You’ve probably seen the photos of the rooftop pool. It looks like a Slim Aarons fever dream, all turquoise water and crisp white umbrellas overlooking the yachts in the Palm Beach marina. But honestly? Plenty of Florida hotels have a nice pool. What’s actually interesting about The Ben Hotel West Palm Beach isn’t just the view—it’s the weird, literary soul behind the place.
Most people just book a room because it’s part of the Marriott Autograph Collection and they want their points. Fine. But if you walk in expecting a generic corporate lobby, you’re going to be confused by the book-lined walls and the pervasive sense that a ghost from the 1920s might be sitting in the corner with a gin fizz.
It’s inspired by Byrd Spilman Dewey.
She was a pioneer, a best-selling author, and the kind of woman who ran a sprawling estate called Ben Trovato back when South Florida was mostly just mosquitoes and sawgrass. The hotel takes its name from that estate, which itself came from a Latin phrase basically meaning "well-found." It’s a bit pretentious, sure. But in a city like West Palm Beach, which is constantly trying to reinvent itself, having an actual story to tell matters.
The hotel sits right on the corner of Lakeview and Narcissus. It’s the anchor of the Flagler Banyan Square development. If you’re coming from the Brightline station, it’s a quick five-minute Uber, or a slightly sweaty ten-minute walk if you’re brave enough to face the Florida humidity.
The Room Situation: Is a Balcony Mandatory?
Short answer? Yes.
If you book a "City View" room at The Ben Hotel West Palm Beach, you’re mostly looking at the surrounding office buildings and the courthouse. It’s fine, but you’re missing the point of being on the water. The "Waterfront" rooms face the Intracoastal Waterway and the island of Palm Beach. You can watch the drawbridge go up and down. You can see the mega-yachts that cost more than your entire neighborhood.
The interior design is... moody. It’s not the bright, tropical "Floridian" vibe you find at the Breakers across the bridge. It’s darker. Think brass accents, rich leathers, and sliding barn doors that separate the bathroom. Some people hate the barn doors because they don't offer much privacy. If you’re traveling with someone you aren’t that close to, it might be awkward. Just a heads up.
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There’s a literal desk in the room that looks like a vintage writing bureau. They want you to feel like a writer. They even leave a little book of Byrd Spilman Dewey’s work by the bed. Whether you actually read it or just use it as a coaster for your $18 cocktail is up to you.
Spruzzo and the Rooftop Monopoly
This is where the hotel wins. Spruzzo is the rooftop bar and restaurant, and for a long time, it was basically the only game in town for a high-end rooftop experience in West Palm.
It gets packed. On a Saturday night, it’s a sea of linen shirts and designer handbags. If you aren't staying at the hotel, getting a table is a nightmare. But as a guest, you have a bit more leverage. The food is Mediterranean-ish—raw bar, flatbreads, grilled octopus. It’s good, but you’re paying for the atmosphere. You’re paying for the fact that you can see the Atlantic Ocean shimmering in the distance while the DJ plays deep house.
The pool is right there too. It’s a heated saltwater pool. It’s smaller than it looks in the professional marketing photos, but the cabanas are legit. They have fans and TVs, which sounds redundant until it’s 95 degrees and you’re melting.
Pro Tip for the Rooftop
Go at 10:00 AM on a Tuesday. It’s empty. It’s silent. You can actually hear the water. The service is faster, and you don’t have to fight a group of twenty-somethings for a spot near the edge.
Eating at Proper Grit
Downstairs is Proper Grit, their main restaurant. It’s a "Florida Chophouse."
What does that even mean?
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Basically, it’s a steakhouse that isn't afraid of seafood. The decor is stunning—lots of wood and clever lighting. The breakfast is actually the sleeper hit here. Most hotel breakfasts are depressing buffets with rubbery eggs. Here, they do a Short Rib Benedict that is genuinely heavy enough to make you want to go back to sleep immediately.
One thing to note: West Palm Beach has a massive food scene right now. You’ve got The Square (formerly CityPlace) just a few blocks away with spots like Adrienne’s Pizzabar and El Camino. You have Clematis Street with its bars and dives. You don’t have to eat at the hotel, but for a nightcap, the lobby bar is actually quite cozy. It feels like a library where someone happens to be shaking martinis.
