The Pink Retreat | Palm Beach

Hi, Lovelies!

Imagine a sea of brightly colored, patterned dresses worn by beautiful (inside and out) women, followed by the sounds of laughter echoing everywhere you turn. This past weekend I took part in The Pink Retreat with 300 other amazing women. We flooded Palm Beach with our bright Lilly Pulitzer printed dresses and had the most colorful and inspiring weekend.

What is The Pink Retreat?

The Pink Retreat, created by Tosha Davis Williams, is a weekend getaway to Palm Beach for Lilly Pulitzer lovers of all ages. It is a colorful weekend and the perfect way to connect with other Lilly fans who will feel like family before the time the retreat is over. From shopping at several beloved Lilly Pulitzer stores to meeting and watching Lilly Pulitzer artists, tours of Palm Beach with the fabulous Rick Rose, cocktail hours and mixers for all the attendees, to yoga in colorful Lilly Pulitzer athletic wear, this weekend is simply one of a kind.

Where Should I Stay?

• The Colony Hotel – This year a great deal of the events were held at this hotel. From yoga to the first cocktail hour, to the good-bye breakfast this was a central part of the retreat. The Colony Hotel is any Lilly lover’s dream from the palm printed floors and pastel-colored walls to the complimentary beach cruisers and pink/palm printed golf cart that will take you around town, this is a great place to stay. The Colony is also very close to Worth Avenue making shopping and dining around town a breeze.
• The Brazilian Court Hotel and Beach Club– a grand historic hotel with great dining options, a beautiful pool, spacious rooms, and even bike rentals.

The Brazilian and The Colony were probably the two most popular options for the retreat given the pricing and special offers for Pink Retreat attendees.

• The Breakers Palm Beach– If you are looking for a resort that has it all, this is your spot. I could spend months here without ever leaving. From fabulous shopping, dining at any of their amazing restaurants, lounging at one of their many pools, to enjoying time on the beach with a pineapple drink in hand, this place is fabulous. If you are looking to attend the retreat more casually while enjoying a vacation/relaxed setting, this is your spot.
• The Chesterfield Palm Beach- Yet another gorgeous option in Palm Beach from stunning decor and design to a first class service, you cannot go wrong when booking your stay here.
• Hyatt Place in West Palm Beach– several ladies opted to save on hotel fees (and spend more on Lilly) and stayed over in West Palm Beach. If you are a great planner, then this might be a great money saving option for you given that it is about $100 a night cheaper than the other options. However, for me, I found that being centrally located to all the events was worth the extra money and saved in Uber/Lyft fees..

Also Note: If you book any of the hotels found on The Pink Retreat’s website, the hotel will waive any hotel fees and your valet/parking fees which is AMAZING.

The Pink Retreat Events:

• Registration and Swag Bag Pick-up at Worth Avenue Store– Pick-up your name tag that will allow you access to the events and quite possibly the most amazing swag bag ever created filled with Lilly Pulitzer accessories and even a special Pink Retreat charm necklace.
• Shopping at Worth Avenue Store– This is the only Lilly Pulitzer store where you can create your own custom shift dress!
• Worth Avenue Tour– with the author, Rick Rose- Dressed in his Lilly best, take a tour with the author of the Palm Beach Guide and learn more about the area!
• Welcome Happy Hour– hosted at The Colony hotel, share some appetizers and drinks by the pool with all your friends, you might even get the chance to meet Lilly Pulitzer’s CEO, Michelle Kelly
• Sunrise Yoga– wear you best Lilly luxletic gear and hit the mat for a morning sweat session. Afterwards, enjoy complimentary mimosas!
• Uptown Art Painting / Paint Night– Learn to paint like the Lilly Pulitzer artists!
• Shopping at Palm Beach Gardens Store– This is one of the BEST and biggest Lilly Pulitzer stores, that also has a great sale rack!
• Girl’s Night Out at City Center– Pick your end destination or hop around the different restaurants/bars with your new besties!
• Print Inspiration Tour– See how Lilly Pulitzer artists find inspiration for some of your favorite prints!
• Farewell Breakfast at The Colony– Say goodbye to new friendships and enjoy a yummy complimentary breakfast.

One of the sweetest ladies I met on the retreat, Carrie Kelly! We were always twinning on accident!

We got to meet Lilly Pulitzer’s CEO, Michelle Kelly!

The Swag:

We received not one but TWO amazing swag bags during The Pink Retreat weekend. You pick-up the first during check-in. This year the first bag included a special Lilly Pulitzer The Pink Retreat charm necklace, an amazing printed scarf/wrap from Lilly Pulitzer, pineapple earrings from Prep Obsessed, all kinds of discounts, an adorable flamingo wine charm from Carrie Kelly of Initial Outfitters among many other cute trinkets.

The last night of the retreat, we received adorable bags from Prep Obsessed that included a printed Tervis tumbler, adorable drink stud earrings, chapstick, a $50 gift card for Tracy Negoshian, AND a bug bite “thing” (which is essential for summer in Florida).

These were by far the best swag bags I have ever received at an event and given that you only pay $100 to attend the retreat, these are incredibly exceptional.

Palm Beach Dining:

As a girl from Pittsburgh, I relied heavily on my Florida friends and Palm Beach locals I met for great dinner recommendations. Here is where we dined when we were in Palm Beach:

• The Seafood Bar at The Breakers– Head over early for a cocktail and sit at the aquarium bar and sip while you watch the marine life swim along the bar. They have everything from small plates and appetizers to a nice looking steak. When I was there, I had the Seafood Club and it was nothing short of delicious. Fresh fish is something we don’t get too often in Pittsburgh and this restaurant was certainly a treat.
• Pizza al Fresco– A hidden gem! Sit outside and enjoy the ambiance of their courtyard with string lights wrapped around their trees or sit inside and enjoy a family-style meal. The best deal on the menu allows you to pick an appetizer/salad, an entree, and a dessert for only $30! My mom and I split that deal and had the best salad, PIZZA (they have amazing gluten-free crusts), and a chocolate mousse. If you are looking for a great meal that won’t break the bank, this is your place.

My Favorite Parts of The Pink Retreat:

As a blogger, I spend a lot of time connecting with others on social media. My favorite part of the retreat was meeting so many of the bloggers and Lilly lovers that I have been following (and feel like I am virtual friends with) IN REAL LIFE. If you are planning on going to The Pink Retreat alone or are nervous to put yourself out there, my biggest advice is to let go of those fears because you will meet some of the sweetest and most incredible women at this retreat. For me, this was cherry on top of the most perfect weekend.

I hope this post is helpful to any of you lovely ladies still on the fence about The Pink Retreat. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any other questions about it!

“Make every hour a happy hour” -Lilly Pulitzer

xoxo,

Kalyn