Multi-faceted Palm Beach offers accommodation that caters for an eclectic spectrum of tastes, so if you are looking for boutique refinement, The Brazilian Court Hotel is the perfect hideaway for you. Positioned in the heart of Palm Beach Island, it is nestled among the wealthiest houses in the area – the ‘Rodeo Drive’ of Palm Beach, Worth Avenue, is a mere four-minute walk away.
Hotel
The hotel oozes old-world glamour in abundance. The likes of Hepburn and Sinatra used The Brazilian Court as their staycation escape of choice and this draw has carried on to the present day with the likes of Megan Trainor and Michael Jordan known to frequent the hotel.
Built-in 1926, the Spanish Colonial style is both timeless and elegant; the upscale tropical courtyard with strategically placed palm trees and a statement fountain is picture postcard perfect. The hotel has been designed to resemble a country manor and this can be seen within retro staircases used instead of impersonal lifts. Corridors lead to living room spaces with designer coffee table books and cushy sofas and a physical old-school key is still cherished here rather than a nondescript door card.
Room
Room options vary from a 400-square-foot luxury guestroom to a commodious 1,600-square-foot three-bedroom suite. There is a timeless elegance to the design of the rooms with rich mahogany, warm fabrics and old-world shutters. If you want to relive the traditional Brazilian Court experience, then opt for one of the traditional guestrooms which feature their signature floral prints along with rich silks and linens that hark back to a bygone era.
All the mod cons you would expect from a five-star hotel are present, from a flat-screen plasma TV to high-speed internet access. The hidden gem is their marbled bath with jetted tubs, there is no better treat than having your own private hydro-thermal massage pool after some retail therapy at Worth Avenue. Bathroom amenities are from renowned Gilchrist and Soames.
Food and drink
The eponymous Café Boulud from renowned chef Daniel Boulud is the star attraction at the hotel. It has been open since 2003 and is one of the most desirable dining destinations in Palm Beach. The chef flies in regularly from New York to ensure his modern French menu is updated for seasonality. Dishes are mostly separated into terre and mer.
Expect to see the likes of glazed Peacock Farm asparagus and spirulina capellini served with Maine lobster. If you are lucky, you might be offered some of Daniel’s legendary madeleines as a petit four. Portions are on the generous side of the spectrum, especially if you order items like a salmon lox for breakfast. Weather permitting, most guests prefer to dine outside on their famous terrace to enjoy the gentle Floridan breeze.
The Boulud bar is the place to see and be seen especially for an early evening aperitif. The striking backlit bar with a glowing marble bar top serves up some classy concoctions including a barrel-aged negroni and a white cosmopolitan.
Salon and spa
Discreet pampering is the name of the game here and massages and facial are offered at their private poolside treatment rooms. Their salon used to be managed by Frederic Fekkai, who can count the likes of Hillary Clinton as his client and, although the partnership ended at the back end of 2019, they’ve retained the highly-trained staff.
Their team of stylists, massage therapists, makeup artists, and nail technicians will ensure you look and feel the Palm Beach glamour.
To do
The Flagler Museum is a must-visit for anyone staying in Palm Beach. The grandiose estate was built as a gift to Henry Flagler’s wife, Mary Kenan in 1902 and here, you’ll learn of the rags-to-riches exploits of this remarkable entrepreneur of the gilded age. The buildings are filled with the most extravagant of statement pieces from the striking organ to Henry Flagler’s railcar which he travelled to Key West with. You can arrive early and enjoy a picnic by the coconut grove after purchasing light bites from Café des Beaux-Arts.
For an elevated shopping experience, head to The Royal Poinciana Plaza. Their lush courtyard is filled with boutique shops such as art galleries and wine-tasting rooms. If the weather is intemperate, then the Gardens Mall would be the ideal option. With over 150 luxury shops and 1.4 million square feet of leisure space, this is a shoppers’ paradise. And when you consider the retail opportunities in Palm Beach County, it is not surprising they are considered one of the most affluent areas in the United States.
In a nutshell
If you fancy a slice of old-world charm in Palm Beach, The Brazilian Court Hotel is just the retreat you should be considering.
Factbox
The Brazilian Court Hotel offers rooms from $509 per night.
Address: 301 Australian Ave, Palm Beach, FL 33480, United States
Phone: +1 561-655-7740
Email: info@braziliancourt.com
Website: thebraziliancourt.com
Photography courtesy of The Brazilian Court Hotel.
