White Elephant Resorts expands to Florida with White Elephant Palm Beach. The 32-room property in the former Bradley Park Hotel was originally constructed in 1924 as one of the first resorts on Palm Beach’s Main Street.
During its century-long history, it was initially owned by Colonel Edward R. Bradley, who ran a private and celebrated Beach Club casino on land that is today Bradley Park. For more than 20 years, the hotel served as a magnet for business tycoons and high rollers who frequented the salon.
Over the decades that followed, the hotel remained a mainstay for seasonal visitors. Last year it was completely rebuilt while maintaining its historic character. The hotel is less than two blocks from the Atlantic Ocean and one block from the Intracoastal Waterway.
The property takes advantage of the South Florida sunshine and features a U-shaped outdoor courtyard that is the social heart of the hotel—a place to relax and recharge, whether lounging on the patio or around the pool.
The landscaping features mature, local flora whose lush colors and tropical fragrances envelop guests. Previews of the property started earlier this year, when White Elephant Palm Beach’s signature restaurant Lola 41—a Nantucket staple—began serving its globally-inspired dishes and local seafood specialties.
White Elephant Palm Beach maintains the welcoming feel of a private residence with 13 rooms and 19 suites spread across four stories. The design captures the spirit of a grand home while maintaining the ambiance of a landmarked boutique hotel. Breaking from the bright pinks and greens that dominate the Palm Beach aesthetic, the White Elephant Palm Beach features a neutral color palette with sleek metal accents and vibrant pops of color.
Outside, the Mizner-style facade is painted a light, creamy-white color with classic black-and-white striped awnings, terracotta roof tiles, and black trim to bring a fresh, sophisticated look to the classic structure. Guests are welcomed onto the property by a seven-foot white elephant statue by Santa Fe-based artist Fredrick Prescott. (A “sister” elephant statue, Trunket, is on the grounds of White Elephant in Nantucket.)
The statue is just one of 120 original pieces of colorful modern and pop art personally curated by the owners and Elkus Manfredi. The museum-worthy collection is on display throughout the rooms and common spaces. Featured artists 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.
Guestrooms and suites range from 510 to 3,000 square feet featuring custom-designed furniture. King-size beds are outfitted with Pratesi linens with upholstered backboards accented in a colorful palm and flower print. The same fabric is found on the back of the desk chairs and on the throw pillow piping. Other noteworthy pieces include console tables by Selamat Designs in collaboration with the heritage brand, Morris & Co, which are wrapped inside and out with authentic William Morris “Strawberry Thief” covering. The pattern was originally created in 1883. Each suite is furnished with plush gray and cream armchairs and couches. The custom-designed wooden arches that frame the entrance to some of the rooms are a defining architectural element of the hotel.
The two penthouse suites are ideal for those who want to entertain, with large living rooms, fully equipped kitchens, and terraces ranging between 800 to 1,200 square feet. With views of Bradley Park, the Park Suite is a three-bedroom that can be expanded into four, and the ocean-facing Palm Suite is a two-bedroom that can be expanded into three.
Among other amenities, guests enjoy complimentary use of Priority Bicycles and Radio Flyer Wagons as well as exclusive access to Barton & Gray yachts for excursions. White Elephant Palm Beach has also partnered with BMW. Guests can be chauffeured into town in a 7 Series; and the remainder of the fleet are available for guests to sign out for a few hours on a first-come, first-serve basis. A shuttle is also offered to transport guests between the beach and property, and complimentary sweet treats from the White Elephant ice cream cart are available poolside daily.