Planning a trip to Palm Beach but don’t know where to book? This guide has everything you need to pick the perfect spot for your Florida vacation.
Palm Beach isn’t just an average beach town—it’s where fancy Atlantic Ocean hotels meet calm waterway views, and high-end shopping is just a short walk from family beaches. From the super exclusive Palm Beach Island to the fun nightlife in downtown West Palm Beach, each area has its own vibe. I’ll show you the best neighborhoods for different types of travelers, plus share some money-saving tips and local secrets.
Best Hotels in Palm Beach 🔥
- 💎 Luxury Hotel: The Breakers Palm Beach
- ✨ 5-Star: Palm Beach Singer Island Resort & Spa Luxury Suites
- 🏨 4-Star: Hilton West Palm Beach
- 🛏 3-Star: Hyatt Place West Palm Beach Downtown
- 💸 Cheap: Pura Vida Private Access
- 🏢 Apartment: Fernando Flats
- 👨👩👧👦 For Families: The Singer Oceanfront Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton
- 🏩 For Couples: Amrit Ocean Resort and Residences
Quick Guide to the Best Areas 📃
- 👀 For the First Time: Palm Beach Island
- 👛 For Luxury & Nightlife: West Palm Beach Downtown
- 👦🏻 For Families: Singer Island
- 💑 For Couples: Wellington
1. Palm Beach Island – Where to Stay in Palm Beach for Fancy Hotels
Atlantic Oceanfront Access. I’ve discovered that Palm Beach offers a 16-mile coastline with the clearest waters between Breakers Row and Chilian Avenue. The island’s east-west orientation provides perfect morning light on beaches, while Worth Avenue’s buildings create natural afternoon shade zones that drop temperatures by 8-10 degrees.
Worth Avenue Luxury Shopping. This four-block district houses over 200 boutiques including Cartier, Hermès, and Tiffany & Co. I always recommend staying within three blocks – you’ll save $8 hourly parking fees and can retreat to air-conditioned shops during Florida’s peak heat between 11 AM and 3 PM.
Exclusive Beach Access. Seven public access points serve the island, but Sunrise Avenue and Hammon Avenue offer the best parking availability. Private beach sections stay uncrowded since they require $150 annual resident passes or hotel guest privileges with acres of private beachfront reserved exclusively for guests.
| Essential Island Costs | Price (USD) | Insider Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Public Beach Parking | $2/hour | Use ParkMobile app for discounts |
| Beach Equipment Rental | $25/day | Arrive before 9 AM for best selection |
| Bicycle Rental | $35/day | Hotel concierge offers 20% discounts |
| Water Taxi Service | $12 one-way | Runs every 30 minutes to mainland |
Intracoastal Wildlife Viewing. The island’s western shore features calm waters where manatees surface near Flagler Memorial Bridge, especially around 7 AM when boat traffic is minimal. These protected waters along the Intracoastal waterway stay 3-4 degrees warmer than the Atlantic, perfect for year-round swimming and kayaking.
Transportation Network. Palm Beach connects to the mainland via three bridges, with the island’s free trolley system running every 15 minutes during peak season. The route covers all major areas from the Four Seasons vicinity to The Breakers area in under 20 minutes, making it easy to explore without rental cars.
Where to stay in Palm Beach Island
Expensive Hotels
- Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach – Luxury oceanfront hotel with full-service spa, private beach, and rooms and suites offering the best places to stay in South Florida.
- The Breakers Palm Beach – The famous old-school resort with 534 guest rooms and suites in the heart of Palm Beach.
- White Elephant Palm Beach – Small 32-room Spanish colonial property with Mediterranean style, private spaces, and cool perks like free BMW use.
Medium Price Range
- The Brazilian Court Hotel & Beach Club – Historic Brazilian Court hotel featuring spa and salon services with terrace dining and globally inspired cuisine.
- Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa – Mediterranean revival meets modern design with acres of private beach and palm beach vacation amenity packages.
- Palm House Palm Beach – New boutique hotel with modern style, butler service, and huge beds offering accommodation with Wi-Fi and lounge areas.
Budget Options
- ORCHID SUITES - Historic Palm Beach Hotel Condominium – Great location among places to stay in Palm Beach with modern amenities and good value for your money.
- Tropical Beach Pad – Private place one block from the beach with fully equipped kitchen and beach gear included.
2. West Palm Beach Downtown – Cultural District & Nightlife
Rosemary Square Entertainment. This 72-acre entertainment complex stays busy until 2 AM on weekends with over 60 restaurants, bars, and shops. The outdoor plaza hosts free concerts on Thursday nights from 7-9 PM, while restaurants offer happy hour deals from 4-6 PM with 30% off appetizers and drink specials.
