Events
A Real-Life Winter Wonderland Melts Hearts in Palm Beach County
Snow Laughing Matter: This Holiday Wonderland Proves That Family Fun and Festive Surprises Never Melt Away.
November 3rd, 2025
By Riviera Beach Prep Journalism students
Snow may never fall in South Florida, but at The Ben Hotel in West Palm Beach, a frosty dose of holiday cheer has arrived all the same. Returning for its second year, Winter Wonderland has transformed the waterfront hotel into a festive escape where palm trees meet pine, and locals of all ages can glide across real outdoor ice under the glow of twinkling lights.
At the heart of it all is General Manager Bernardo Neto, whose passion for hospitality and community shines as brightly as the holiday décor itself. “My favorite thing about this hotel is the team,” he shared during a lively group interview with local students. “We have about 300 associates, and we work together to achieve hard things, like putting together Winter Wonderland.”
And “hard” might be an understatement. Creating and maintaining a full-sized ice rink in Palm Beach County’s subtropical climate is no small feat. Neto explained the process with the enthusiasm of a proud engineer: “We hired a company with proprietary technology that runs aluminum coils underneath the rink. A chiller keeps the refrigerant at negative temperatures, so the water stays frozen and forms a sheet of ice.”
Bigger, Brighter, and More Community-Focused
This year’s Winter Wonderland is more than just an encore. It is a complete reinvention. The hotel expanded the rink to 50 by 66 feet, up from last year’s 40 by 66, while also making the event more accessible. “Last year guests had to pay just to enter the tent,” Neto said. “This year it’s free to come in. We wanted more community.”
That spirit of giving back is reflected in one of the event’s most heartwarming features: a forest of 30 Christmas trees, each decorated by a local non-profit organization. “They do incredible things in Palm Beach County,” Neto said. “We wanted to give them a chance to shine.”
The layout invites guests down a red-carpeted path through the tree-lined wonderland, leading to cozy corners where children can craft gifts in Santa’s Workshop or send handwritten Letters to Santa. Every corner is designed to feel less like an attraction and more like a memory in the making.
From Portugal to Palm Beach
Neto’s journey to The Ben is as global as it is inspiring. Originally from Portugal, he came to the U.S. in 2001 to attend Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. Since then, his career has taken him from Hawaii’s island of Kauai to Europe, then to Las Vegas, where he helped open Park MGM, home to residencies from stars such as Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.
When asked how those experiences influence Winter Wonderland, Neto said it all comes down to crafting moments that matter. “People don’t just want a hot chocolate; they want an experience. So here, we don’t just sell tickets to skate, we create memories.”
Bringing the Christmas Spirit to Life
If you ask Neto what it means to bring the Christmas spirit to life, his answer comes without hesitation. “It’s family fun, unpredictable fun,” he said with a smile. “You come with one expectation, but then you find new experiences. Maybe you think you’re just coming for a drink or to see one Christmas tree, but then you discover this zigzag forest of trees, you go ice skating for the first time, and you leave with a memory that lasts a lifetime.”
And yes, Christmas is his favorite holiday. “It’s when I get to see my family,” he said. “For half my life I lived away from them, my brothers and my mom, so it’s the one season I’m guaranteed to be with them.”
A Lesson Beyond the Ice
Perhaps the most poignant moment came when Neto offered a bit of life advice to the young interviewers. “Put your phones away and get out on the ice,” he urged. “You’ll remember every second you’re out there. You might fall, but you’ll get up, and that’s the best part.”
He also spoke candidly about his toughest professional challenge: launching The Ben Hotel just five weeks before the pandemic hit. “That was tough,” he said. “You’re responsible for a team, for people’s livelihoods, and you don’t have control over what’s happening. But we got past it, and now we even have ice in Palm Beach.”
For Neto, Winter Wonderland isn’t just a seasonal attraction. It’s a reflection of what hospitality can be at its best—welcoming, imaginative, and full of heart. “Sometimes the best things in life are the simplest,” he said. “A cup of hot chocolate, a night with friends, a few laughs after falling on the ice. That’s what we wanted to give people.”
And with The Ben’s Winter Wonderland glowing against the South Florida skyline, it’s safe to say that spirit of joy has found a home, frozen solid in the middle of paradise.
