautiful water, flora and fauna found outside of its windows. Ocean blue, palm-fringe green, sunshine yellow and, of course, powder pink are all reinforced across each floor too, in a myriad of patterns from candy-cane striped wallpaper to floral headboards.

The hotel lobby is a snapshot from another era with a playful design that harkens back to the Tiki age, with wicker furniture, global influences, and hand-painted wallpaper featuring animal scenes and the property’s playful mascot Johnnie Brown (a monkey named after the pet of famous architect Addison Mizner) with a martini in hand.

If good design was key to reinvigorating The Colony, then strategic collaborations with legendary brands form part of its glamorous new era. Aerin Lauder was brought in to take care of the hotel’s holiday décor as well as one of its beachside villas; Anthropologie’s Mark. D Sikes reimagined another of its dreamy beach boltholes; and Tracey Anderson enjoyed a three month residency bringing her world-famous workouts to ensure guests were both tanned and toned.

This 79-room boutique property now debuts an eclectic new look and feel, inspired by the playful spirit of this renowned South Florida city; each guest paired with a dedicated ‘beach butler’, access to beach cruiser bikes, on-demand rides around town in the hotel’s charming dinky golf carts or a luxury SUV, and wide slate of expert-led fitness classes and beyond.

Rates starting from $479 per room, per night.