A Guide to Palm Beach

By:Beth Landman

Escape the bitter cold with a quick jaunt to the sunny haven of Palm Beach.  Easily accessible from NY, Jet Blue offers over 40 flights per day to West Palm area with some fares below $100, with plenty of compelling reasons to venture south.  Here are some suggestions of where to stay, dine and beautify:

Hotels:

Boca Raton Resort

Whether you choose to stay at the grand main property or the more intimate oceanfront side, you will have no shortage of activity at this sprawling Waldorf resort. Hit the golf course, tennis courts, fitness center complete with classes, or try surfing with the new Flowrider.  The spa, with private pool and cutting edge treatments like a microcurrent facial, is awe-inspiring.  There are myriad restaurants to choose from, including Lucca, the top-rated Tuscan cuisine, and theblue, offering views of the city. bocaresort.com

Delray Sands

The area's hippest new hotel has a vibrant scene and wonderful restaurant, Latitudes, which serves some of the freshest seafood around in a beautiful oceanfront setting.  On Sunday mornings, head to the beach for Zen yoga, then zip into nearby Delray for more upbeat action. delraysandsresort.com

Four Seasons

The elegance and sophistication of this oceanfront resort extends from its highly professional staff to a top rated spa and chic salon (the new oxygen facial will leave you glowing, and a massage from David Lepp, will make your stress a mere memory). The Italian restaurant Jové has a beautiful terrace where you can sample scallop tartar with caviar or smoked tuna served on bark from the hotel's own palms. fourseasons.com/palmbeach

Eau

A whimsical spa with swings, rubber ducks, scrub bar and colored lights is a focal point of this oceanfront resort.  Their lanai rooms that open onto the pool or beach. Choose from their three restaurants including the new Ocean Breeze, offering a range of casual fare, from tacos to grilled fish.

eaupalmbeach.com

Chesterfield

Upon arrival at this chic hotel with a decidedly European sensibility, guests are offered sherry before being escorted to recently updated ultra cushy rooms. The Flagler Suite has you feel like you've been whisked off to Paris, and the hotel's Leopard Lounge is legendary.  chesterfieldpb.com

The Colony

This jewel box of a hotel has the perfect location- a block from the beach and up the street from Worth Avenue.  The pool is a tranquil landscaped oasis, and you can spend a wonderful evening dining at the Polo Lounge (don't miss the black grouper or New York strip).  Then head to the Royal Room for entertainment like Steve Tyrell without ever leaving the property. thecolonypalmbeach.com

Dining:

Café Boulud

Daniel Boulud's recently updated Palm Beach outpost has a magical dining garden and dishes emphasizing artfully prepared local ingredients, such as kale with spice roasted carrots and cumin vinaigrette, and vadouvan-spiced mahi with sweet potato and mint. Cafeboulud.com/palmbeach

Kitchen

Rudy Giuiliani and other high-profile New Yorkers have discovered Matthew Byrne's adventurous boite in West Palm Beach that has impressive art and features creative fare like chicken schnitzel with radish, sweet onion, mushroom, arugula and fried egg.  kitchenpb.com

Grato

Buccan chef Clay Conley's third and largest restaurant is in West Palm.  Pastas and pizzas are outstanding, and don't miss the daily fish or parmesan-dusted cauliflower, both baked in the wood-fired oven. gratowpb.com

Bice

The classic Italian gathering spot, with one of the prettiest outdoor patios around, went through a major redesign this year.  The room is updated, but the food remains authentic Italian. bice-palmbeach.com 

50 Ocean

The second floor perch offers a bird's-eye view of the ocean, and the freshest local fish, as well as new "stay dry'' selections including buffalo rib-eye and grilled heritage black pig.  50ocean.com

Beauty:

Oasis. salonoasisofboca.com.

In addition to color, cut, manicures and pedicures, the top beauty salon in Boca Raton has added a make-up department, with artists who can turn up your glamour before a big night.

Transportation:

Hamptons and NY favorite Main Street Drivers has expanded to south Florida this year.

mainstreetdrivers.com