Picture this: a pastel-pink paradise where vintage Palm Beach charm meets modern whimsy. That’s The Colony Hotel Palm Beach, and I recently spent a sun-soaked afternoon there, sipping and savoring at Swifty’s. Spoiler: it was as dreamy as it sounds. Today, I’m sharing a peek into this iconic spot—complete with photos from my lunch—plus a little something extra: my watercolor print of The Colony, available now on lauratrevey.com. Let’s dive into the magic!”

The Pink Paradise Unveiled

The Colony Hotel isn’t just a place—it’s a vibe. Known as the ‘Pink Paradise’ for its signature blush exterior, this gem blends old-school Palm Beach glamour with a fresh, playful edge. Walking in, you’re hit with the lobby—aka ‘The Living Room’—and its Instagram-famous de Gournay wallpaper. Think hand-painted flamingos, alligators, and Johnny Brown, the hotel’s cheeky monkey mascot, dancing across pink Edo Xuan paper. Add soft pink velvet, bamboo lattice, brass palm tree sconces, and a 10-foot pagoda over the fireplace, and you’ve got Kemble Interiors dialing the glam up to eleven. It’s nostalgic yet totally now—a perfect muse for any artist.

Lunch at Swifty’s: A Feast for the Senses

Then there’s Swifty’s, where I parked myself for lunch. Tucked poolside, this spot is a riot of tropical chic—think ‘monkeys behaving badly’ on more de Gournay murals, paired with crisp white linens and pops of color. I snapped photos of my meal (stay tuned for those!)—a fresh, zesty plate that matched the vibe: light, bright, and oh-so-Palm Beach. Sipping a citrusy drink, I couldn’t help but soak in the scene: the Brown Jordan furniture, the retro-modern buzz, and that unmistakable feeling of stepping into a golden era. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to linger—and sketch.

The Decor That Inspires

The whole hotel is an artist’s dream. The 89 guest rooms, designed by Mimi McMakin of Kemble Interiors, play with four color schemes—pale green, ocean blue, sky blue, and Palm Beach pink. Rattan valances, cloudlike molding, and custom Society Social furniture mix with luxe Matouk linens and Schumacher fabrics. Elevators flaunt de Gournay murals of Palm Beach life, while villas like Villa Jasmine (Aerin Lauder’s masterpiece) dazzle with rattan, pecky cypress, and botanical prints. The Chairish Villa goes full maximalist with a monkey chandelier, leaf-print bedspreads, and over 40 artworks. From pool to plate, it’s a tropical-vintage love letter to a storied past—think Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra sipping martinis here decades ago.

My Take: The Colony in Watercolor

My Colony watercolor print captures that pink-hued magic in my own style. You can snag it—along with other originals and prints—at lauratrevey.com. It’s my way of bottling up that Palm Beach sparkle for your walls. Check out my photos from my visit and let me know what you think!

Featured Download

Love a splash of Palm Beach Pink in your life? My new Palm Beach Living printable watercolor art, filled with pink bougainvillea ties it all together. Download it in 8x10 ($7), or 16x20($15) HERE. Bring my art home today! 

Keep the creative vibes flowing!  — Laura Trevey