The Location Logistics Nobody Tells You
Location is everything, but it's also about what's not there.
The Ben Hotel West Palm Beach is not on the beach. This confuses people. You are on the "West" side of the bridge. To get to the actual sand, you have to cross the Middle Bridge into the town of Palm Beach. You can bike it—the hotel has complimentary bikes—or you can drive. It’s about a two-mile trek to the public beach access near Worth Avenue.
Speaking of Worth Avenue, that's your destination for high-end shopping. If you want to see where the 0.1% spend their Tuesday afternoons, that's the spot. But if you want a more "local" vibe, head south to Antique Row on Dixie Highway.
The hotel is also right next to the Meyer Amphitheater. This is a double-edged sword. If there’s a festival or a concert, you have a front-row seat from the rooftop. If you’re trying to go to bed at 9:00 PM and there’s a loud tribute band playing 80s rock, you’re going to hear it. Check the local event calendar before you book.
Is it Worth the Price?
Rates at The Ben fluctuate wildly. In the "season" (January through April), you might pay $600 to $900 a night. In the dead of August, when the air is like hot soup, you can snag a room for under $300.
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Is it worth $800? That’s a tough sell. At that price point, you’re competing with some of the most legendary resorts in the world. But at $400? Absolutely. It’s the best "lifestyle" hotel in West Palm. It’s cooler than the Hilton and more modern than the Hyatt Place.
The staff generally gets high marks, but like everywhere in Florida post-2020, service can be hit or miss when they are at 100% capacity. They have a "Book Butler" program where they’ll deliver a curated book to your room. It’s a gimmick, sure, but it’s a charming one.
Why People Keep Coming Back
- The Views: Nothing beats the sunset from Spruzzo.
- The Aesthetic: It’s "Instagrammable" without being tacky.
- The Walkability: Being able to walk to Clematis Street or the Waterfront Commons is a huge plus.
- The Pet Policy: They are surprisingly dog-friendly. You’ll see plenty of Frenchies in the lobby.
How to Do The Ben Right
If you’re going to stay here, don’t just use it as a bed. It’s a social hub.
Start your morning with a coffee and a walk along the Flagler Drive waterfront path. It runs for miles right in front of the hotel. It’s where all the locals jog and walk their dogs. Then, grab a bike from the front desk and head over the bridge to Palm Beach. Ride the Lake Trail—it’s a paved path that runs behind the massive estates on the island. You’ll see the backyards of people who own private jets. It’s fascinating and slightly depressing at the same time.
Come back, hit the rooftop for a late lunch, and spend the afternoon by the pool. For dinner, head out into West Palm. Check out Hullabaloo on Clematis for great cocktails and a literal Airstream trailer in the back, or Sassafras for Southern food that actually tastes like someone’s grandmother made it.
Final Realities
Let’s be real for a second. The Ben Hotel West Palm Beach is a Marriott property. It’s part of a massive machine. While it feels "boutique," you are still dealing with a large operation. Occasionally, the elevators are slow. Sometimes the rooftop crowd gets a bit "look at me."
But in a town that used to be a bit sleepy after dark, The Ben brought a certain energy back to the waterfront. It’s polished, it’s historical (in a curated way), and it’s undeniably the place to be if you want to feel like you’re at the center of the action.
If you want a quiet, secluded retreat where you never see another soul, go to a resort on Singer Island. If you want to be in the middle of the noise, the yachts, and the cocktails, this is it.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the Meyer Amphitheater schedule before booking to ensure your stay doesn't coincide with a loud event—unless you want to hear the music.
- Request a room on a higher floor to minimize street noise from the busy intersection below.
- Join Marriott Bonvoy before booking. Even the lowest tier can sometimes score you a better view or a slightly later checkout, which is clutch when you’ve had one too many drinks at Spruzzo.
- Don't valet if you don't have to. There are public garages nearby that are significantly cheaper, though less convenient if you have a lot of luggage.
- Walk the Lake Trail on Palm Beach. It's the best free activity in the area and offers a perspective on the "other side" you won't get from the hotel window.