If first impressions are indeed, lasting impressions, the Hilton West Palm Beach, with its outstanding restaurants, large pool deck and equal time focus on business and leisure guest experiences, fits the bill for the ideal first impressions of the city’s downtown area.
The 400-room hotel, adjacent to the Palm Beach County Convention Center, one mile from the beach, and across the street from the CityPlace dining and shopping area, is a resort-style property in the middle of a city that over the past few years has grown into one of Florida’s more popular destinations. Another 400-room, Hilton-branded hotel is being planned in what now is the Hilton West Palm Beach’s valet parking lot.
“We are the ‘beacon of hospitality’ as you’re coming into West Palm Beach,’’ said Derrick Steinour, complex director of sales and marketing for Hilton.
“This hotel is definitely unique because of our business/convention and leisure groups. We actually blend those components from business and leisure travel into what we call ‘Bleisure.’ Our goal is for guests who come for conferences that, say, end on a Thursday, to bring the family and stay for the weekend. That’s been very successful for us. This hotel is very much geared to groups and conventions during the week, but come Thursday nights, we transition into heavy leisure.’’
These days that also means transitioning into the holiday season. For example, hotel is offering its first North Pole Retreat Suite, in which guests can stay in a suite transformed into an interactive winter wonderland.
The suite includes festive holiday décor and winter-themed amenities, such as milk and cookies at check-in, hot chocolate bombs delivered in the evening, a personalized Christmas storybook and a letter from Santa. The package also includes breakfast for four in its popular dining destination, Mezze. The suite is available through Jan. 12, 2025.
The Hilton West Palm Beach on Dec. 15 will offer “The Holiday Spirits Cocktail Experience,’’ whereby guests can learn the art of cocktail making with an interactive class and deep dive into spirits with lead mixologist, Hauk Cornell.
On Dec. 20, the hotel will feature a complimentary movie viewing under the stars of Elf.
On Dec. 22 (from 11:30 am to 3 pm), the Hilton West Palm Beach will offer a seasonal holiday buffet, festive music, kid’s activities and a visit from Santa Claus and his elf. The buffet will feature a carving station, omelet station, classic breakfast favorites, kid-friendly bites, decadent desserts, and complimentary mimosas for adults.
Santa Claus and his Elf will also take complimentary photos tableside with guests from 12-2 pm.
On New Year’s Eve, the hotel’s Galley restaurant will ring in 2025 with a surf and turf-centric meal including Florida stone crab and dry aged ribeye.
The buffet – inside Mezze restaurant – and the New Year’s Eve dinner each are good introductions into the Hilton West Palm Beach’s elevated food and beverage offerings that help separate it from a run-of-the-mill downtown hotel.
“We curate our food and beverage around our chefs, and let them put their own stamps on dishes,’’ Steinour said. “We embrace those chefs and the stories behind them.’’
Galley Patio at Dusk
It’s not unusual for the Sunday brunch crowd (guests and locals) to spill out the pool deck. Galley is a popular downtown dining spot, best known for its steak (don’t pass on the 21-ounce Cowboy Ribeye) and even its pizza.
On Thursdays of every month, the hotel and Galley host a “Dine for a Cause’’ dinner, with 10 percent of the proceeds donated to that month’s designated charity. Since its inception, the Hilton West Palm Beach has raised more than $100,000 for charitable organizations throughout Palm Beach County.
“Eating great food for a great cause,’’ Steinour said. “Our locals have always been very supportive. That’s always been very important to us, but we need to make sure we support our locals.
“We opened this property with the Hilton core values and the Related Companies ownership group’s (led by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross) values of giving back to the community, and that’s what we strive to do every single day. We are the southern end of the entire (Related Company) development, and we love welcoming our hotel guests and the locals who support us day in and and day out.’’
Photos Courtesy of Hilton West Palm Beach