Ben Trovato Reimagined For Today
The Ben West Palm, an Autograph Collection Hotel, channels the spirit of one of West Palm Beach’s original homes and interprets it for a modern traveler. Byrd Spillman Dewey gave her 1892 Victorian home the name Ben Trovato, literally meaning “well invented” or “well found”; the name is derived from Se non è vero, è ben trovato, an Italian phrase which, loosely translated, means “Even if it isn’t true, it’s a good story”. The Estate put West Palm Beach on the cultural map, entertaining luminaries like Henry Phipps Jr., Woodrow Wilson, and the Vanderbilts. Much like the Ben Trovoato Estate, The Ben is an unconventional hotel experience and a place for socialization, lively conversation, enjoyment, and enrichment.
Meet The Dewey Family
Drawn to magical, uninhabited land of South Florida in late 1800s – “a land of romance, fanned by mysterious spice-laden breezes” Byrd and Fred Dewey, moved to West Palm when only 200 people lived in all of South Florida and built the Ben Trovato.
Byrd Dewey, Grandniece of President Zachary Taylor, was a published and celebrated author, including national bestseller Bruno. She was a noted conservationist and animal lover. The hotel creatively channels Byrd Dewey’s joie de vivre, her love of entertaining, her whimsical interests and personal passions, as well as her strong advocacy for the natural world.
Byrd Spilman Dewey
Hailing from Kentucky, Byrd Spilman Dewey’s many talents brought her fame – as a columnist, author, land investor and bon vivant known throughout society as a superb hostess, demonstrating her charming hospitality at Ben Trovato. She wrote often of her pioneering days in a paradise that the world was just discovering. Her love of West Palm Beach and South Florida, her home for more than 30 years, is captured in her writings through their everlasting legacy in telling her story.
More information about The Ben
Injecting a new energy into downtown West Palm Beach.
“Se non è vero, è molto ben trovato”
FAQs
What makes The Ben different from other hotels in West Palm Beach?
The Ben is the only waterfront hotel in downtown West Palm Beach, sitting directly across from Palm Harbor Marina with views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Palm Beach Island. It is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, which means it operates independently with its own personality rather than following a cookie-cutter brand template. The hotel is inspired by the historic Ben Trovato Estate, the 1892 home of Byrd Spilman Dewey, one of Palm Beach County’s original great homes. That heritage shows up in everything from the art and design throughout the property to the way the hotel positions itself as a social gathering place, not just a place to sleep.
What is the Autograph Collection, and what does that mean for my stay?
The Autograph Collection is Marriott International’s portfolio of independent, character-driven hotels. Each one is handpicked for having a distinct identity and sense of place. For guests, that means you get the reliability and rewards of Marriott Bonvoy (points, elite status perks, mobile check-in) combined with a boutique hotel experience that feels nothing like a standard chain property. The Ben was selected for the collection because of its deep connection to West Palm Beach history and its one-of-a-kind waterfront setting.
What is the story behind The Ben’s name?
The hotel takes its name from the Ben Trovato Estate, a Victorian home built in 1892 by Byrd Spilman Dewey and her husband Fred. The Deweys were West Palm Beach pioneers and well-known socialites who hosted gatherings that brought together some of the era’s most creative and influential personalities, from Henry Phipps Jr. to Woodrow Wilson. ‘Ben Trovato’ is an Italian phrase meaning ‘well invented,’ and the hotel channels that same spirit of storytelling, hospitality, and lively conversation.
Where is The Ben located in West Palm Beach?
The Ben sits at 251 North Narcissus Avenue in downtown West Palm Beach, right on the waterfront across from Palm Harbor Marina. It is one block from Clematis Street, the city’s main entertainment and dining corridor, and just minutes from Rosemary Square (formerly CityPlace). Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is about a 15-minute drive away. The location puts you within walking distance of shopping, nightlife, galleries, and restaurants without needing a car for most downtown activities.
FAQs
What makes The Ben different from other hotels in West Palm Beach?
The Ben is the only waterfront hotel in downtown West Palm Beach, sitting directly across from Palm Harbor Marina with views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Palm Beach Island. It is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, which means it operates independently with its own personality rather than following a cookie-cutter brand template. The hotel is inspired by the historic Ben Trovato Estate, the 1892 home of Byrd Spilman Dewey, one of Palm Beach County’s original great homes. That heritage shows up in everything from the art and design throughout the property to the way the hotel positions itself as a social gathering place, not just a place to sleep.
What is the Autograph Collection, and what does that mean for my stay?
The Autograph Collection is Marriott International’s portfolio of independent, character-driven hotels. Each one is handpicked for having a distinct identity and sense of place. For guests, that means you get the reliability and rewards of Marriott Bonvoy (points, elite status perks, mobile check-in) combined with a boutique hotel experience that feels nothing like a standard chain property. The Ben was selected for the collection because of its deep connection to West Palm Beach history and its one-of-a-kind waterfront setting.
What is the story behind The Ben’s name?
The hotel takes its name from the Ben Trovato Estate, a Victorian home built in 1892 by Byrd Spilman Dewey and her husband Fred. The Deweys were West Palm Beach pioneers and well-known socialites who hosted gatherings that brought together some of the era’s most creative and influential personalities, from Henry Phipps Jr. to Woodrow Wilson. ‘Ben Trovato’ is an Italian phrase meaning ‘well invented,’ and the hotel channels that same spirit of storytelling, hospitality, and lively conversation.
Where is The Ben located in West Palm Beach?
The Ben sits at 251 North Narcissus Avenue in downtown West Palm Beach, right on the waterfront across from Palm Harbor Marina. It is one block from Clematis Street, the city’s main entertainment and dining corridor, and just minutes from Rosemary Square (formerly CityPlace). Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is about a 15-minute drive away. The location puts you within walking distance of shopping, nightlife, galleries, and restaurants without needing a car for most downtown activities.