Taking over an iconic hotel built in 1924 on one of Palm Beach’s most fashionable main streets, The White Elephant is a 32-room boutique property (with 13 rooms and 19 suites spread across four stories) that offers the glamour of the 1920s with all the modern amenities of a five-star luxury hotel.
The Addison Mizner–style facade was fully restored in creamy-white stucco, black trim, and terracotta roof tiles. Black-and-white striped awnings offer a polished, fabled look. Guests are welcomed by a seven-foot white elephant statue by Santa Fe–based artist Fredrick Prescott.
Designed by Elkus Manfredi, the hotel has more of the feel of an upscale private residence, featuring a neutral color palette with metal accents, vibrant splashes of color, and more than 120 pieces of artwork, carefully curated by the owners and design firm, on display throughout the common areas and guest rooms. An original fireplace mantel welcomes guests in the lobby. The hardwood floors, Carrara marble, elegant tiles, and woven rugs offer a luxurious, textured contemporary style.
Artists on display include Robert Rauschenberg, whose early creations in the 1950s anticipated the pop art movement, and Jennifer Bartlett, known for her small, square steel plates that are combined in grid formations to create large-scale works. Several pieces by painter Kenzo Okada, the first Japanese-American artist to receive international acclaim using abstract expressionist style, are on display, as are works by Donald Baechler, part of the East Village, New York, 1980s art movement.
A 54-inch-round acrylic work by Orit Fuchs was specifically created for the hotel and is a focal point of the lobby; six prints by Yinka Shonibare can be found on the second-floor corridor. Doodle Boy, a 10-year-old British artist, was commissioned to create 30 exclusive pieces for the powder rooms. Using clean black lines hand drawn with a thick marker, he incorporated a hidden signature elephant in each of his drawings.
Each guest room door is outfitted with an elephant door knocker. Upon entering your spacious room, you are greeted with an impeccable designscape, featuring custom furniture and plush couches covered in soothing gray and cream-colored fabrics. The ultra dreamy king-sized beds are outfitted with Pratesi linens and upholstered backboards accented in a colorful palm and floral print. Console tables by Selamat Designs, in collaboration with Morris & Co., are wrapped inside and out with authentic William Morris “Strawberry Thief” covering. The bathrooms feature marble tiles, double stone sinks, a dry vanity, and glass-enclosed showers. Everything is automated including temperature, shades, and lighting, which can be set to any mood you wish. The guest rooms are so beautiful and comfortable, you may just forgo exploring the city.
When you are ready to get some of Florida sunshine, an outdoor courtyard offers the perfect spot to relax or take a dip in the pool. The manicured grounds feature mature palm trees and lush, fragrant flora. White Elephant Palm Beach’s signature restaurant Lola 41—a Nantucket staple—serves globally inspired dishes and local seafood specialties. If you’re able to get a spot on the patio, I highly recommend it.
For more information, visit whiteelephantpalmbeach.com