Event Details
What: The Ben Hotel’s Winter Wonderland
Where: The Ben, Autograph Collection, 251 N Narcissus Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL
When: Select dates through the holiday season
Admission: Free general admission; ice skating sessions available for purchase
Highlights: Real outdoor ice skating, Santa’s Workshop, Letters to Santa station, 30 Christmas trees decorated by Palm Beach County non-profits
More Info: The Ben Hotel Winter Wonderland
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Winter Wonderland ©South Florida Insider
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Luli Fama celebrates its Paradise Found Cruise ’27 swimwear and resortwear collection with a luxury Miami launch at its Dadeland Mall boutique.
August 20, 2026
Miami swimwear favorite Luli Fama is stepping into Cruise ’27 with Paradise Found, a new swimwear and resortwear collection inspired by tropical escapes, exotic prints and effortless vacation glamour.
South Florida Insider has already taken a closer look at the Luli Fama Paradise Found collection, and it feels made for Miami.
The new Cruise ’27 collection combines the bold, body-confident swimwear Luli Fama is known for with elevated resort pieces designed to move effortlessly from the beach and pool to cocktails and dinner.
On Thursday, August 20, Luli Fama will celebrate Paradise Found with an exclusive evening at its newest Dadeland Mall boutique in Miami, complete with fashion, light bites, personalized surprises, and a luxe espresso martini bar.
Inside Luli Fama’s Paradise Found Cruise ’27 Collection
Paradise Found is inspired by the feeling of discovering a hidden tropical retreat.
Think lush landscapes, warm golden hour light, exotic patterns, and silhouettes made for somewhere beautiful.
The collection features Luli Fama signatures, including flattering ruched details, seamless construction, adjustable fits, and statement swimwear, alongside an expanded selection of resortwear.
We especially love the pieces that blur the line between swim and ready-to-wear.
Flowing dresses, sleek coverups, and body-skimming silhouettes make it easy to transition from a sun-drenched afternoon to an evening out without losing that relaxed resort feeling.
It is sensual, polished, and unmistakably Miami.
Luli Fama Brings Luxury Resort Style to Miami
There is a reason Paradise Found feels so natural in South Florida.
In Miami, resortwear is not reserved for vacation.
A swimsuit can become part of an outfit. A coverup can take you to lunch. A flowing resort dress can carry you from an afternoon by the water straight into cocktails and dinner.
Luli Fama has always understood that lifestyle.
Paradise Found takes it a step further, creating a Cruise ’27 wardrobe that feels as appropriate for a tropical getaway as it does for a weekend in Miami.
The campaign captures that mood beautifully, pairing the collection with palms, lush greenery, tropical architecture and the kind of sun soaked setting that makes you want to extend your vacation indefinitely.
Paradise Found Comes to Luli Fama at Dadeland Mall
Luli Fama will bring the world of Paradise Found to life on Thursday, August 20 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at its newest boutique at Dadeland Mall in Miami.
The intimate celebration will bring together invited guests, influencers, celebrities and media for an early look at Cruise ’27.
Luli Fama is also dressing invited guests in pieces from the brand, allowing the new collection to be experienced the way it was designed to be worn: in motion, styled and out for the evening.
Luli After Hours Espresso Martini Bar
Fashion is only part of the experience.
For the Paradise Found celebration, Luli Fama is introducing Luli After Hours, an Espresso Martini Bar inspired by the glamour of the collection.
Guests will be able to sip three specialty espresso martinis created for the evening.
The Luli Babe puts a polished spin on the classic espresso martini, while Golden Hour pairs salted caramel with edible gold shimmer. Miami After Dark takes a richer approach with chocolate hazelnut and a cocoa dust finish.
Along with cocktails, guests can expect light bites, curated details and a special personalized surprise.
The result feels less like a traditional retail event and more like checking into a private resort for the evening.
A Miami Swimwear Brand Celebrates at Home
For a brand with such a strong connection to South Florida, launching Paradise Found in Miami feels especially fitting.
Luli Fama has built its identity around colorful, confident swimwear and resort fashion with a distinctly tropical point of view.
Paradise Found carries that identity into Cruise ’27 while giving it a more elevated, escapist mood.
And with Luli Fama’s newest boutique now at Dadeland Mall, Miami shoppers have another destination to experience the brand in person.
After getting our own closer look at Luli Fama’s Paradise Found Cruise ’27 collection, we can safely say the name fits.
Paradise has officially been found, and this time, it is in Miami.
Check out the collection HERE
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