Shopping on Worth Avenue, a.k.a. the “Rodeo Drive of the East,” is a celebrated activity year-round, for tourists and locals alike. While hotel pricing varies depending on the time of year, book accommodations, spa and dining reservations as early as possible during peak season, which runs from mid-December through mid-April.

The stylish Four Seasons Palm Beach bespeaks luxury, with fabulous vistas and spacious guest rooms and bathrooms. Premier Guest Rooms are the way to go here, with 107 square feet more of space than standard rooms, and dramatic, full views of the Atlantic Ocean. Four two-bedroom Oceanfront Suites are ideal for families; all 13 suites at the hotel must be booked by phone. Butler service can be arranged for an added fee. If you’re sending an important client, contact Senior Sales Manager Steven Savini (561-533-3714). General Manager Harry Gorstayn also keeps a keen eye on VIPs.

Book spa treatments prior to arrival, particularly if you're seeking a massage under the tented, oceanfront cabana. Speak to Spa Director Jim Heywood for special arrangements at the nine-room facility.

The Five Diamond “Restaurant,” favored by Zagat readers, is usually busy with locals; book one to two weeks in advance during high season.

Golf tops the news at The Breakers with the expansion of the Rees Jones Course. Ten miles from the hotel, the par-72 course complements the historic Breakers Ocean Course, which was redesigned in 1999. To book, call 561-659-8440.

 

 

 

 


To get the full impact of the resort’s location, reserve a Premium Full Oceanfront Room directly overlooking the Atlantic. The top two floors house the newly renovated Flagler Club, whose accommodations afford either partial ocean views or island views. Club guests receive private concierge service, continental breakfast and other dining services throughout the day.

 

ADVISOR INSIGHT:


Leslie Shaw of Royal Palm Travel in Palm Beach says that, while
the coastal-Florida town is ultra-exclusive and tough to break into for outsiders, there are plenty of opportunities for visitors to experience the fine quality of life its residents know so well. “The beaches are beautiful and the hotels
are amazing,” says Shaw, a resident of the island for 28 years. “Shopping on Worth Avenue is so special—the finest jewelers and couturiers in the world are there, whether internationally known or small, one-of-akind boutiques.” World-class restaurants are commonplace in Palm Beach—Shaw says the
sweetbreads at tony Cafe L’Europe (331 South County Road;
561-655-4020) are scrumptious, and recommends the Dover sole at Chez Jean-Pierre Bistro (132 North County Road; 561-8331171). Be advised: Reservations are an absolute must at these popular Palm Beach eateries. 

 


The resort’s top suite is the spacious, one-bedroom Imperial Suite, which has a living room, parlor, wet bar and three separate balconies overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The one-bedroom Royal Poinciana Suite is more intimate. Phone calls are required for booking.

Maria Gainer oversees the 17room spa, where Swedish and Deep-Tissue Massages are high in demand. Book dining reservations at the hotel’s seven restaurants two weeks or more in advance during peak season.

Travel agents should contact Valerie Lund (561-653-6673; [email protected]) or Laurie Rapaport (561-653-6610; [email protected]) for any special arrangements at The Breakers. Note that The Breakers has changed its GDS chain code from LW to YX (property codes stay the same), thanks to a new Central Reservation Management System that will allow more of the hotel’s inventory to be distributed via the GDS.

 

The most requested suites at the Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach are on the Club Level, which includes private concierge service and five different daily food presentations. Access to these rooms requires private-key entrance, an attractive feature for those seeking added security. For the best views, request one of the Oceanfront Suites, which appear to hang right over the ocean. Forty-two of the hotel’s 56 suites connect with guest rooms to create 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom suites. Those traveling with larger families may prefer one of the two three-bedroom Presidential Suites, which have a small kitchen to accommodate a private chef.

Insider secret: Private butler service is available for all rooms at The Ritz-Carlton for an added fee.

Natalie Spada is on site and handles most specialty bookings. General Manager Roberto van Geenen also involves himself directly with VIP guests. A useful package is “The Key to Luxury,” which provides guests with a Mercedes-Benz to drive throughout their stay.

With just five rooms, the spa is always busy (an expansion plan is in the works). Massages are popular here, but so are the Hot Stone Reflexology treatment and the Teen Facial. Contact Spa Director Anastasia Dorsey for arrangements.

Reservations at The Grill can be difficult to secure, so make plans early. Head Concierge Annamaria DeCastro can recommend other dining options, including private dining by the ocean. Her other feats have included booking a private jet at the last minute and securing a diamond engagement ring for a spontaneous, romantic guest.

Popular with socialites, The Brazilian Court is frequently host to posh fashion shows and cocktail parties. Just steps away from Worth Avenue and two blocks from the ocean, the historic hotel now houses Cafe Boulud (301 Australian Avenue; 561-6556060) and the exclusive Frédéric Fekkai Salon & Spa (561-8339930; www.fredericfekkai.com). Contact General Manager Deborah Carr with any special requests.

 

 

BrazilianCourtentrance

The elegant entrance to The Brazilian Court Hotel



Nearby, The Chesterfield is a boutique hotel popular with Worth Avenue shoppers for its High Tea. Matthew Roebuck, sales director, (561-659-5800) is the travel agent liaison here; General Manager Francine Oissonnealut is also glad to execute special requests. The hotel doesn’t have a spa of its own, but concierge Hirschal Young will happily book treatments at facilities in the area. Insider secret: For celebrity sightings, dine at the Leopard Lounge, which offers live music and entertainment nightly.

 

Chesterfield

The glamorous Chesterfield is a playground to Palm Beach’s jet set



Clients can sample music or dance at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. To enhance their experience there, purchase Premium Tickets, which will give them access to a champagne reception and seats in the first six rows during the performance.

For more information, visit www.palmbeachfl.com.