Pretty In Pink

The Colony Hotel palm beach exudes glamour. But underneath its posh pink exterior lies a chic and cheeky retreat. 

Known for opening the season in style, the island icon now has an over-the-top welcome for visitors: a jaw-dropping renovation. When the doors open Oct. 29, the transformation will prove what guests have known for decades: There’s a reason this historic gem has lured guests like Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland over the years.

The revamp is inching its way through the 89-room boutique hotel – ballrooms, dining areas and several suites have been completed – while retaining the beloved signature pops of pink. The lobby, renamed the Living Room, will unveil its splendor in late November. Guest rooms are next on the itinerary, the final phase of the sweeping makeover. 

Chic takes center stage in the Living Room where Celerie Kemble’s Kemble Interiors created an intimate spot that feels like a cozy private home. Pink velvet, natural grass cloth, bamboo lattice and gray linen accent the original black terrazzo floors. Also new is all-day beverage, cocktail and lite bite service. The finishing touch is a 10-foot pagoda that soars above the fireplace.

And for the cheeky: Enter famed hand-painted wallpaper brand de Gournay, which created a custom-designed wallpaper exclusively for the space – inspired by a mid-century mural that originally adorned the lobby when the hotel opened in 1947. 

“I discovered an old postcard image of the mural titled, ‘The Early Days in Palm Beach,’” explains Colony co-owner Sarah Wetenhall in a press release. “We worked hand-in-hand with de Gournay to create this unique ‘love letter’ to The Colony and Palm Beach. It was our mission to embody the whimsy and humor of our beloved hotel, brought to life through the meticulous artistry of de Gournay.”  

The result features flora and fauna indigenous to South Florida, hand-painted on custom pink paper with alligators slinking from shallow pools; panthers donning diamond necklaces; and Johnnie Brown, the Colony’s spider-monkey mascot, waving the hotel’s pennant from his perch in a palm tree. Like what you see? Framed panels will be available for sale. 

The whimsy carries over to sun-filled guest rooms, all with different décor schemes. For a memorable stay, check into one of the multi-bedroom villas, housed in the historic Mediterranean-style Casa Manana.

We’ve got our eye on the newly renovated Sisters Suite, a design collaboration between local style aficionados Palm Beach Lately and decor brand Serena & Lily. A coastal cool vibe – with a retro-chic twist – permeates the 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom, three-bath spot, and a living room, dining room and kitchen make for relaxed extended stays. 

Despite the changes, some familiar faves remain. Swifty’s restaurant, which made a splash when it opened as a pop-up last season, is back with outdoor dining and expanded service. Rebranded as Swifty’s Pool, it will serve lunch, dinner and cocktails poolside along with alfresco seating under the hanging garden. Live music and socially distanced events complete the ambiance.

The indoor dining room will serve dinner starting in mid-December. Expect delights like twin burgers and baked meatloaf along with new additions from local fisheries and farms. Intimate banquette seating, warm mirrored lighting and classic décor elements from the original New York restaurant await, including Tim Snell’s menu illustrations as well as art curated by New York’s Voltz Clarke Gallery.

Meanwhile, CPB restaurant, helmed by Executive Chef Tom Whitaker, continues serving up contemporary American cuisine.

While it might be tempting to eat, drink and be merry during your stay at The Colony, there are plenty of other activities to experience. Hop aboard the custom Beach Buggy to the ocean, where pink (of course) umbrellas and chairs await; ride a beach cruiser bike; unwind with morning yoga by the pool; enjoy a paddleboard excursion; or shop ’til you drop along Worth Avenue. Children’s activities are also available. 

The hotel’s website says it all: “The Colony sparkles like a rare jewel, catching the sunlight and making everything just a little more captivating.” 

The Colony Hotel Palm Beach is located at 155 Hammon Ave. For more information, call 561-655-5430 or visit thecolonypalmbeach.com.