THE COLONY HOTEL A Love Letter to Classic Palm Beach

The Colony Hotel

A Love Letter to Classic Palm Beach

By Giovana

There are places that simply welcome guests.

And then there are places that become part of a destination's very soul.

The Colony Hotel belongs to the latter.

Painted in its unmistakable shade of pink and framed by graceful palm trees and vibrant bougainvillea, it is far more than one of Palm Beach's most photographed landmarks. It has become a timeless symbol of the effortless elegance that has defined this extraordinary island for generations.

For many visitors, staying at The Colony is not simply about reserving a beautiful room.

It is about experiencing Palm Beach the way locals have cherished it for decades.

Where Palm Beach Found Its Signature Style

To understand The Colony is to understand Palm Beach itself.

During the early decades of the twentieth century, legendary architect Addison Mizner forever transformed the island by introducing the architectural language that would become synonymous with its identity: the Spanish Colonial Revival.

Inspired by the romantic villas of Andalusia and the Mediterranean coast, this distinctive style embraced sun-washed stucco walls, terracotta roofs, elegant archways, wrought-iron details, lush courtyards, and gardens designed to blur the line between architecture and nature.

It was architecture created for light.

For tropical breezes.

For gracious living.

More than a century later, this timeless aesthetic continues to define the visual character of Palm Beach.

And few places embody that heritage more beautifully than The Colony Hotel.

A Boutique Icon Since 1947

Originally opened in 1947 as The Golf View Hotel, The Colony quickly became one of Palm Beach's most beloved addresses.

Unlike the island's grand oceanfront resorts, its charm has always been rooted in intimacy.

Elegant without ever feeling formal.

Luxurious without unnecessary excess.

It has long attracted discerning travelers, celebrated designers, artists, entrepreneurs, and generations of families who return year after year—not simply because of the accommodations, but because of the atmosphere that simply cannot be replicated.

The Colony has never tried to be the largest hotel in Palm Beach.

It has quietly become one of its most unforgettable.

Timeless Architecture, Effortless Elegance

Long before "quiet luxury" became part of today's vocabulary, The Colony was already living its philosophy.

Its architecture reflects the timeless beauty of Palm Beach without ever demanding attention.

Soft blush façades glow beneath the Florida sunshine.

Classic terracotta roofs contrast beautifully with emerald palms.

Arched walkways, traditional shutters, flowering gardens, and intimate courtyards create an atmosphere that feels wonderfully relaxed and unmistakably elegant.

Nothing feels excessive.

Everything feels intentional.

It is the kind of beauty that never follows trends because it never needed to.

Preserving the Soul of an Icon

When Andrew Wetenhall and his wife Sarah assumed stewardship of the hotel, their vision was refreshingly simple.

Not to reinvent The Colony.

But to preserve everything that had made it so beloved for generations.

Working alongside acclaimed designer Celerie Kemble, they carefully refreshed the interiors while honoring the hotel's unmistakable character.

Botanical prints, signature green-and-white stripes, sunlit lounges, and thoughtfully curated furnishings now reflect a fresh interpretation of Palm Beach style—vibrant, sophisticated, and effortlessly inviting.

The result feels contemporary without ever losing its sense of history.

More Than a Hotel

Today, The Colony has become woven into the very fabric of Palm Beach life.

Its iconic pink façade has become one of the island's most recognizable landmarks.

The charming custom bicycles lined outside have become almost as famous as the hotel itself.

The pool, framed by elegant striped cabanas, evokes the relaxed glamour of a private members' club from another era.

At the heart of it all is Swifty's, one of Palm Beach's most beloved dining destinations, where long lunches effortlessly blend into sunset cocktails and unforgettable evenings beneath the Florida sky.

The Colony is not simply where visitors stay.

It is where Palm Beach gathers.