Historic Grandview Heights. This neighborhood features over 300 preserved homes from the 1920s, showcasing original Mediterranean Revival and Colonial architecture. The area comes alive on First Friday nights from 6-9 PM when art galleries open their doors for free wine tastings and local artists display work on the streets.
Norton Museum of Art District. This world-class museum houses 7,000+ artworks spanning 4,000 years of art history, including major collections of American, Chinese, and contemporary art. Visit Thursday evenings when general admission drops to just $5 after 5 PM and enjoy live jazz performances in the outdoor sculpture garden until 9 PM.
| Getting Around Downtown | Cost (USD) | When It Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Brightline Train to Miami | $15-25 | Every 2 hours, 5:30-22:30 |
| SunTrolley Day Pass | $5 | 6 AM-11 PM daily |
| Street Parking Meters | $1.50/hour | Free after 6 PM and weekends |
| Water Taxi to Palm Beach | $12 one-way | Every 30 minutes, 10 AM-10 PM |
Clematis Street Nightlife District. Four blocks of bars and live music venues stretch from Flagler Drive to the Intracoastal, featuring everything from craft cocktail lounges to dive bars. The scene kicks off at 5 PM with $6 craft cocktails and $4 local beers, while venues like Respectable Street host live bands Thursday through Saturday nights.
CityPlace District. This upscale outdoor shopping center features 80+ stores, restaurants, and a 20-screen movie theater, all within walking distance of luxury condos. The central plaza hosts outdoor movie nights, Saturday farmers markets, and holiday festivals with live entertainment throughout the year.
Where to stay in West Palm Beach Downtown
Expensive Hotels
- PGA National Resort & Spa – Resort close to downtown with six golf courses, luxury spa, swimming pool and natural area access.
- The Ben, Autograph Collection – Boutique hotel by the water with rooftop pool and marina views offering accommodations in Palm Beach with walking distance to local attractions.
- Embassy Suites by Hilton West Palm Beach Central – Full-service hotel with pool, gym, and restaurant with convenient access to Norton Museum of Art.
Medium Price Range
- Hilton West Palm Beach – Connected to the convention center, big pool, three restaurants and free airport ride near Palm Beach International airport.
- AKA West Palm Beach – Apartment-style rooms with kitchens, pool, and they’ll even give you an electric car with access to port of Palm Beach.
- Canopy by Hilton West Palm Beach Downtown – Modern Palm Beach hotel offering contemporary amenity features and urban sophistication.
Budget Options
- Hyatt Place West Palm Beach Downtown – Cool art deco style, comfy lobby, pool, walk to everything including Henry Morrison Flagler Museum.
- Pura Vida Private Access – Small, personal place to stay that won’t break the bank in the Palm Beach area.
- Hilton Garden Inn West Palm Beach I-95 Outlets – Right by the outlets and highway, comfortable and modern hotel offers convenience for shopping on Worth Avenue.
3. Singer Island – Perfect for Family Beach Vacations
Best Family Beaches. Singer Island features the widest beaches in Palm Beach County, with some sections stretching over 200 feet from dune to waterline, giving families plenty of space to spread out. Three lifeguard stations patrol the main swimming areas from 9 AM to 5 PM daily, and the gentle slope means water stays shallow up to 50 yards out – perfect for kids learning to swim.
Peanut Island Adventure Park. This 79-acre recreational island sits just 10 minutes by water taxi from Singer Island Marina and offers a unique mix of history and outdoor fun. Kids love exploring JFK’s former nuclear fallout shelter (open for guided tours), while the island’s shallow lagoon provides calm water for snorkeling even when Atlantic waves reach 3-4 feet.
Blue Heron Bridge Snorkeling. This artificial reef attracts over 400 marine species and ranks as one of Florida’s top shore diving spots, with underwater visibility reaching 15-20 feet during incoming tides. The best viewing happens 2 hours before high tide when you can spot seahorses, octopi, rays, and nurse sharks in water just 12-15 feet deep.
| Family Fun Costs | Price (USD) | Good For What Ages |
|---|---|---|
| Peanut Island Water Taxi | $15 round-trip | All ages |
| Snorkel Gear Rental | $25/day | 8+ years |
| Double Kayak Rental | $60/4 hours | 6+ years |
| Half-Day Fishing Charter | $400 (6 people max) | 10+ years |
Phil Foster Park Facilities. This 24-acre park at the base of Blue Heron Bridge provides free parking for 200+ cars, clean restrooms, outdoor showers, and covered picnic pavilions that can be reserved for $75 per day. The park’s boat ramp offers easy access to nearby mangrove islands where families regularly launch kayaks to explore channels where dolphins play.
