Palm Beach Hotel | West Palm Beach | Review

West Palm Beach is pricey. This hotel, Palm House Hotel, charges 500 bucks a night, and the breakfast is not included.

Out of curiosity I asked for the breakfast menu. As suspected, the Eggs Benedict was 40 bucks. Let's not get into the tax, or the tipping culture which needs tacking on.

The hotel is fairly empty. The staff seem appropriately bored. With the exception of John the barman, and Josh who was cleaning the glasses. He told me he can't handle the hangovers anymore so quit drinking 13 years ago to be more on his game. Fairplay I thought, and ordered a lychee martini.

I watched one of the other barmen make a Vesper, serving gin and vodka in equal measures. Which of course is the incorrect way. I tell him its 3 parts vodka, one part gin, half a serving of Kina Lillet (not available so Lillet Blanc will suffice) shaken over ice and with a thin slice of lemon peel.

"How do you know that?" Someone down the bar asks.

"Because I'm an alcoholic."

The massive tele in the room doesn't work. I have to call twice to get maintenance to fix it. Come morning it's on the blink again.

For dinner we have traditional Japanese flavours that are reimagined with a Peruvian twist, often described as Nobu Style.

Spicy Edamame, Seafood Ceviche, Black Cod with Miso, Glacier 51 Seabass with Black Bean Sauce. The dessert I forgot, but it was some kind of banana and ice cream.

It was delicious, and the Black Cod was the highlight. The bill came and they overcharged us 5 bottles of bottled water.

In fact, throughout the stay, mysterious withdrawals were made from my wife's account, despite us pre-paying for the booking. When we highlighted this assurances were made that these mysterious deposits, totaling close to a thousand dollars in total, would be reimbursed. It left us anxious and disappointed in the overall attitude of the front of house staff when we drew their attention to this, it was very 'business-as-usual'.

These withdrawals which we did not authorize, could not be adequately explained away.

Be very mindful of staying here. Ensure that you are of the understanding of what they are taking from your account, because they will not ask permission. And check the bill, because they will overcharge you. It would have been nice for them to take the water off the bill entirely once they recognised their mistake, but they did nothing.

The layout on the other hand is stunning. The three pink-glass-leafed Murano chandeliers that serenade the lobby and bar area are truly picturesque. The pool area we enjoyed shortly before the storms came, but the bar service around the pool was excellent.

The gym is also adequately stocked with weights, treadmills, water and grapes.

The room, aside from the non-functioning tele, had a very complex shower. 4 levers? But the bed was great, the towels and the layout was all effectively done. USB ports on each side of the bed. The coffee machine works, separate kettle for the tea.

Generally a pleasant stay. However, due to the confusion and lack of empathy regarding the overcharging of bills, we won't be coming back.