The Ben West Palm, an Autograph Collection Hotel recently announced the launch of “The Book Butler” program. We love this new complimentary guest offering, thanks to this partnership with local retailer, The Palm Beach Book Store. Through this program, guests of The Ben can participate in an experience that is “exactly like nothing else,” a hallmark of any Autograph Collection hotel worldwide. We have enjoyed seeing this type of offering flourish, and collaborating with the local retailer is a perfect scenario for the Autograph brand.
The Book Butler | Chapter 1: The makings of a great partnership…
The Ben is a 208-room luxury property and part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection that blends elements of Florida’s fascinating history with today’s modern lifestyle. Guests enjoy a rich and inviting lobby lounge, two on-site dining experiences, a 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center, a rooftop pool with private cabanas and an outdoor fire pit, and expansive views of the Intracoastal Waterway from nearly every floor-to-ceiling window along the hotel’s east side.
The Palm Beach Book Store has been the center of literary life on this gilded isle of Palm Beach since 1989. Founded by Candice Cohen, the store specializes in an impressive collection of works across many popular categories including architecture, interior design, fashion, jewelry, and many others. They are also locally known for an outstanding selection of biographies, nonfiction, fiction, and children’s books.
The Book Butler | Chapter 2: How it works…
The Book Butler program invites bibliophiles to order a book on-demand from a specially curated in-room menu. Hotel guests can dial “0” from their in-room phone to be connected to the Book Butler, who will hand deliver a new copy of their selected book to their guestroom, accompanied by a custom designed tasseled bookmark. A complementary in-room dining option, Book Bites, will give guests the option to order specially paired small plates with their book.
The Ben West Palm opened its doors to guests in February 2020; however, the late 19th century origins of the property have always been grounded in literature and storytelling. Byrd Spilman Dewey, a bestselling author and celebrated columnist, moved to South Florida in 1892 and lived in an estate originally named Ben Trovato, The Ben’s namesake and a term loosely derived from an Italian phrase meaning, “even if it isn’t true, it’s still a good story.”
The Book Butler | Chapter 3: The history…
In the tradition of storytelling, the Book Butler program pays homage to the rich literary history of the hotel and to the late Byrd Dewey, whose love of storytelling informed many of the other touchpoints throughout The Ben, including multiple literary-themed design elements: guestrooms feature secret sliding bookcases, and in the lobby, a book display wall is arranged to resemble a silhouette of Dewey’s face.
“We are thrilled to introduce The Book Butler program to our guests, not only because it offers another glimpse into the rich, literary-inspired backstory of The Ben and its muse, Byrd Dewey, but also because it celebrates a fine local establishment through our new partnership with The Palm Beach Book Store,” said Bernardo Neto, General Manager of The Ben. “We understand the value in supporting independently-owned, neighborhood businesses and giving back to our community, particularly during the current economic climate, and are pleased to be able to introduce our guests to such a revered local bookshop as part of this new program.”
The Book Butler | Chapter 4: The modern approach to hospitality…
Since The Ben’s debut a year ago, the hotel has served as a gathering place where stories unfold and unexpected delights of West Palm Beach mingle with modern comforts and vibrant local culture. The Book Butler offering will serve as yet another way for guests to draw inspiration from this illustrious neighborhood gem. Each book available through the Book Butler program is complimentary to guests, who may take the book home with them after check-out or leave it behind to be donated to the West Palm Beach Library Foundation.
“During the pandemic, it has been especially important that we continue to connect our customers to books,” said Candice Cohen, founder of The Palm Beach Book Store. “We look forward to partnering with The Ben to curate a selection of new and topical book titles that relate to the history of the hotel and the city of West Palm Beach, providing a wonderful keepsake for those who are visiting for the first time or who have lived here their whole life.”
Selections on the in-room book menu will rotate seasonally in partnership with The Palm Beach Book Store. As the program develops, The Ben and The Palm Beach Book Store hope to invite featured authors to give readings and talks at the hotel for guests.
