Lumira Travels / Palm Beach, Florida

Palm Beach is just a sliver of an island but its miniature size belies a maximalist approach to colour and joy. With an average year-round temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit), it’s one of the world’s great vacation destinations. LUMIRA founder Almira Armstrong is fortunate to have once called Palm Beach home and she returned to the island to create our newest luxury candle, Solar Neroli, a citrus-heavy composition that celebrates the exuberant atmosphere of this summertime playground. Here, Armstrong shares her top picks of where to stay, eat and play in Palm Beach.

Stay

Palm Beach boasts some truly spectacular architecture and The Breakers is just one breath-taking example. Originally built in the Renaissance Revival style, the luxury hotel opened in winter 1895 and has had a colourful history over the past 130 years – including twice burning to the ground. Now one of the world’s most iconic resorts, the sprawling waterfront property includes a beach club, swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses, restaurants and boutiques. Regardless of whether you stay there, lunch at the Seafood Bar is a quintessential Palm Beach experience.  

When it opened in 1947, The Colony was nicknamed ‘the pinkest hotel in Palm Beach’ and its recent facelift by feted interior designer Celerie Kemble leans into this whimsical history. From the custom de Gournay wallpaper in the suites to the green-and-white scalloped sunshades by the swimming pool, every detail is an ode to the pretty and the preppy.

Eat

The Royal Poinciana Plaza is not only a must-visit shopping destination, it’s also home to some of the best lunch spots in town. Slide into one of the circular booths at Sant Ambroeus and enjoy a sublime Caprese or the best risotto in town in the glamorous mid century-style dining room. Leave room for dessert – the signature Sant Ambroeus gelato cart is impossible to resist. Armstrong also likes Palm Beach Grill for classic club fare like shrimp cocktails, cheeseburgers and the perfect steak and fries. 

When she’s not at the Royal Poinciana, Armstrong heads to Buccan for “the best sandwiches for lunch and the freshest sushi for dinner”. With its buzzy atmosphere and seasonally-inspired menu, this sophisticated bistro frequently books out so it pays to make a reservation ahead of time.

Play

As you’d expect, the beaches here are impeccable, all rolling white sands and sparkling aquamarine waters. Stroll along Municipal Beach or hire a bike and cycle along the waterfront path of the Lake Trail.

Shopping is another favourite pastime here and Worth Avenue is home to two blocks of designer stores and high-end independent boutiques. As you browse the mix, don’t forget to explore the alleys and back streets, too – “these little hidden ‘vias’ remind me of being in Italy”, says Armstrong. 

She recommends exploring Via Coquina and Serena & Lily for their breezy coastal homewares; Living With Ivey for the island’s best edit of clean beauty products; and Hive West Palm Beach for an eclectic assortment of fashion and lifestyle pieces.

It’s well worth making a trip to West Palm Beach on the mainland to visit the incredible Norton Museum of Art Sculpture Garden. Designed by architect Lord Norman Foster, the lush tropical gardens are studded with sculptures by the likes of Antony Gormley, Jenny Holzer, Fernand Léger and Keith Haring.

Written by Michelle Bateman