I think it’s safe to say that the Summer of 2020 was the year of the staycation. Luckily for those of us living in Miami, a jaunt to Palm Beach is a swift 50-minute car ride away. So over the past weekend, my gal pal Christina and I decided to take a two-night timeout in the lap of luxury. This was arguably my best life choice since deciding to watch a marathon of Siesta Key and investing in comfy cotton Aviator Nation sweat pants.
I stayed at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa where the rooms exude a decidedly modern and playful vibe thanks to Interior Designer Jonathan Adler. Our room boasted a direct ocean view, private balcony replete with a swing, and felt super clean & safe during these weird (to put it lightly) Covid-19 times. The lobby, on the other hand, exhibits a Ritz-Carlton feel which makes perfect sense because the property was in fact a Ritz prior to becoming Eau in 2009. All staff and hotel guests wore face masks and we felt super comfortable on that front, too. Christina and I spent the day lounging by the oceanfront pool quaffing rosé, followed by being pampered at the Resort’s world-class spa. The spa is BEYOND. Period. End of story. See spa photo here below…
We dined on-site at Breeze Ocean Kitchen (photographed below) and Temple Orange — and ordered up the tuna on crispy wontons both times because they were phenomenal.
On Saturday, we drove 15 minutes North to Royal Poinciana Plaza where we indulged in some good ol’ fashioned retail therapy at stores such as Stoney Clover, Love Shack Fancy, Zimmermann and Alice + Olivia. We relished lunch at locally loved Sant Ambroeus for some delish burrata and cacio e pepe. Palm Beach locals tell me other must-visit eating haunts include Buccan and brunch outside at Renato’s. Also worth noting for the near future? La Goulue (from New York and previously Bal Harbor Shops) will open near Buccan and Le Bibouquet (from NYC and Sag Harbor) will open on Worth Avenue.
After lunch, we headed to the upscale shops on Worth Avenue and popped into Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Ralph Lauren and INTERMIX followed by a scenic drive back to our hotel on pristine Billionaires Row.
So if you yearn for a dreamy beach getaway, it’s not too late to plan a safe and luxe trip to this East Coast gem. If you’ve been hunkered down since March and you’re ready to get out and have some fun, Palm Beach is a must!
Eau Palm Beach, 100 South Ocean Boulevard, Manalapan, Florida; eaupalmbeach.com
