How to Find a Hotel in Palm Beach

Palm Beach, Florida, is a Mecca for the mega wealthy, where old money meets new money. Donald Trump, a prominent resident of Palm Beach, enjoys the beautiful weather when staying at his private club, Mar-a-Lago. The main town of Palm Beach, located across Florida's Intracoastal Waterway, has been the traditional winter home to such aristocratic families as the Kennedys and the Pulitzers. Here's some help to locating a good hotel when visiting Palm Beach.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Travel to Palm Beach

1. Fly into the Palm Beach International Airport.

2. Research rental car companies for the best rate. For last-minute reservations, look online at Internet sites like Travelocity or Priceline for better rental rates.

3. Hop on the local shuttle service that provides regular trips from the airport to all areas in Palm Beach, if you prefer not to drive.

Gear Up for the Weather

4. Saunter around Palm Beach, where temperatures average a splendid 78 degrees F.

5. Pack an umbrella: brief, afternoon rain showers are fairly common.

6. Pay attention to hurricane warnings, especially during hurricane season. The official season begins June 1 and runs through November 30.

Explore Palm Beach

7. Buy a copy of the Palm Beach Daily Newspaper when you arrive. Inside, you'll find a local calendar of events.

8. Grab a caddy if golf is what you are after. With more than 160 golf courses in Palm Beach, you'll be able to reserve a tee time and play a few rounds without much hassle. You can play 18 holes for as little as $22 at the Town of Palm Beach Golf Course.

9. Rub elbows with Palm Beach royalty while enjoying the Saturday afternoon polo matches at Palm Beach Polo Club. Though there is box seating for 3,000, general admission remains free. Tournament play is at its peak from January to May.

10. Watch your children enjoy the cool water while they run through the fountains at Centennial Square. Several fountains operating free of charge make this a sprinkler lover's dream.

Find a hotel in Palm Beach

11. To book a hotel room, contact Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau at [phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

12. Expect crowds during the high season, which starts around Thanksgiving and ends around Easter. If you travel during the off-season (May to October), you may be able to find hotels at half-price.

13. Plan ahead if you prefer B&Bs to high-rise resorts. Palm Beach, Florida, has only one well-known B&B, the 13-room Palm Beach Historic Inn.

14. Stay at the iconic Brazilian Court Hotel, a favorite Palm Beach society destination since it opened in 1936. Ultra luxe accommodations are available for around $200 a night. The Brazilian Court Orchestra offers its nostalgic sounds on Friday and Saturday nights.

Tips & Warnings

• Due to the high occurrence of Florida hurricanes, hurricane shelters are located throughout the Palm Beach area. If a request is made to evacuate, visitors should follow instructions given by authorities.

Resources

• To book accommodations, contact Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau