Word travels fast around Palm Beach.
Though Palm House is still technically in its soft opening phase, you wouldn’t know it by walking through its lobby, which was already buzzing with guests just one week after reservations opened. But the debut of Palm House, the newest luxury hotel in Palm Beach, has been a long time coming.
Located at the site of the former Heart of Palm Beach, the building was vacant for 17 years since that hotel shuttered its doors. It remained a blighted space until 2019, when L + R Hotels purchased the property and began developing the London-based group’s first-ever hotel across the pond. Five years later, the end result is a charming, bespoke retreat that revels in the iconic aesthetics and sophisticated luxury of Old Palm Beach.
Entering the lobby of Palm House feels like stepping into an alternate timeline where the hotel never endured years of disrepair and had instead been a flourishing island staple for decades. The pastel pinks of the furnishings, delicate coral chandeliers of handblown Murano glass hanging from the vaulted ceilings, textured murals depicting an underwater world of seashells and marine life—every detail speaks to an intimate understanding and celebration of Palm Beach style that says, “We’ve always been here.”
The lobby is also home to Palm Bar, where tuxedoed bartenders serve up craft cocktails on an opulent pink marble bar top. Though the beverage program was still being set up during our visit, we were given a sneak preview of what to expect with a sample of a tropical rum-based libation, The Celia. Take it from someone who doesn’t usually enjoy rum, this cocktail is definitely worth trying.
Through the lobby and out the back doors is the Sunset Pool Deck, where guests from the Dining Room can enjoy al fresco meals (more on that later), and beyond the patio are cozy, umbrella-shaded chaise lounges perfect for relaxing with a cocktail delivered poolside from Palm Bar. The pool area has a very “grown-up” vibe—there’s no music playing, no loud chattering—just guests soaking in the tranquil setting.
This grown-up vibe extends to the rest of the property, too. While children are welcome, it’s clear that Palm House is tailored to adults seeking a secluded getaway. Put it this way: it’s no accident that Palm Bar is steps away from the entrance. The idea here is to drop your keys with the valet, have hotel staff cart the luggage to your room, and unwind with a cocktail without a care in the world.
You’ll find the same sense of serene seclusion in the rooms and suites of Palm House. We stayed in one of the guest rooms (there are 58 total), which provided ample space for two. The rooms, like the rest of the property, evoke a sense of nostalgic elegance, with latticed mirrors lining the wall, soft coral accents, and a Juliet balcony for letting in the Palm Beach winter breeze. While Palm House doesn’t have an onsite spa, guest room baths all include a large soaking tub for in-room pampering.
Guests can also opt instead for any of the 21 suites at Palm House. The suites range in size from 550 square feet all the way up to 2,000 square feet in the sprawling, two-story Presidential Suite. While the guest rooms are perfect for two, the suites are more apt for families or staycationers who want extra space and a more “home away from home” feel.
Moving back to the lobby area, guests can find Palm House’s onsite restaurant, the Dining Room, which serves up modern Japanese fare with a dash of Peruvian influence for lunch and dinner, with traditional American dishes served for breakfast. We visited for dinner and were impressed with each dish we sampled, including the rock shrimp tempura tossed in a decadent spicy cream sauce, crisp-yet-tender Wagyu beef dumplings in a spicy ponzu sauce, exquisitely presented sashimi, and an inimitable miso black cod.
We recommend pairing your meal—particularly sushi and sashimi—with a sake from the Dining Room’s drink menu, which features selections that are exclusive to the resort. Pro tip: Opt to drink the sake the traditional Japanese way out of a cedar box. Don’t worry if you spill any; it’s good luck.
Beyond the pool area and onsite restaurant, other Palm House amenities include complimentary beach set-ups, chauffeur services around Palm Beach, and house vehicles available for use—a Land Rover Defender, true to L + R Hotel’s British roots. The hotel is also pet-friendly for animals up to 50 pounds, with a charge per day per pet.
As previously mentioned, the hotel is still in its soft opening phase as the east wing of rooms and suites and ballroom space finishes construction. But from what we’ve seen so far, there’s plenty to be excited about when Palm House’s grand opening comes in January 2025.
For more information about Palm House or to book a room, click here.
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