The Brazilian Court Hotel

Hotel description

Though in recent years it’s often overlooked in favor of bolder, brasher Miami, Palm Beach is, to many minds, the classic South Florida destination. There’s a classic, old-world atmosphere here that the trendy boutiques of South Beach just can’t match. And this is the feeling that the Brazilian Court distills to its essence.

The construction dates back to the Twenties, and inside it’s refreshingly free of rattan, florals, and tropic kitsch. Instead expect a refined, upscale colonial look, with dark mahogany woodwork and classic antique furnishings. Eighty studio rooms and suites wrap around quiet central courtyards, and all come with top-notch appointments and amenities, including wet bars, jetted tubs, and Frédéric Fekkai bath products — only natural, given the presence of the Fekkai salon and spa.

This is grown-up luxury at its most romantic. What you lose in beach-front convenience (don’t worry, it’s only two blocks away) you gain in tranquil seclusion. Some travelers may prefer the fashion-show atmosphere and velvet-rope nightclubs of Miami Beach — a distinctly different class, however, prefers the quiet elegance of Daniel Boulud’s Café Boulud, and the refined charm of the Brazilian Court Hotel.