You might say that tony Palm Beach, a narrow, twelve-mile-long barrier island, takes the shape of a catwalk. That fits. This home to billionaires aplenty, which lies just north of Miami and Fort Lauderdale, boasts an unending array of soignée denizens and glitterati perpetually strutting their fashionable stuff on sidewalks, in shops, galleries and at al fresco cafes. A hotspot for passionate Lily Pulitzer lovers, this terminus for the moneyed set wouldn’t dream of donning anything faux from Goutard to Gucci. You get the picture. It’s a den of authentic opulence on a world class stage. While living here used to mean old money taking up residence in 1920’s era Mediterranean Revival mansions (by geniuses by the likes of Addison Mizner), this beachside getaway has mellowed somewhat, with new money and younger folks making a stylish mark amongst the beau monde in what might be the US’s most chichi community. Enter the island’s newest hotel and social hub: The Vineta. Family-owned Oetker Hotels’ first US addition to its Masterpiece Collection, created in collaboration with owner partners the Rueben Brothers, it’s a modern redo of The Chesterfield, a landmark, re-sewn with European flair and developed with modern gusto. More diminutive than some of Oetker’s other coveted hotels—Le Bristol in Paris, Brenner’s Park in Baden Baden, Jumby Bay in Antigua, for example—La Vineta has just 41 guestrooms and suites, each a sanctum designed by Tino Zervudachi. Worth Avenue beckons just steps away, as do a number of pristine sandy beaches. Not a surfer boy’s vibe, this isn’t the place you come to hang ten. Rather, The Vineta lures you in for some see-and-be-seen pool time, gastronaut-level meals at its Rivera-esque restaurant, Coco’s, and a design-driven holiday likely to include natty repartee with locals and well-heeled visitors alike. Throughout the hotel evocative design motifs—palm fronds, ibises—play like a signature scent, stamping the architectural airiness with a distinct understated glamour that feels like a beach chic homage to both old and new. Don’t miss the luxurious pool beds and custom shell-shaped pool ladders. Families or larger groups should opt for the splendorous two-bedroom Presidential Suite, which has the hotel’s only soaking tub and the option to expand to a fully private wing. oetkerhotels.com/hotels/the-vineta-hotel
