|
If you're wondering where to put guests up if you don't want them at your home (or you're having a party or celebration and there are too many to stay there), consider the Bradley House or the trendy Biba, in Palm Beach and West Palm respectively.
These two hotels come up frequently in Expedia or Orbitz travel search engines for Palm Beach Hotels in the hundred dollar range (the Bradley House is a bit more) although people who have stayed there told me that they think the Bradley House offered a lot more for its money. As an added benefit, the beautiful new Chinese restaurant, Coco's is next to this hotel building.
The Bradley is on a beautiful street (Sunset) a block from the water and pretty near Worth Avenue (you wouldn't want to walk there), in back of Chuck and Harold's. It's so quiet you think no one else is in there, unlike the Biba, which was very noisy, especially during the night when the trucks rolled on the street (on Okeechobee & Dixie) in front of the hotel and the planes roared above. (It's just a few minutes from the airport.)
I was told that the rooms inside the U-section of the Biba are quieter, insofar as they don't get street traffic, but there's a lively colorful bar in that area late at night so it can be noisy. Making up for it is a bit of quiet in the morning: they do have a magnificent peaceful garden with stone tables where you can have your breakfast. They also have a beautiful swimming pool, which the Bradley doesn't offer.
The rooms at the Bradley, though, are prettier to look at and better lit, which is great for nighttime readers. The Bradley had a large TV in the room while you can get neck strain trying to look up at the Biba's TV. The Biba also had a cloth dresser inside a closet which gives it a very makeshift (OK: cheap) while the Bradley has substantial -- some of it attractive -- furniture, and a kitchen and microwave. And the Publix right across the street makes this kitchen quite practical.
A few other points:
The bathrooms in neither place are impressive, and there's a laundry room at the Bradley because it's more of a residential hotel.
The rooms at the Biba ware more colorful and the atmosphere livelier and younger there.
The front desk people at the Biba seem more experienced.
The Biba Hotel looks like a high-class motel, although the landscaping is beautiful.
Both places served a continental breakfast but the choice is fresher and better at the Biba.
BIBA HOTEL
BRADLEY HOUSE HOTEL
Return to Florida | Return to Home Page |