CHARTER A COURSE Palm Beach, Florida | PBI

CHARTER a COURSE

Palm Beach, Florida

The storied resort setting of Palm Beach Island is hardly what you would call up and coming, but there’s no denying it’s going through a notable shift due to the explosive growth of year-round residents (like our Editor-in-Chief) and sister properties from northern states like New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

RECENT YEARS HAVE SEEN RESTAURANTS, hotels and art galleries from both New York City and Nantucket open outposts on the historic isle of palm trees and Lilly Pulitzer. As a result, the island is as bustling as ever and filled with worthy spots to hit, both new and old.

WHERE TO STAY If you’re a fan of White Elephant in Nantucket, why not check out its sister property, whose chic, contemporary stylings and buzzy restaurant and bar scene—thanks to another Nantucket outpost, Lola Restaurant—are befitting of its in-town location. The Colony Hotel has seen a recent revamping from notable interior designer Celerie Kemble, restoring it to its rightful position as an elegant palace of pink and green. Of course, one is hard pressed not to consider The Breakers, Palm Beach’s most iconic resort, as their residence of choice while visiting the island; the property boasts multiple pools, restaurants, a kids’ club that your children will beg for, a massive gym and spa area, plus tennis courts and a full 18-hole golf course. And if being downtown is not essential to your needs, the Four Seasons Palm Beach has one of the best beach locations on the island, as well as a notable in-house restaurant and generously proportioned, mid-century-styled guestrooms.

WHERE TO DINE With so many options and so many diners, finding the right spot for dinner can be a challenge on Palm Beach. If you plan ahead, perennial favorites such as Buccan, Bice, La Sirena in West Palm and the recently opened

Le Bilboquet are well worth the fuss, while stalwart classics like Pizza al Fresco, PB Catch and Table 26 serve guaranteed fresh, lively meals with a fun scene to boot. One of the best parts of Palm Beach is the dining scene, with long lunches and early dinners that make for great people watching. And don’t forget brunch at Swifty’s, another NYC-gone-south hotspot— and yet another smashing success.

WHAT TO DO Shopping in Palm Beach is a must-do, from the luxury brands on Worth Avenue, to the bolt holes tucked in the bougainvillea-laden gallerias just off Worth, to the recently revamped Royal Poinciana Plaza and the home stores and surf shops that reside on South County. Some of our must-hits include Well Made Home on South County for design inspiration and accessories, Peter Millar on Worth Avenue for the most discerning selection of their line and Celis Produce in the Royal Poinciana Plaza for top-notch smoothies like the tropical-flavored Blue Majik. Once you’ve exhausted yourself shopping, the beach, with its white sand and aquamarine waters, offers the perfect respite for your weary toes. If a more ambitious beach visit is of interest, check out P.B. Boys Club for some watersports gear and surf and skim board lessons. Families will appreciate the nearby zoo and waterpark, while antique hunters will be hard pressed to think of another place with so many galleries confined to one area than Antique Row, over in West Palm.

HOW TO GET THERE Though commercial flights fly into PBI, it is one of Tradewind’s most popular charter routes, often with empty leg flights either to or from.