HotelChatter

Check-In
We had called earlier in the week to inquire about an early check-in because the normal check-in time is 4:00 pm. The wedding was scheduled for 6:00 pm at a location 20 minutes away so we wanted to have time after check-in to see our out-of-town friends and enjoy the hotel’s amenities.

The reservation clerk made a note of our request but suggested we call back on the day of check-in. We called back Saturday morning and was told the room was ready. Arriving at the hotel at 1:30, we were then told that our room wasn’t ready. We explained our earlier phone call, got a little head shake from the front desk and was asked who we had spoken to. Luckily we remembered her name and that seemed to be the magic word.

Room Reaction
Our room number was 117. Our stomachs dropped once we realized it was on the first floor. We were following our bellhop to our room but at one point we thought he was just making a pit-stop and we were to wait. But he motioned us past a waiter station for the Terrace Restaurant and through what looked like service doors. Through the doors, the hallway was very dark. Later we noticed a very small sign before going through the doors indicating room numbers and an arrow pointing the way.

Once in the room, we were extremely pleased. The room was spacious though, for a beachfront hotel, furnished very darkly. The main source of light came through the sliding glass door that lead to a small outdoor patio.

We were in love with look of the distressed tile that was throughout the room and in the bathroom. The bathroom had a large glassed-in shower that gave us the option of using either a stationary showerhead or a handheld one. There was plenty of seating in the room: two armless chairs, a chair positioned at the large desk and a stool that slid out from underneath a nightstand.

WiFi Connect
WiFi was free and was accessible from our room and elsewhere in the hotel.

Amenities
The bathroom was stocked with g.r.n. toiletries, a hair dryer and, most importantly, a light–up magnifying mirror attached to the bathroom wall. The room had a big flat-screen TV, a mini-fridge and a couple of lightweight robes.

The hotel sits right on a pretty stretch of beach and also has an infinity pool and hot tub. The pool and hot tub are located on the street side of the hotel, back through the lobby. Once you are in the enclosed environs of the pool area, you wouldn’t know you are in a parking lot. Both spots have comfortable lounge chairs and food and drink service.

A branch of New York-based Exhale Spa is located in here and there is also a gym but because of our tight schedule we didn’t get to try either out. We also didn’t get a chance to dine at the restaurant Michelle Bernstein’s. We has read a positive review of it in our local paper and would like to dine there one night if we had something to celebrate.

Location, Location, Location
Being right on the beach is great. The hotel is touted as being in Palm Beach but it is actually located closer to the town of Lake Worth. Lake Worth is an artsy little town that has a lot to offer in terms of restaurants, art galleries and just strolling around. Palm Beach is, well, Palm Beach. Pretty architecture, good people watching and expensive. Between the two towns, you get the best of both worlds.

What We Liked
The bed was extremely comfortable and was tightly made up with pristine white sheets. The vibe of the hotel, including the bar area where we spent some time, was stylish and comfortable.

What We Didn't Like
As mentioned, we had to walk past a wait station for the casual MB Terrace Restaurant and through heavy doors to get to our room. It just felt awkward every time and we grew a little tired of feeling like we going through a service entrance. Also, our bed was turned down while we were at the wedding and our used towels were removed but we were not given replacement ones.

Bottom Line
We were given a special wedding party rate of $180.00 a night. Advertised room rates seem to be all over the place, from sale rates on the Omphoy web site of $239 a night and escalating up to $739 a night for an oceanfront room during the December holiday week. It’s a boutique hotel in a land of large upscale chains (it's located next door to the Palm Beach Four Seasons Hotel), in a good location and we’d stay there again. But definitely request to not be on the first floor.