When you fly your private jet 68 miles north of Miami to the PBI FBO in West Palm Beach, Florida, you’re stepping foot into one of the most exclusive getaways for the world’s elite. As the oldest municipality in southern Florida, West Palm Beach is anything but ordinary. In this charming small town, residents enjoy a five-star lifestyle, cruising in luxury cars, upscale cultural centers and the finest recreational activities.
Where to Stay
The Breakers and nearby Boca Raton Resort & Club are the grand dames of the area, eternally drawing in visitors to the affluent accommodations. Other exquisite choices include the Four Seasons and Eau Palm Beach, which Condé Nast Traveler named as one of the top 10 resorts in the state.
The Best Golf in West Palm Beach
Photo by Krzysztof Urbanowicz
There is no shortage of golf courses in West Palm Beach or Palm Beach County. One of the most notable and exclusive is the Ibis Golf & Country Club, a gated community and country club filled with elegance, convenience and rural tranquility. The club is the only one in the world where three members of the Nicklaus family designed its 18-hole championship courses—the Legend, Heritage and Tradition. Golfweek magazine hails the Legend as one of the country’s most distinctive courses and a Jack Nicklaus, Sr. masterpiece. Golf for Women magazine named Jack Nicklaus II’s Heritage course as the friendliest for women in the U.S. Designed by Steve Nicklaus, the Tradition course is known for its marvelous landscaping and views. Golf pros agree that the courses have the hardest finishing holes in the county.
If you’re doing a golf tour around the West Palm area, be sure to check out the courses at the Ironhourse Country Club and the PGA National Resort & Spa.
Where to Eat
Photo by Ralph Daily
Café Boulud: Headed by celebrated Michelin three-star chef Daniel Boulud, Café Boulud offers French-American cuisine. The seasonal menus, casual yet elegant atmosphere, and lush surroundings bring the south of France to southern Florida.
BiCE Ristorante: BiCE Palm Beach brings you some of the best Italian cuisine in the area. The restaurant is a local favorite, especially because of the pizzaccia that accompanies its delectable meals.
Bûccan: An eclectic restaurant run by chef-owner Clay Conley, Bûccan is well known for its “small plate, big flavor” tasting menu presentations that combine sophisticated flavors and textures. The trendy-yet-refined island casual atmosphere makes this the place to see and be seen. If you want something a little lighter in the afternoon, go to the on-premise sandwich shop.
The Palm Beach Life
By Rich Gasparian
There’s always plenty to do around West Palm Beach. If you’re in the mood to shop, head to Antique Row. The area has over 40 antique shops with a selection of items from the 17th to 20th centuries, making it the East Coast’s premier antique shopping district.
Visit the winter equestrian capital of the world at the International Polo Club in the Wellington neighborhood. Enjoy the scene with a gourmet brunch at the club Pavilion while wearing your best polo couture.
The Atlantic Ocean’s warm tropical waters make it ideal for yacht and catamaran excursions. If you’re an angler, charter a boat from Singer Island’s Sailfish Marina for a full or half day of deep-sea fishing. Offering daytime and nighttime fishing excursions aboard the Lady K, Bar Jack Fishing in Lantana is another good choice for deep-sea fishing exploits.