The Brazilian Court Hotel Turns 100

In 1926, Palm Beach reigned supreme as the ultimate winter sanctuary for high society. Enter Rosario Candela, a legendary New York architect, famous for designing some of Manhattan’s most prestigious co-op apartments. Candela brought his signature discretion to Florida, blending Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean Revival styles to design the intimate Brazilian Court Hotel, now an iconic fixture in Palm Beach.

Fast forward to 2026. Though the world has changed, when you step through the threshold of The Brazilian Court Hotel, time seems to stand still. When I first pulled up to the hotel, the unassuming exterior offered no hint of the grandeur waiting inside. Before my stay, I must have driven past the property dozens of times, completely oblivious to the hidden paradise tucked behind the hedges, which is part of the hotel’s charm. 

“Unlike larger resorts, The Brazilian Court offers an intimate atmosphere with timeless elegance, privacy, and exceptional service,” says Bobby Schlesinger, owner of the Brazilian Court Hotel. “Our refined, highly personalized approach to luxury dates back to 1926, with our lush courtyards and historic architecture creating the backdrop for exactly what a Palm Beach vacation should be.”

I savored a weekend stay in one of the resort’s Wisteria One Bedroom Suites, which featured dark wood floors, plush emerald furniture, and stately marble bathrooms. The tucked-away, 80-room property is also home to Café Boulud, Chef Daniel Boulud’s award-winning restaurant that features both indoor and outdoor seating. There’s also a chic outdoor pool shaded by breezy palm trees. 

From its very inception, The Brazilian Court was designed to prioritize discretion. Candela, famously protective of his high-society clients, envisioned a lush, courtyard sanctuary where the ultra-wealthy could escape the public eye. 

The gamble paid off, and the Brazilian Court Hotel was a quiet sanctuary for high-profile guests like Audrey Hepburn, Frank Sinatra, and even JFK. For generations, this Spanish-Mediterranean landmark became the ultimate Palm Beach fortress. It was a place where old Hollywood and high society mingled under the shade of manicured palms. Today, the hotel is a draw for the modern, discerning traveler. 

“Our typical guest values privacy, personalized service, and an intimate residential atmosphere over a large resort setting,” Schlesinger explains. “Our guests are drawn to the hotel’s historic charm, spacious suites, and curated experiences.”

Remarkably, a hundred years later, that very same spirit of understated luxury remains. Today, under the stewardship of Schlesinger, The Brazilian Court continues to evolve, proving that a legacy status doesn’t mean standing still. 

“We always look for new ways to add to our suite of amenities,” Schlesinger says. “BC ONE, our exclusive 44-foot Italian-designed Solaris Power Yacht, offers complimentary two-hour cruises for hotel guests with onboard offerings by Café Boulud, which was a new addition lauded by our guests in 2024.”

This year, the Brazilian Court Hotel marks its 100th anniversary, celebrating a century of culture, society, and effortless style in Palm Beach.  To honor this monumental centennial, the hotel is rolling out a year-long calendar of curated activations that bridge its historic past with contemporary luxury. 

Centennials come and go, but few properties manage to survive a century while maintaining their original soul. The Brazilian Court Hotel has done just that. It remains what it has always been: a discreet, elegant haven where history is preserved, style is celebrated, and privacy is the ultimate luxury. 

“Palm Beach is ever evolving,” Schlesinger says, “but providing impeccable service and curating a product that is intentional and uncompromising is timeless, and we look forward to continuing that directive for the next century.” 

Photos: Brazilian Court Hotel