The Ben West Palm
Florida
A new wave of developments made West Palm Beach a top destination for young professionals and foodies to visit in 2020 . Recent beautification projects including the Clematis Streetscape and the reimagined Rosemary Square help cater to travelers seeking culture , events and a booming culinary scene . In addition to new food halls , breweries and restaurants , the new The Ben West Palm , part of the Marriott Autograph Collection , brought downtown ’ s first water-facing hotel . Among the area ’ s trending attractions , keep an eye on Kravis Center for the Performing Arts with a $ 50 million expansion underway that includes an outdoor urban plaza , a 6,000-foot expansion for the lobby and parking garage enhancements like a valet-only entrance .
Other under-the-radar areas include the upper and middle Keys , which — although generally overshadowed by their southernmost counterpart Key West — have recently experienced an influx in luxury hospitality development , along with an expanded and renovated private airport . Opened in April of 2019 on Knights Key in Marathon , Isla Bella Beach Resort aims to differentiate itself throughout the destination with top-end hospitality more synonymous with South Florida or the Caribbean .
Elsewhere in the Keys , Bungalows Key Largo is billed as the Keys ’ first and only all-inclusive resort . Located on the trending northernmost island just an hour south of Miami , the resort features 135 private bungalows across 12 acres , each with its own bougainvillea-laden veranda , oversize soaking tub and outdoor garden shower .
SPRING 2021 / THE COMPASS / 55