Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / United States / Palm Beach / Palm House
Palm House
Palm Beach, Florida, United States · Iconic Luxury Hotels · Core Luxury
Palm House reopened in November 2024 after 17 years standing empty, the building's previous life as the Heart of Palm Beach hotel having ended in 2007 when its owner was later convicted of fraud and money laundering tied to the property's stalled renovation. London-based Iconic Luxury Hotels bought the derelict site for nearly $40 million in a 2019 bankruptcy sale and rebuilt it into a 79-room hotel that earned a MICHELIN One Key in 2025, its restaurant pairing Japanese and Peruvian cooking above the pool deck.
- 79 rooms
- Opened 1961
- Neighborhood: Midtown
- Architect: Cooper Carry
- Interiors: MUZA Lab
About Palm House
- The building dates to 1961 as the Heart of Palm Beach hotel, which closed in 2007 and sat empty for 17 years.
- Its previous owner, developer Robert V. Matthews, is serving a federal prison sentence for fraud and money laundering after diverting funds meant for the hotel's renovation.
- London's Iconic Luxury Hotels bought the derelict site for nearly $40 million in a 2019 bankruptcy sale and reopened it as Palm House in November 2024, the brand's first US property.
- The Dining Room restaurant blends Japanese and Peruvian cooking overlooking the pool deck, and the hotel earned a MICHELIN One Key in 2025.
History
The Palm House site dates to 1961, when the Heart of Palm Beach hotel opened on Royal Palm Way; the building was expanded in 1981. Developer Robert V. Matthews bought the property in 2006, closed it in 2007 to renovate, and never reopened it: he is now serving a federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to fraud and money laundering charges tied to investor funds earmarked for the project.
The site sat vacant for 17 years until London-based Iconic Luxury Hotels bought it for close to $40 million in a 2019 court-authorized bankruptcy sale. Architecture firm Cooper Carry and London-based interior designer Muza Lab led a top-to-bottom renovation, and Palm House opened as a 79-room boutique hotel over Thanksgiving weekend 2024, the first new hotel to open in Palm Beach in four years and the first US property under the Iconic Luxury Hotels brand.
The setting
2 miles from exhibits at the Norton Museum of Art. 1 mile from Whitehall mansion.
Restaurants and bars
- The Dining Room at Palm House — Restaurant
Experiences
- Pool, Beach & Leisure — Unwind by the pool or beach or take a leisurely bike ride along the scenic Lake Trail.
- A Taste of Summer — A three-course dinner experience featuring bold Japanese-Peruvian flavors, seasonal favorites, and summer evenings at The Dining Room.
- Weekend Brunch — Weekend brunch at The Dining Room.
- Spa & Wellness — Spa and wellness offering listed under things to do at the hotel.
Amenities
- Pool
- Fitness center
- Cinema
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Recommended (2026)
- MICHELIN One Key (2026)
Open Palm House in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
More Iconic Luxury Hotels hotels
- Cliveden House — Taplow, United Kingdom · Apex Luxury
- 11 Cadogan Gardens — London, United Kingdom · Core Luxury
- Chewton Glen — New Milton, United Kingdom · Core Luxury
- Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort — Lido di Venezia, Italy · Core Luxury
- The Chelsea Townhouse — London, United Kingdom · Core Luxury
- The Mayfair Townhouse — London, United Kingdom · Core Luxury
More hotels in Palm Beach
- The Colony Hotel — Independent · Core Luxury
- White Elephant Palm Beach — White Elephant · Core Luxury
- Amrit Ocean Resort & Spa — Independent · Accessible Luxury
- The Brazilian Court Hotel — Independent · Accessible Luxury
- Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach — Four Seasons · Grand Luxury
- The Breakers Palm Beach — Independent · Grand Luxury
Iconic Luxury Hotels in The Maison: the brand's idea, history and every house on the atlas.