A Nostalgic Escape: Our Stay at The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach

Last September, I slipped away for a two-night stay at the iconic Colony Hotel with my forever +1, Poor Kent, our favorite daughter, and equally favorite son-in-law, a little birthday celebration for her, first time visit to The Pink Paradise for me.

What unfolded wasn’t just a getaway; it was an imprint on my heart. The setting, the company, and the sheer Colony-ness of it all blended into something so chic and so memorable that I’m still chasing traces of that magic at home. (That calls for a separate series of posts, but for starters, check out Backyard Bliss – My Amazon Backyard Makeover, which – sorry, Poor Kent – was only the first of many Colony Hotel inspired home refreshers – I’m looking at you new Living Room wallpaper – all amazing “souvenirs” from this grand escape.)

But back to The Pink Paradise…

A Storied Icon

Since 1947, The Colony Hotel has been Palm Beach’s pinkest, most fabulous stage. Royals, celebrities, and society darlings have all swanned through its doors. Its signature façade doesn’t just mark a hotel — it announces an institution, a gathering place where style has been perfected for generations.

And yet, it never feels stuffy. It’s playful, it’s charming, it’s an icon with a wink.

My Chinoiserie Heaven

Walking into The Colony feels like stepping into a Palm Beach daydream — and for me, it was my chinoiserie obsession meeting its match. The grand entrance is a riot of pattern and polish and I am here for it all…palm fronds, pastel hues, and those iconic hand-painted de Gournay wallpapers that made me audibly gasp (to the amusement, and then sheer panic of Poor Kent). Every corner whispered, this was made for you, and I was powerless to disagree. It wasn’t just décor; it was destiny — proof that a love affair with chinoiserie can, in fact, find its perfect stage.

Two Villas, Two Stories

While the main hotel rooms at The Colony are chinoiserie-chic perfection, we were completely spoiled by our friends at The Colony Hotel and able to experience not one but TWO stunning villas — the Residences – which are normally reserved for “residents” staying one month or longer during the social season, but thanks to our partnership with The Colony Hotel, Filling the Nest can often arrange shorter stays.

Each one told its own story. And each one of the 14 residences at The Colony Hotel is uniquely styled and decorated by different style icons.

VILLA LANTANA is a Serena & Lily dream — breezy coastal whites layered with blues so crisp they felt pulled straight from the Atlantic. Think light, airy, barefoot elegance. And patio doors opening immediately to the lush garden path leading to the Residences-only pool. We loved it so much that our blissful retreat may or may not have sparked an entire guest house redo when I returned home (Poor Kent is still recovering and yes, that refresh with pics will make it to this series soon).

The Aerin Lauder–designed VILLA JASMINE embodies breezy sophistication. Awash in soft whites and airy light, it balances effortless glamour with coastal ease. Subtle patterns, chic furnishings, and sun-dappled spaces create a villa that feels both timeless and inviting — a serene, stylish escape that whispers Palm Beach at its most graceful.

Both Villa Lantana and Villa Jasmine have 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms – and for those who know me well, having 2 bathrooms when PK and I travel is my #1 luxury…we were in heaven!

Dining That Still Makes Me Smile

Palm Beach is synonymous with a certain kind of dining — polished, playful, and always a touch decadent. And staying at The Colony Hotel means you’re in the middle of it all.

• Buccan Palm Beach stole the show: chic, lively, with flavors as bold as the crowd around us.
• Renato’s charmed us with its old-world elegance — candlelit courtyards, and Italian classics served with Palm Beach polish.

But why leave The Colony Hotel at all?

Swifty’s at The Colony Hotel delivered bingo nights and cocktails poolside, a playful tradition in full Palm Beach technicolor, and some pretty fab breakfasts and lunches as well

Every meal became its own vignette — proof that in Palm Beach, dining is never just about the food.

The Colony Pool Scene

Ah, the pool. The true heartbeat of The Colony. Picture it…

Signature cocktails sweating in pink glasses, caftans fluttering in the breeze, and that perfect hum of conversation from tables sprinkled with tastemakers.

The chinoiserie accents — layered, timeless, and utterly Colony — made me swoon. Every afternoon felt like stepping into a Slim Aarons photograph: glamorous yet strangely effortless.

And that’s just the main pool.

Guests staying in The Residences also have access to a private “residents only” second pool and it quickly became our little slice of private paradise, interrupted only by the service of pool drinks and hearty fare delivered on cue, and on repeat.

The Colony House Car

The House Car inevitably became one of those little luxuries we didn’t know we needed but couldn’t stop using. Whether it was a quick jaunt down Worth Avenue for shopping or a seamless drop-off at dinner, it made getting around Palm Beach feel effortless. (Poor Kent was delighted not to play chauffeur for once — and I wasn’t mad about arriving in style.)

The Beach Butler Experience

One of my favorite Colony touches was the Beach Butler service. We barely had to think about it — our loungers and striped umbrellas were perfectly set up by the ocean before we even arrived. Chilled waters in hand, toes in the sand, and that unmistakable Colony polish… it felt like Palm Beach had been staged just for us.

Why It Stays With Me

Some trips fade as soon as you unpack. This wasn’t one of them.

The Colony has seeped into my spirit, my home, even my wardrobe choices. It wasn’t just villas or service (though both were perfection). It was the feeling of stepping into something timeless, of being welcomed into Palm Beach’s chicest inner circle — if only for two glittering days.

And it left me wanting, needing, and immediately planning …MORE!

The Perfect Excuse for a Girls’ Trip

As much as I adored sharing this slice of paradise with family, let’s be honest: The Colony was built for girlfriends.

Imagine:

• Chinoiserie-filled villas that feel like a set from Palm Royale.
• Long, laughter-filled lunches that stretch past champagne refills.
• Bingo nights at Swifty’s where the competition is as fierce as the cocktails.
• Afternoons of shopping, poolside lounging, and vintage-hunting just steps away.

It practically begs for caftans, confessions, and core memories made with your closest circle. Which, of course, is exactly what’s happening this week when I return with my Flights of Fancy girls’ trip.

So stay tuned for our Caftans & Confessions FLIGHT OF FANCY — because this is a sequel worth watching.

Ready to plan your own Colony Hotel escape?

We’ll make sure it’s seamless, styled, and every bit as magical —

from your villa keys to your dinner reservations.

Virtuoso travelers receive:

For 2025:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast credit of $60 per person, for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant (credit is non-cumulative)
• $100 USD Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

And in case you need further inspiration to plan a Palm Beach escape to The Colony Hotel, with our compliments:

CAFTANS & CONFESSIONS | PALM BEACH STYLE GUIDE 2025

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