Palm Beach is seriously one of the most magical, happy places I’ve ever visited. My family and I have been going every summer for the past 7 years as our family trip of the year, and I always look so forward to going and dread the plane ride home :) I wanted to share our favorite place to stay, places to eat, shop, and explore. I hope it gives you a little travel inspiration and that you find this helpful if you ever plan a trip to Palm Beach. I’m also including a brief Miami section with some of my favorites from the few times we have gone. It’s a great roadtrip from Palm Beach as it’s only an hour away.
STAY
The Breakers:
My parents started going to the Breakers long before I was born, but stopped when my sister and I were born. They decided to start taking us once we got older and share their love for Palm Beach, and I’m so happy and grateful they did. I can’t think of one bad thing to say. At all. The service is impeccable. The staff are beyond friendly. The grounds are stunning (there’s not a blade of grass out of place :) ). The food… don’t even get me started on how good it is. You never have to leave the property if you don’t want to. There’s always something for everyone with 3 pools, a spa, a beach, and shops. This summer you wouldn’t have even known coronavirus was happening with how seamlessly the hotel handled everything. I personally witnessed the staff arriving for work and wearing their masks the second they got out of their car and also having their temperature taken by the security guards. I thought it would be fun to share a typical day in the life at the hotel for us:
6am: Grab coffee at the News + Gourmet and watch the sun rise from the ocean lawn.
7am-8am: Walk around the local neighborhoods (you have to go early in the summer before it gets too hot :)
9am: Breakfast at the Circle (currently closed for renovation) or the Beach Club.
10-5: Pool + Beach, Lunch at the Surf Break (they have the BEST casear salad or if you are feeling a treat, the parmesan grilled cheese is INCREDIBLE, my sister and I also LOVE their chips and guac, and their chocolate chip cookies are also beyond)
6pm: Dinner at HMF (Our favorite restaurant on the property). You feel like you’re back in the roaring twenties. The vibe is so much fun and the food is so good. They have such an awesome variety of options. My favorite is the Dragon Sushi Roll. Whatever you do, get the whoopie pie sundae for dessert :)
*I have also heard really good things about the Colony Hotel right down the street
EAT
Flagler Steakhouse
Sant Ambroeus
Renatos
Sant Ambroeus is an awesome pic for breakfast or brunch! Their lattes + avocado toast are amazing!
SHOP
Royal Poinciana Plaza: Fairly new to Palm Beach and located right behind the Breakers golf course, Royal Poinciana is stunning with incredible shopping. My faves are: LoveShackFancy, Zimmermann, Celis Produce for smoothies, Beach, Goop (open in the winter/spring).
Amanda Lindroth: cutest interior design shop with great linens and rattan pieces
F.S Hanemader: the BEST vintage palm beach interior design finds
Worth Avenue: My favorites are tucked back off the main street (CJ Laing + Aerin)
TIPS
-Visit in the summer. While the high season, or resort season is at its peak November thru March, the summer is MUCH cheaper and quieter.
-Take a walk down South County Road to Root Trail. It’s the cutest street of houses in Palm Beach by far.
MIAMI
STAY
We have stayed in Miami twice, both times at the 1 Hotel South Beach. This hotel is absolutely stunning, with a great location, and awesome health food options; however, the service is not good at all. While I have enjoyed my surroundings staying there, I think we will try somewhere different the next time we are in South Beach.
EAT
Casa Tua: Whatever you do, go to Casa Tua. It is the BEST Italian food I have had, the service is out of this world, and the environment is dreamy. Highly recommend.
Mandolin: While I haven’t eaten here, I have stopped in and the food and environment look incredible. They serve mediterranean food and it’s all outdoor seating.
Dreamer Miami, Pura Vida, Under the Mango Tree: Awesome acai bowls + smoothies
SHOP
Bal Harbour is in North Miami and is absolutely stunning. They have all of the high end designer stores, so it’s mostly a fun window shopping experience.
Wynwood/Design District also have great shopping and stores.
