Review: The Colony Hotel

Why book? The Colony Hotel is the ultimate love letter to the whimsy—and glamor—of old Palm Beach.

Set the scene

Stepping inside The Colony Hotel is like entering a scene out of a storybook or golden-hued Wes Anderson film. Within its pink stucco walls, reality transforms into an Alice in Wonderland fantasy adorned with retro-tropical prints, a beloved monkey mascot, and white-glove service that guarantee a fanciful escape. This is the Palm Beach of times gone by, when Lilly Pulitzer was a barefoot rebel freeing socialites of their corsets with playful slip dresses all while enjoying the finer things in life (martinis, art, and cigarettes). Who are The Colony’s guests today? A choose-your-own-adventure for how laid-back or extravagant you prefer your vacation, the regular patrons include members of the royal family and movie stars tucked away in the penthouses, but also groups of girlfriends celebrating birthdays, engagements, babies, and reunions; moms in matching sun hats; fashionable newly weds from Miami; mom-and-daughter duos; hip retirees; and young families with well-behaved (and well-dressed) infants. Especially true during Florida’s quieter off-season, The Colony also serves as a local hang for the year-round community. You’ll find groups of twenty-somethings clad in LoveShackFancy and espadrilles during Saturday brunch, neighbors walking over from the beach to the outdoor pool bar for Sunday football, and golden-year residents filing into Swifty’s for bingo and trivia on weekdays.

The backstory

Since its opening in 1947, The Colony has been owned by various New York financiers and acted almost as a private club hosting kings, presidents, dukes, and duchesses. Following several ownership handovers and renovations, the current owners Sarah Wetenhall (the president) and Andrew Wetenhall (son of previous co-owner Robert C. Wetenhall) purchased the hotel in 2016. The next year, The Colony celebrated its 70th anniversary and the Wettenhalls began their multi-year restoration of Palm Beach’s pink grande dame in collaboration with Kemble Interiors. Together, they revived the time-worn interiors while still maintaining its iconic quirk and charm.

The rooms

Previously, all 93 hotel rooms each had their own unique design—meaning the great challenge of the most recent renovation was preserving the array of whimsical colors and patterns that the hotel was best known for while also introducing a greater sense of cohesion throughout the property.

From the scalloped awnings to the intricate wall murals, The Colony of today carefully combines the vintage and in-vogue, with the guest rooms following three playful color schemes: green, blue, and pink. The darling accommodations feature scalloped headboards and ceiling details, patterned drapes, colorful wallpaper, vintage vanities, and every other fanciful detail your inner child can possibly dream up. As for sizes, the room layouts begin with the standard guest rooms, followed by the slightly-larger premium guest rooms (with elevated views), then the junior suites with a sitting room and pull-out couch, and the most spacious superior suites (with an extra bathroom).

For snowbird guests staying in PB for a month or longer, check out the Residences located on the top floor and across the street (don’t worry, they are still pink). These fourteen multi-bedroom villas, bungalows, and penthouses are each one-of-a-kind with their own unique design. I stayed in the two-bedroom Goop Villa designed in collaboration with Gwyneth Paltrow; the spa-like aesthetic emphasized beachy neutrals and contemporary furnishings with subtle pops of color—more zen and less whimsy compared to the rest of the hotel—and a gorgeous choice for those seeking a serene retreat. Meanwhile, the Chairish Villa designed in collaboration with the eponymous vintage furniture retailer is Palm Beach maximalism through and through; an aesthetic available for every type of traveler.

Food and drink

With gorgeous indoor and outdoor seating, Swifty’s get an A+ for ambience, but the exuberant prices are really only worth it for dinner (the snapper was divine). The brunch menu is nice but be warned you may end up paying over $30 for a bagel with lox, a shocking amount even for this New Yorker. Their casual eatery, the Pink Paradise café, has yummy smoothies, coffee, and pastries for when you don’t want to commit to a full sit-down meal.

The spa

The spa is a small treatment room run by the in-residence spa partner, Naturopathica. Guests can book facials and massages with skilled technicians and Naturopathica’s roster of botanical skincare products. I got a 60-minute facial that combined acne-targeting treatments with relaxing facial, neck, and arm massages and left feeling superbly relaxed with glowing skin. Because there is only one treatment room, be sure to book the spa services in advance.

The neighborhood/area

The Colony is located right in between Worth Avenue and the beach, making it the perfect home base for a Palm Beach getaway. Unlike the majority of Florida, there is really no need for a car here. Palm Beach has remained relatively unchanged over the years, but across the bridge West Palm Beach has welcomed a host of new restaurants and developments post-COVID, attracting young families and professionals who are bringing fresh life to the historically retiree-heavy region. If you don’t want to fly directly into West Palm Beach (a short 10-minute drive from the hotel), the new Brightline train now connects West Palm Beach to Miami and Orlando.

The service

The Colony’s saying is “welcome home,” an attitude that reflects its incredible service. From the friendly wait staff to the white-glove valet and the conversational beach team, everyone who works here excels at making you feel dotted on while also feeling completely relaxed and at home.

This is best embodied by the gracious “Beach Butler” service, a standout perk offered by the hotel that will ensure a memorable, Instagram-worthy experience. Hop on the pink golf cart and be whisked away to your personalized set up of beach chairs, umbrellas, a Yeti cooler filled with cold drinks (all pink, of course) and food service (note that no alcohol is permitted). Chris, who runs the operation, is a pro shell collector (ask to see photos of the Great White Shark tooth he found) and more than happy to provide local insight about Palm Beach and the storied history of The Colony.

In almost every photo of The Colony you may notice the rack of pink beach cruisers out in front. The bicycles are complimentary to guests and ideal for getting around town: take them down Worth Ave and over to the Lake Trail, a 5.5-mile long path along the Lake Worth Lagoon and stop by Whitehall, Henry Flagler's Gilded Age estate that’s now a museum open to the public. If you prefer transportation via vehicle, The Colony also offers guests rides in a fleet of XC90s within the boundaries of Wells Road and Blossom Way.

For families

There were several young families with infants enjoying the Pool and beach at The Colony during my stay, as well as mother-daughter duos and multi-generational groups with grandparents. With several adjoining room options and double-bed suites, this is a perfect hotel for group family travel, though there is no special kids programming.

Accessibility

​Accessibility features at The Colony Palm Beach include accessible guest rooms upon request, wheelchair accessibility in the guest room and bathroom, grab bars, shower seat, ADA hotel kit upon request, accessible entrance to all public areas, a chair lift at the pool, and a wheelchair on property for guest use.

Anything left to mention?

One of my favorite parts about my stay at The Colony was the activity programming offered in collaboration with local businesses. Jillian’s Pop-Up Yoga (available to hotel guests every Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the beach) was such the perfect way to recenter upon my arrival. On Saturdays (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.) Mary Glazier, founder and surf instructor of Gurferlady, teaches surf instruction lessons. I’ve signed up for a handful of surf classes during my travels and Mary is supremely skilled at creating a welcoming, fun environment for folks of all skill levels while making sure you will catch some waves!

If golf and tennis is more your speed, guests of The Colony receive access to the Raymond Floyd–designed “Palm Beach Par 3” course—scenically situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal—and the Seaview Park Tennis Center; a full-service facility with a pro shop, seven lit courts for drop-in play, private lessons, and adult and junior clinics. The hotel will also facilitate boat charters, from cocktail cruises to fishing excursions.