Palm Royale is well into its second season, and I’ve been watching from a perspective shaped by 25 years of Florida residency. During that time, I’ve witnessed Palm Beach’s remarkable transformation from the exclusive enclave depicted in the show to a more inclusive destination where anyone can enjoy themselves. Make no mistake, many positives remain from the city’s original, opulent iteration—think pastel poolsides and country club chic. But while Maxine has to fight desperately for access to that world, a luxury renaissance means the place is open to any traveler today.
Something to note: “The Palm Beaches” of today encompass far more than the exclusive barrier island of Palm Beach itself. This 47-mile coastal destination includes 39 distinct communities—from West Palm Beach’s vibrant dining scene just across the Intracoastal Waterway to Boca Raton’s resort luxury 20 miles south. Together, they’ve done away with the gatekeeping without sacrificing the glamor. Below, our picks for where to eat, stay, and play.
Where to stay in Palm Beach
Let’s start with Palm Beach proper. Steps from Worth Avenue (more on that in a minute), The Colony has welcomed guests to its “Pink Paradise” since 1947. Whimsical interiors by Dorothy Draper protégé Carleton Varney feature hand-painted wallpaper with monkey mascot Johnnie Brown (named for architect Addison Mizner’s pet). The poolside scene at Swifty’s captures classic Palm Beach with crisp rosé and live music. And then there’s The Breakers, which has been synonymous with Palm Beach luxury since Henry Flagler opened the place in 1896. This Italian Renaissance palace sprawls across 140 oceanfront acres with hand-painted ceilings by Florentine artists. Still family-owned and hosting the island’s most prestigious galas, it proves that while Palm Beach evolves, its icons endure.
Moving over to West Palm, The Belgrove Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection opened in December 2024 with a relaxed West Indies elegance along Lake Mangonia. The 150-room resort captures island-inspired glamour with complimentary bicycles, paddle lessons at The Belgrove Racquet Club, and exclusive access to Jack Nicklaus-designed Dutchman’s Pipe Golf Club. A private poolside cabana comes with charcuterie and a “drink tree” of Ketel One martinis. For something more urban, The Ben is another excellent property within the Autograph portfolio. Further afield, The Boca Raton is fresh off a $250 million renovation that has restored architect Addison Mizner’s 1926 Mediterranean Revival masterpiece across five hotels on 200 waterfront acres. Marisol at The Boca Raton has Mediterranean coastal cuisine with fresh seafood delivered daily by local fishermen. The newly transformed oceanfront restaurant, crafted in partnership with Michelin-award-winning chef Johnny Spero, features an indoor-outdoor design perfect for savoring vibrant shellfish towers and Mediterranean-inspired cocktails with ocean breezes.
Things to do in Palm Beach
Worth Avenue remains the beating heart of Palm Beach’s social scene, where approximately 250 high-end boutiques, jewelers, and art galleries line four blocks from Lake Worth to the Atlantic. Beyond the expected luxury names—Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton—the real treasures hide in the pedestrian passageways designed by Addison Mizner, intimate Mediterranean-style courtyards where locals shop, like an outpost of preppy velvet slipper specialist Stubbs & Wotton.
Beyond dining and resorts, Palm Beach’s cultural scene adds depth to the fantasy. The Norton Museum of Art showcases American, European, and contemporary collections, while Mizner Park delivers upscale Boca shopping. For a serene escape, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach offers 16 acres of tranquil landscapes—a meditative contrast to Palm Royale‘s social intensity. Rent bicycles to explore the Lake Trail, a scenic path along the Intracoastal where mansions and mega-yachts provide constant eye candy. The pace is leisurely, the views spectacular, and unlike the show’s cutthroat social climbing, the experience is refreshingly accessible. The gardens at the Four Arts Library date back to the 1930s, and include Chinese- and Spanish-themed planted areas; check the garden’s website for upcoming movie screenings of classic films.
