Aerin Lauder, the granddaughter of legendary beauty entrepreneur Estée Lauder, launched her eponymous luxury lifestyle and beauty brand, AERIN, in 2012. An haute one-stop shop for accessories, home furnishings, and beauty, the NYC-based brand has gone from strength to strength since its inception.
Despite being a New Yorker at heart – and with homes in East Hampton and Aspen – Palm Beach remains dear to Aerin. For the cosmetics scion, the 16-mile long island is inextricably linked with memories of her grandmother. A luxury hideaway, synonymous with old-world glamour – we imagine regular getaways to Palm Beach as a child were akin to living in a Slim Aarons photograph.
Today, colourful Pucci sheath dresses are still donned for dinner and preppy tendencies are par for the course when it comes to interiors – you need only look to The Colony Palm Beach (one of Aerin’s favourite hotels in the locale) for confirmation.
From the best beaches to the must-visit spots along Worth Avenue’s sumptuous palm-lined shopping district, Aerin takes us through her Palm Beach…
Essential items to pack for a trip to Palm Beach…
Palm Beach style is very feminine, elegant, and colourful, with an ease to it. I love to wear a long Pucci dress with casual, festive earrings, and a little straw clutch. I think Palm Beach is somewhere that you can really have fun with clothing and accessories. It’s the tropics and you’re on holiday!
The best time to visit Palm Beach is…
I love spending time in Palm Beach during the winter, when it is especially cold in New York. It’s my favourite escape to sunshine and palm trees when the city is cold and grey. We also typically go to Palm Beach as a family during Christmas time when my boys are home from school.
© Elizabeth Kuhner Archives, Kate Kuhner Photography
Our first pitstop should be…
My family is always most excited to get to the beach. There is nothing that I love more than sunshine, the ocean, and even watching my boys surf. I feel a sudden sense of ease as soon as I step onto the sand, which is why the beach is always my first recommendation. There is no better feeling than knowing that vacation has officially begun, especially in such a beautiful place.
Your favourite hotel to check-in at is…
The Colony Palm Beach is truly quintessential Palm Beach. It’s iconic to the area with a pink exterior and colourful décor throughout. We recently partnered with the hotel to redesign their well-known Villa Jasmine. It was such a fun project to work on and I was so excited with how it turned out. I honestly wish that I could check-in for an extended stay. The hotel is also right off of Worth Avenue and just down the block from the beach, so to me it is the perfect location.
For an early morning workout head to…
I always like to walk on the bike path or the beach along the ocean. It’s the most relaxing way to start my day.
Where should we go for breakfast?
Sant Ambroeus is relatively new in the area and the best spot for coffee and breakfast. You can sit outside, enjoy your morning and even do a little people watching.
Courtesy of The Colony Hotel
How about for a long, lazy lunch?
Swifty’s at The Colony Hotel. It’s my go-to spot for classic, delicious food. I could spend hours sitting outside by the hotel’s pool with great food and drinks, and even better company.
A must-try spot for date night?
It’s on the more casual side, but I love Pizza Al Fresco. It’s right on Worth Avenue and has delicious pizza and salad. You can sit outside in Mizner Garden under twinkling lights. What’s better than cosy, comfort food in a setting that is perfectly Palm Beach?
Your favourite restaurant in town?
Budget: Green’s Pharmacy. It has been around forever and has the best fountain soda, vanilla milkshakes, and grilled cheeses.
Blow Out: Renato’s is another Palm Beach classic for my favourite Italian food. They have an elegant, old-world patio that is always filled with the most stylish people.
Where should we head post-dinner?
For ice cream, of course! I have been going to Sprinkles Ice Cream since I was a child, and it always makes me feel like I’m on vacation. It’s an institution to me and has the absolute best homemade ice cream.
The drink to order at the bar…
There’s a place called Taboo that has been around for many, many years on Worth Avenue. That’s always a fun place to go for a drink. They have tons of wonderful martinis to choose from.
The best place for people watching…
Worth Avenue has the best people watching. You get the perfect combination of locals and tourists. You can see all kinds of people walking into the shops, some who are discovering the beauty and the magic of Palm Beach for the first time.
The culture spot to rave about…
The Society of the Four Arts. It has the most beautiful garden and they always rotate exhibitions.
The best place to treat yourself is…
The Breakers Hotel recently redid their spa and it’s incredible. It’s the perfect place to treat yourself and relax.
Photography by Mark Lund
For great shopping head to…
Worth Avenue is my favourite place to shop. They have the best mix of old and new. For example, Kassatly’s is Worth Avenue’s oldest shop and is truly a Palm Beach classic. However, the AERIN store is not too far down the road, which we only opened a couple of a years ago. That’s one of the many things I love most about Palm Beach; there is so much to discover but the surprise and delight of it all spans generations and is truly timeless.
The one place only locals know about…
The beauty of Palm Beach is that it’s all so charming and inviting. No matter where you go, you always feel like a local, whether you’re walking into the oldest shop on Worth Avenue or the newest restaurant in town.
For the best views head to…
The bike path has the best views. It’s lined by some beautiful old homes and is an ideal spot to see the sunset.
For a change of pace try…
Renting a boat for a day on the water.
Great day trips include…
Maybe not necessarily a trip, but I often go vintage shopping in West Palm Beach. South Dixie Highway is right over the bridge and has so many vintage shops; two of my favourites are Palm Beach Vintage and Circa Who. Palm Beach is also only a couple of hours from Miami, which is an easy day trip. I love the culture and the vibrancy that Miami has to offer. I am always excited to stay at The Four Seasons Surfside as a relaxing getaway when I’m in Florida. The hotel is beautiful and has two delicious restaurants. Inspired by the Mediterranean, being there feels as if you have actually travelled much further.
A book to read before we go (or while we’re there)?
I recently partnered with Assouline to create Palm Beach, which explores the history, elegance and glamour of Palm Beach. In the book, I also share some of my favourite memories and how Palm Beach has changed through the years. The book is extremely visual, so it’s the best way to get a little taste of this magical place before you arrive.
Photography by Mark Lund
How should we spend the final day of our trip?
Definitely outdoors. Whether you’re relaxing by the beach, playing golf or tennis, walking along the water or enjoying a meal outside, embrace the beauty that you are surrounded by one last time before leaving.
What’s your Palm Beach secret?
The history, the memories, the elegance and most of all, the beauty. Even on a rainy day, you can still look out at the ocean, the beach, and all of the beautiful homes.
In a word, Palm Beach is…
Family.
Any Questions or Tips to add?