Riviera Beach Municipal Marina. This full-service marina houses 200+ boat slips and serves as the departure point for fishing charters, scuba diving trips, and glass-bottom boat tours to nearby reefs. The marina’s location just 2.5 miles from the Gulf Stream makes it popular for deep-sea fishing, while artificial reefs 15-20 minutes away provide excellent snorkeling opportunities.
Where to stay in Singer Island
Expensive Hotels
- Palm Beach Singer Island Resort & Spa Luxury Suites – Huge suites with ocean views, spa, butler service, all the fancy stuff creating an oasis experience.
- Amrit Ocean Resort and Residences – Wellness place focused on relaxation with private beachfront near the Intracoastal waterway.
Medium Price Range
- The Singer Oceanfront Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton – Recently updated beachfront hotel with restaurants and fitness center.
- Dog Friendly Gem with Beach Access – Pet-friendly place close to the beach with hot tub and family stuff near Delray Beach.
Budget Options
- Sand Dune Shores – Basic but good value for people who just want to be near Palm Beach water.
- Fernando Flats – Nice apartments with pool and free bikes, close to Palm Beach Zoo.
4. Wellington – Perfect for Horse Events
Wellington’s Horse Country. Wellington sits about 20 miles west of Palm Beach’s beaches, making it a 25-30 minute drive to the ocean. This town focuses entirely on equestrian life rather than beach activities, transforming into the world’s horse capital during winter season.
Winter Equestrian Festival Season. From January through March, Wellington hosts 50,000+ visitors and features over 5,000 horses competing in 12 weeks of continuous competition. Hotel rates typically triple from $120 to $360+ during peak weeks, so booking 6 months ahead ensures better selection and pricing near Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
International Polo Matches. High-goal polo runs every Sunday from January through April at International Polo Club Palm Beach, featuring the world’s top players competing on perfectly maintained fields. General admission costs just $10, while the $30 tailgate area allows outside food and drinks – many visitors pack picnics and make it a full-day social event.
Horse Trails and Activities. Wellington’s unique zoning permits horses on residential properties, creating over 15 miles of interconnected sandy trails. Early morning rides before 8 AM offer the best experience when temperatures stay below 75°F and you might spot local wildlife including deer, hawks, and waterfowl.
| Horse Event Prices | Cost (USD) | When |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Equestrian Festival | $5-15 general | January-March |
| Wellington Classic | $10-25 reserved seats | January-February |
| Polo General Admission | $10 | January-April |
| VIP Polo Experience | $150 with lunch | January-April |
Shopping and Safari. Mall at Wellington Green features over 140 stores including equestrian retailers that cater to the seasonal horse community. Located just 15 minutes away, Lion Country Safari offers a 600-acre drive-through experience with over 1,000 animals – perfect for families attending horse events who want to add wildlife viewing to their Palm Beach experience.
Where to stay in Wellington
Expensive Hotels
- Hampton Inn & Suites Wellington – Big suites, pool, free breakfast, super close to horse events offering a resort experience with quality service.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Wellington – Modern, reliable Marriott with indoor pool and easy access to equestrian events.
- Hampton Inn West Palm Beach Lake Worth Turnpike – Reliable Hampton Inn with pool, offering Palm Beach’s convenient location – good for road trips.
Medium Price Range
- Kasa Wellington South Florida – Modern 4-star apartment complex with fully equipped kitchens, resort-style pool, fitness center, and pet-friendly policies.
- Pioneer Inn West Palm Beach – Simple, cheap, good for people who just need a clean place to sleep near Mounts Botanical Garden.
- Private Retreat – Rental house for families and groups who want privacy.
Budget Options
- Hampton Inn West Palm Beach FL Turnpike – Simple and comfortable with free breakfast and pool.
- WoodSpring Suites West Palm Beach – For longer stays, pet-friendly, kitchen in every room.
FAQ about Visiting Palm Beach
Which hotels have spas?
Most of the fancy places in Palm Beach County have full spas with massages and treatments. The Breakers and Four Seasons are really good with ocean views and nice relaxation areas.
Can I bring my pet to beachfront hotels?
Many Palm Beach resorts welcome pets and give you special packages for them. White Elephant and Brazilian Court Hotel are pet-friendly and close to parks and the beach.
Which hotels near Juno Beach are on the ocean?
Hotels near Juno Beach often have private beach access and beach club privileges. You’ll get comfortable rooms with sea views and restaurants with food from around the world.
How close are Palm Beach Gardens hotels to attractions?
You can walk from many Palm Beach Gardens hotels to the Norton Museum, Flagler Museum, and botanical gardens. The area also gives you quick access to the zoo and Worth Avenue shopping.
What makes Eau Palm Beach Resort special?
Eau Palm Beach combines Mediterranean and modern design right on the coast. It has a spa, kids club, and suites with full kitchens. Plus it’s close to West Palm Beach restaurants and the airport.
