Eau Palm Beach
by R. COURI HAY
Image Source: Avenue.com
Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa
Perched on a seemingly endless pristine beach on the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by lush tropical gardens is the specular Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa,. Gloriously reimagined from its previous identity as the Ritz-Carlton by iconic potter, designer and author Jonathan Adler, the resort’s rooms, suites and public spaces are now playful, comfortable and breathtaking to behold. Filled with whimsical treasures all of Adler’s colorful rooms transport guests to a tranquil but fun filled retreat, with color schemes of blue and white spotted with dashes of yellow as homage to the brilliant Florida sunshine. “ Palm Beach is lemon sorbet for the soul,” Adler says, “and the rooms needed to communicate that. The hotel is right on the ocean, so that inspired the color palette. I adore blue, yellow, and white because that’s what a vacation should be: sea, sun, and sky.”Designer Jonathan Adler
Jonathan Adler, interior designer of Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa
Taking notes from his own vacation home and getaways in Palm Beach, Adler has created a tropical haven for the sophisticated traveler yearning for a tailored experience. The rooms entryways have silver bamboo detailing with shades of cerulean, nickel and chrome accents that draw your eye into the space and then back out to the ocean views. The curtains, over the sliding glass doors to the balcony, are the deep navy of the sea, with crisp white borders that have the feel of an ocean side cabana. Among Adler’s gestures to this historic setting is a glamorous portrait of Lady Daphne Cameron by photographer Slim Aarons, which hangs on one of the living room walls. The designer also commissioned pieces by contemporary artists including Leila Jeffreys, Donald “Drawbertson” Robertson and Jenna Snyder-Phillips to enhance the rooms. “The art in hotels is usually an afterthought, whereas the first thing I thought of for this project was the art,” said Adler. Fittingly, the hotel was just featured on the Condé Nast Traveler Top 10 Best Resorts in Southeast Florida list. Eau Spa The most sensual of all the amenities here is the hotel’s not to be missed award-winning 42,000 square feet Eau Spa. I spent a day being pampered here and I thought I was at the Golden Door or Rancho Le Puerta. From the expert mani, pedi, facial and massage to the whirl pool, steam, sauna and rain showers, I felt I was in Nirvana. Town & Country named it one of the Top 15 Spas in the World and Condé Nast has given it numerous rankings including the Readers choice.
Eau Palm spa
Award as one of the Top 25 Spas in the World. The Eau Zone’s Relaxation Lounge with luxurious spa cabanas allows for total sensory escape. Among the spa’s services I recommend is the Scrub & Polish Bar that allows you to choose from a dozen formulas and of course there is a full service beauty salon. You’ll be in heaven at Eau spa. Other amenities here include Har-tru tennis courts, two swimming pools and a varied menu of activities for the whole family. These include a sea life exploration excursion and a pirate-ship-themed playground with mini rock-climbing walls for the children or why not create your own rock band in the hotels state of the art DJ studio or dance in Coast, the young adult social space. Enormous coconut palms shade the pools and courtyard, which are serviced by attendants there to fulfill your every wish from iced drinks and sunscreen to cool face towels.
Where To Go and What To Do
Eau Palm Beach is 15 minutes away from Worth Avenue; Palm Beach’s premiere shopping street, as well as the AREAS best restaurants and nightspots. Dine at the iconic Ta-Boo, have drinks at The Colony and if you know a member, have dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Donald’s Trump’s private club, once the home of cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and her daughter, Dina Merrill, who still reigns as Palm Beach’s grand dame. Check out renowned chef Clay Conley’s menu at Buccan and Daniel Boulud’s Café Boulud at The Brazilian Court Hotel. The Breakers hotel has a hot new spot called HMF named after oil tycoon Henry Morrison Flagler that attracts the “bright young things” of Palm Beach Society. Head to the PB Boys Club to rent a paddleboard before you head out to the beach and feel free to spend your night at Alchemist Gastropub, which serves bacon instead of nuts at the bar, and bring out an attractive late night crowd.
Culinary Treats
That said, dining at Eau Palm Beach tantalizes the senses just as much as the rest of the resort. The breakfast buffet is among the very best in South Florida with an endless selection of every breakfast treat you can imagine and an unparalleled view of the ocean view from the terrace is how you want to start every day. ALL the hotels restaurants use fresh ingredients sourced locally in combination with a wide array of imported items such as rare caviars and artisanal cheeses. The culinary side of this hotel is not to be missed. The modern-American Angle restaurant offers fresh line-caught fish, dry-aged prime beef, a unique selection of cocktails and an extensive wine collection. The posh décor sets the scene for the restaurant’s main feature, an under-lit onyx and amber Chef’s table that is strategically placed in the center of the dining room. The hotel also offers lunch and light bites with scenic oceanfront views on their sprawling terrace. Try the crab burger with fries and a fresh lemonade and enjoy the breeze. This becomes a family-friendly restaurant at the end of the day. Try the tamarind glazed short rib or the decadent black truffle lunette as the sun goes down. The house sangria, prepared tableside, is an indulgence you won’t regret trying. The swanky lobby-side Stir Bar becomes a lounge where you can sip a signature beverage on the open-air terrace or around the cozy fire pit. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Asian flavorings of local celebrity chef Sushi Jo attracts the foodie crowd before a live DJ spins mixes for the late night revelers.
The dazzling rejuvenation of Eau Palm Beach has transformed what both veteran and first-time Palm Beach patrons imagine when they think of tropical luxury. With a new frisky feel that still stays true to the historic and opulent aura that the community is synonymous with, Eau Palm Beach is the newest and shiniest jewel on the shores. In truth in you can check in for a week or weekend and never leave and feel you’ve experienced the best of Palm Beach. Why not take a complete mind / body vacation and discover this treasure in the sand for yourself.