Man, does it feel so good to even TALK about traveling again!! If you missed it, earlier this month, a couple of my girlfriends and I finally got to reunite with a weekend trip to West Palm Beach, Florida and it was GLORIOUS! This was my first time in the WPB area but, it’s safe to say it won’t be my last!
Overall I would recommend this as a couples retreat or girlfriends getaway! While it is technically a “beach town”, it’s not the most family-friendly (or cost effective) area in my opinion. I would say it’s more of a “treat yourself” trip for adults. If you are planning on bringing the kiddos, there are a couple of options, including the hotel we stayed at, that would be better for families!
Below I’ve laid out all the details of where to stay, where to eat, and where to explore! BUT, before we get there, I wanted to quickly jot down 3 things to EXPECT before you travel to West Palm Beach:
- Expect to spend a lot on food (unless you cook at your Airbnb/hotel).
- Expect a lot of pool time if you want to enjoy the Florida sun! Don’t put all of your hope in the beaches! (if you want GREAT beaches, head to the 30A area.)
- Expect to spend a whole day in Palm Beach “proper” to explore the good stuff (but stay in West Palm Beach).
WHERE TO STAY:
Hilton West Palm Beach
This hotel alone made our trip worth it!! Drake and I are already looking at the next time we can book a stay of our own at the Hilton! Our experience was a little different with COVID- no room service, no turndown service (just fresh towels on request, etc.), and local regulations- HOWEVER, we still had a great time! The rooms are great, very spacious for couples or families, but it’s the amenities that really shine!
My Top 3 Favorite Things:
- THE POOL– resort-style pool with cabanas for rent, lounge chairs, a bar, and a designated area for games and outdoor fitness classes. If you are making it a family vacay, I highly recommended booking here so you can keep the kids at the pool all day, relax, and have everything in one place!
- THE FOOD– their restaurant The Galley, was by far the best place we ate (more info in the food section below). They should resume room service soon as well, which I would highly recommend taking advantage of!
- LOCATION– prime prime location!! It’s located a short Uber ride from the airport, about 10 mins from the beach/Worth Avenue, and right across the street from Rosemary Square.
INSTAGRAM: @hiltonwestpalmbeach
Other Highly Recommended Spots:
- The Breakers– One of the most recommended places to stay in the area BUT it is the definition of ‘old school luxury’ and a major splurge! I at least recommend taking a trip by the property to take in the gorgeous views!
- The Colony (pictures below)- Absolutely STUNNING property, every corner of the lobby alone is ‘insta-worthy’ and very retro. If you really want the experience of staying here I would probably only book 1 night and enjoy amenities elsewhere the rest of your trip!
- Pineapple Pad (more affordable, designed for couples or smaller groups!)
- Four Seasons
- White Elephant
- Eau Palm Beach
WHERE TO EAT:
The Galley
If there’s one place you try during your trip, THIS IS IT!! An extra perk if you’re staying at the Hilton because it’s right inside the hotel! We ate here the first night of our stay and had to go back for more before we headed home, it was that good!! Very fun and relaxed atmosphere, has a bar area, outdoor patio, and booth seating. Like most places in the area, it was not “cheap”, but the meals are actually worth it! Expect to pay at least $30 for a meal + drinks.
MY MENU RECS: ‘steak pintxo’ appetizer, truffle fries, baked sweet potato, oven baked cookie.
Avocado Grill
Fresh guac daily…enough said. Avocado Grill was probably one of the most mentioned restaurants on all the travel guides I researched before our trip! I LOVED the atmosphere, I would definitely go back maybe for lunch when it’s not as crowded, and you can really enjoy the “vibe”. They also had amazing truffle fries and great margaritas (a must for me!) If you go for the guac, a marg, and a meal, expect to pay at least $40!
If you have room afterward, the infamous Sloan’s Ice Cream is right around the corner!!
INSTAGRAM: @avocadogrill
City Cellar
We stumbled upon this restaurant when we walked around Rosemary Square, and it was a pleasant surprise! We all got salads and they were DELISH! A great stop if you’re already planning on exploring the square. One of the more affordable places we found- expect to pay around $25 for lunch!
Other Highly Recommended Spots:
- Cucina (Palm Beach side)
- Elisabetta (WPB)
- Buccan (Palm Beach side)
- Renato’s (Palm Beach side)
PLACES TO EXPLORE:
Worth Ave.
Over the bridge into ‘Palm Beach proper’ is where all the boujee vibes come in! I’m talkin’ Rolls Royces and Teslas as far as the eye can see! We made a whole afternoon out of our visit to the area because there’s so much to explore! Gorgeous picture spots and such a beautiful place to walk around and take in the sights. We had plans to eat around here but, opted to save money and head back by our hotel instead. If you do stop for lunch or dinner, there are tons of great spots hidden inside the Worth shopping area!
The BEAUTIFUL ‘insta-worthy’ bodega wall is right across from ‘Renato’s Palm Beach’!
The Colony Hotel
Calling all pink lovers!! Get ready to absolutely fall in love with this place! Whenever you make time for the Palm Beach side of the island, this is a MUST STOP in my opinion! The lobby itself is every girl’s DREAM! They have a couple of bars and a poolside restaurant you can make reservations at if you want to experience their incredible atmosphere a little longer! If you’re just looking to stop by like we did, the beach is just a few blocks up the road, along with a few designer stores you can explore after.
INSTAGRAM: @thecolonypalmbeach
Rosemary Square
One of the many perks of our hotel’s location was being directly across the street from Rosemary Square! A GREAT place to make an afternoon out of, especially if you are traveling with family! They have dozens of restaurants, stores, local shops, a movie theater, and an outdoor play area for kids.
INSTAGRAM: @rosemarysquarewpb
FOR MORE WEST PALM BEACH PHOTOS & REVIEWS HEAD TO MY INSTAGRAM HIGHLIGHT, HERE!