A season of art, wellness, and fashion-forward happenings is ahead at the newly refreshed hotel
Words by LESLEY McKENZIE
There’s an undeniable alchemy to The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, where tropical glamour, cultural cachet, and old-world charm converge just a stone’s throw from Worth Avenue and the Atlantic Ocean.
Opened in 1947, the 93-room boutique hotel has long been a cornerstone of Palm Beach society. Since taking ownership in 2016 with her husband, Andrew, president and CEO Sarah Wetenhall has led a multiyear refresh, tapping designer Mimi McMakin of Kemble Interiors for a top-to-bottom refresh of interiors. The result: a playful yet refined update on classic Palm Beach style, rendered in the hotel’s iconic pastel pink-and-green palette.
Dining is also woven into the experience. At Swifty’s, expect elevated American fare — think Chef Tom’s Fish and Chips with crushed peas — in a lush setting by the pool. The Pink Paradise Café offers light bites and salads to go, while The Living Room welcomes guests for coffee and cocktails.
This season, the landmark hotel continues evolving as a lifestyle destination, with a series of partnerships that blur the lines among art, fashion, wellness, and play. The Cabana Bungalow — a curated residence from Cabana magazine’s Martina Mondadori and designer Ashley Hicks — offers a fresh take on the hotel’s signature aesthetic, complete with a capsule collection featuring linens and plates that take cues from Palm Beach’s lush gardens and The Colony’s signature pink hue.
Hearst Magazines has curated a retro-inspired newsstand-meets-cabana experience poolside, and through the end of this month, Madison Apothecary brings its Upper East Side sensibility to The Colony, transforming the mezzanine level into a sanctuary for elevated skincare, artisanal remedies, and bespoke wellness.
Tucked beside the lobby, the recently debuted The Colony Edit — curated by Wetenhall herself — is a jewel-box boutique offering resort wear, souvenirs, and exclusive collabs, all in sync with the hotel’s whimsical island vibe. Nearby, Dolce & Gabbana extends its Palm Beach residency through May, showcasing ready-to-wear, accessories, jewelry, and home goods.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s Living Room Series runs every Wednesday night through May and turns happy hour into a salon of ideas hosted by names like interior designer Mark D. Sikes and entrepreneur and philanthropist Katherine Parr. Evenings also segue into live music poolside, bingo, trivia, and “Sarah’s Untitled Talk Show,” the CEO’s insider view of Palm Beach society with a wink. Equal parts escape and experience, The Colony continues to define what it means to live artfully in Palm Beach. thecolonypalmbeach.com.
May 8, 2025
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