“Palm Royale,” the Apple TV+ original series set on the tony island of Palm Beach, is having a grand summer. In June, the streaming service announced that the show, which debuted in March, had been renewed for a second season. And it’s certainly good news for fans who are anxious to find out what’s next for their favorite characters such as Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons (Kristen Wiig), Robert Diaz (Ricky Martin) and Norma Dellacorte (Carol Burnett) after the season finale’s Beach Ball cliffhanger.
Then in July, “Palm Royale” was nominated for 11 Emmy Awards, with categories including, most notably, Outstanding Comedy Series, along with Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Wiig) and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Burnett). What you need to know to watch If you haven’t checked out the show just yet, there’s plenty of time to binge-watch this summer before the winners are announced during the 76th Emmy Awards airing at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 15, on ABC. Fair warning: You may get ideas about living the good life like the ladies of the Palm Royale country club, a mashup of iconic Palm Beach hotels and historic social clubs such as The Breakers, The Colony, The Everglades Club and Bath & Tennis Club.
(The series was actually filmed in Los Angeles.) But let’s face it, climbing the social ladder in Palm Beach can feel out of reach. Most of us don’t have a closet chock-full of straight-off-the runway dresses or Tom Ford tuxedos for gala season, or cars that cost more than the average home to hand off to the valet.
We can’t write a six-figure check to the charity of the moment, or afford a membership to any exclusive club. But we can pretend, right? We’ve got Palm Beach right here, so there are ways to live the “Palm Royale” life for a day. Luxury lifestyle influencer Kristen Alyce is creator of @ThePalmBeachLife , a social media account and website that develops original content highlighting the town from every fabulous angle.
Based on her years of experience attending events and charity galas, networking and exploring all that Palm Beach has to offer, she said it’s possible to fit in by following a few tips. “Being a newcomer on Palm Beach Island may be difficult at first, as with any new community. However, with its welcoming atmosphere and vibrant social scene, getting into the island’s culture can be a great experience,” she said.
“Engaging in local events, joining clubs or organizations, and participating in community activities are great ways to meet people and establish quick relationships.” She suggests dressing “comfortably yet well put-together, embracing the island’s laid-back atmosphere while exuding refinement and style,” and spending the day driving around, especially down Southeast Ocean Boulevard to see multimillion-dollar homes. “You can get an even better experience by riding a bicycle around the island if you have the time,” she said.
“It’s slower and you can soak in more of the island.” Mix and mingle the ‘Palm Royale’ way Here are five spots where anyone can soak up the Palm Beach vibe. (And don’t forget to be on the lookout for celebrities who call the island home or are having a posh getaway.
) Worth Avenue Internationally known for its upscale shopping and dining options, Worth Avenue is the heart of Palm Beach. It stretches three blocks from the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway, with high-end shops from the biggest names in fashion, including Gucci, Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Carolina Herrera, Ferragamo, David Yurman, Versace and Tiffany & Co., among others.
Stop into Lilly Pulitzer for the quintessential Palm Beach fashion experience that honors the brand’s beginnings as a juice stand and store on the island in the 1960s. Venture into the vias — the avenue’s signature hidden passageways — to find small shops, cafes and restaurants. Join the ranks of the many models who have posed for magazine shoots by taking photos under the Clock Tower at the eastern end of the avenue.
“Walking around solo on Worth Avenue or through the neighborhood always offers something new,” said Palm Beach resident Ashley Lauren Smith, who chronicles her fashion and style adventures on her @PalmBeachFancy Instagram account. (She’s so devoted to the lifestyle, and to the show, that she’s hosting a “Palm Royale” finale watch party from 6 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, May 8, at Studio 1608, 1608 S. Dixie Highway, in West Palm Beach. More details at eventbrite.
com .) From November through April, book a spot on one of the popular tours of Worth Avenue with Rick Rose , a Palm Beach historian, lecturer and author of “Palm Beach: The Essential Guide to America’s Legendary Resort Town.” Visit worth-avenue.
com . Mid-Town Municipal Beach What’s a day in Palm Beach without going to the beach? Where the Clock Tower meets Worth Avenue, you’ll find one of the town’s two municipal beaches. Plant your beach chair for the day, lay out a towel, throw on a big, floppy hat and take a dip in the ocean’s blue waters.
It’ll only cost you the price of parking — and lots of sunscreen! “It’s very special to have a public municipal beach in such a luxurious resort area,” said Camilla Webster, an artist and author who moved to Palm Beach in 2017. “Everyone should experience that. The surf, swim and beach crowd are a wonderful mix.
” Visit townofpalmbeach.com. Hotels Whether you stay for the night or just stop by to visit, two historic Palm Beach hotels should be on your must-see list: Restaurants All of that shopping and sightseeing can work up an appetite.
Hungry (and thirsty) visitors can check out the island’s culinary staples such as Buccan, 350 S. County Road, with its inventive American cuisine, or Café L’Europe, 331 S. County Road, featuring elevated continental dishes.
Webster said she often opts for a romantic Italian dinner for two at Renato’s, 87 Via Mizner, or heads to The Breakers’ Echo , 230A Sunrise Ave., for sushi at the bar on a Friday night. Alyce also picked a spot at The Breakers.
“If you want to have a glamorous dinner while watching the turquoise waters of the Atlantic, I always choose the Seafood Bar inside The Breakers hotel,” Alyce said. “The bar is an actual fish tank (which also makes it a hot spot for solo cocktails) and the restaurant has amazing food.” Smith said she likes to grab a pizza from Amici Market , 155 N.
County Road, and head to the beach. She often starts her day with breakfast at Green’s Pharmacy Luncheonette , 151 N. County Road.
“And I love to unwind at Honor Bar (340 Royal Poinciana Way). The dark atmosphere and deep wood tones remind me of home in New York City,” she said. “You can never go wrong there.
” Other landmarks.
