The Colony’s history and its mascot Johnnie Brown (JB)
The Colony Hotel Palm Beach opened in 1947 and has been a family-owned Palm Beach landmark since. Its unofficial mascot is a spider monkey named Johnnie Brown ("JB"), a playful reference to the historic pet of architect Addison Mizner.
In this guide
A brief history of The Colony Hotel Palm Beach
The Colony Hotel opened in 1947 (originally known as The Golf View) at 155 Hammon Avenue in Palm Beach. Over the decades the property has been modernized while retaining a sense of its mid‑20th‑century hotel identity.
The hotel has been in the Wetenhall family’s ownership since 1970 in varying forms; Andrew and Sarah Wetenhall acquired the property in 2016 and have overseen recent renovations, including a refreshed lobby and new suites completed in 2022.
- Opened: 1947 (as The Golf View)
- Address: 155 Hammon Avenue, Palm Beach, FL 33480
- Recent renovation: lobby and suites refreshed in 2022
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opening year | 1947 |
| Ownership | Part of the Wetenhall family holdings since 1970; Andrew & Sarah Wetenhall owners since 2016 |
| Rooms & suites | 89 rooms and 16 suites (property total reported in hotel materials) |
Johnnie Brown ("JB") — the hotel mascot
The Colony’s mascot is a spider monkey known as Johnnie Brown, frequently abbreviated to "JB." The choice of a spider monkey nods to a historical pet belonging to noted Palm Beach architect Addison Mizner.
JB appears in the hotel’s decorative touches and storytelling around the property; the monkey motif is part of the hotel’s tropical, whimsical visual theme rather than a live-animal feature for guests.
- Mascot: spider monkey named Johnnie Brown ("JB")
- Reference: homage to Addison Mizner’s pet
- Appears in hotel murals and decorative elements
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| JB references | Decorative murals and property artwork |
| Live animal | No indication the hotel houses a live mascot for guests |
| Purpose | Branding and historical reference |
Rooms and suites — what to pick
The Colony offers three room types listed by the hotel: Junior Suite, Premium Room, and Standard Room. Room configurations include king beds in some categories and double/queen options in others.
If you want more living space, choose the Junior Suite; the Premium Room and Standard Room offer combinations that work for couples or small families. Complimentary Wi‑Fi is provided throughout the property.
- Junior Suite — beds: 1 King Bed
- Premium Room — beds: 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds
- Standard Room — beds: 2 Double Beds or 1 Queen Bed
- Total reported rooms and suites: 89 rooms and 16 suites
| Room type | Bed options |
|---|---|
| Junior Suite | 1 King Bed |
| Premium Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds |
| Standard Room | 2 Double Beds or 1 Queen Bed |
Dining, bars, and regular entertainment
On-site dining includes Swifty's (signature restaurant serving Contemporary American cuisine) and Pink Paradise Café (espresso, pastries, salads, sandwiches, soups). The Living Room serves cocktails and lighter fare.
Swifty's has set hours for breakfast, lunch/brunch and dinner; Pink Paradise Café is open early (7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) for espresso and casual breakfast/lunch. The hotel also programs recurring entertainment such as weekly bingo, trivia nights and live music.
- Swifty's — breakfast, lunch/brunch, dinner (reservations recommended)
- Pink Paradise Café — 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., walk-ins welcome
- The Living Room — cocktails and light bites; live music and evening atmosphere
- Poolside bar service is available near the main pool
| Venue | Notes |
|---|---|
| Swifty's | Signature American restaurant; reservations recommended |
| Pink Paradise Café | Espresso, pastries, grab-and-go breakfast & lunch |
| The Living Room | Cocktails, coffee, and evening live music |
Pools, beach service and wellness
The Colony features multiple outdoor pools: the main guest pool (noted for its Florida-shaped design) plus separate pools reserved for villas and bungalows. Poolside food and drinks can be ordered from an adjacent pool bar.
Beach access is provided with a free beach shuttle and Beach Butler service that sets up chairs, towels and umbrellas and delivers food and drinks. The hotel partners with Naturopathica to operate an onsite Spa Suite offering massages, facials and other holistic treatments.
- Three pools reported: main guest pool, villa pool, bungalow pool (access depends on accommodation)
- Beach Butler service: chairs, towels, umbrellas, and food/drink delivery
- Free beach shuttle for hotel guests
- Naturopathica Spa & Healing Center — open daily 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; reservations recommended
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Poolside bar | Food and drink service available at main pool area |
| Beach service | Free shuttle plus Beach Butler sets up beach gear |
| Spa | Naturopathica partnership; Spa Suite on property (book ahead) |
Events, meetings and wedding spaces
The Colony provides several event spaces sized for weddings, meetings and private functions: the Coral Ballroom, Solarium, Lawn, and smaller rooms such as the Florida Room and East Garden. The Coral Ballroom measures about 2,800 square feet and can host up to 250 guests in some configurations.
Ceremony locations can include the Palm Court, Lawn or the Coral Ballroom; the hotel supports full buy-outs and a range of ceremony and reception options. Event capacities and configurations are handled by the hotel’s events team.
- Coral Ballroom: ~2,800 sq ft, up to 250 guests
- Solarium: sunlit intimate space, up to 40 guests
- Lawn: outdoor poolside ceremonies/receptions, up to ~150 guests
- Florida Room & East Garden: smaller private dining or meeting options
| Venue | Capacity (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Coral Ballroom | Up to 250 guests |
| Solarium | Up to 40 guests |
| Lawn | Around 150 guests for receptions |
Location and practical travel tips
The Colony sits at the apex of Worth Avenue, steps from shopping and a short walk to the Atlantic beaches. Nearby points of interest include Worth Avenue, the Worth Avenue Clock Tower and Mid‑Town/Municipal beaches; Palm Beach’s cultural sites such as the Flagler Museum and the Society of the Four Arts are a short drive away.
The nearest commercial airport is Palm Beach International Airport (PBI); Brightline and Tri‑Rail stations are in West Palm Beach if you prefer rail. The hotel provides complimentary bicycles for short local rides and offers valet parking and overnight parking for a fee.
- Address: 155 Hammon Avenue, Palm Beach, FL 33480
- Worth Avenue: about a 1‑minute walk
- Mid‑Town/Municipal beaches: within a short walk
- Nearest airport: Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
| Spot | Approximate distance from hotel |
|---|---|
| Worth Avenue | About 1 minute on foot |
| Mid‑Town / Municipal Beach | A short walk (minutes) |
| Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) | Nearest commercial airport (West Palm Beach area) |
