photos by JULIE SOEFER
styling by KATE STUKENBERG
model MICHAELA McCLURE FOR WALLFLOWER MANAGEMENT
hair and makeup by TONYA RINER
styling assistance by GRETA CONNOLLY
Shot on location in Montrose
The lobby of White Elephant Palm Beach
There’s only 32 rooms — and there’s just as many staff present to usher guests to their rooms, or whisk them to a destination of their choosing in a 2025 BMW. (Guests can also zip around town in a complimentary BMW from the hotel on their own.)
The lobby is draped in white curtains with woven rugs and a neutral palette. The centerpiece is “The Lady of the House,” a large painting by Orit Fuchs of a woman in oversize pink sunglasses and a blue headscarf inviting guests to explore the island (which is as colorful as she is!). The resort boasts more than 130 vibrant art pieces that pop against the neutrals of the hotel.
White Elephant has recently partnered with The Cove Club, giving guests access to the exclusive day-party locale. It’s a quick drive in the house BMWs to The Cove Club in West Palm Beach where pretty people sip rosé and listen to house music spun by a DJ with mega-yachts as his backdrop. There’s a splashy pool, a stretch of beach, and all the people watching one could desire.
While in West Palm Beach, head to higher elevation for more yacht views with a side of attractive tourists at Spruzzo, the rooftop restaurant on top of The Ben hotel. The Mediterranean-inspired environs include a 360-degree bar and lots of shareable dishes to pair with the eclectic cocktail menu.
Back in Palm Beach — or, as the locals call it, “the other side of the bridge” — Café Boulud is an al fresco oasis steps from the luxury shopping along Worth Avenue. In the courtyard of the single-story historic Brazilian Court Hotel, Boulud is dotted with white umbrellas shading brunch-goers who dine in an enclave of palm trees. Don’t miss the dover which can be shared and filleted at the table. It pairs perfectly with Boulud’s famous patio sipper, the White Cosmopolitan, served in a large martini glass with a frozen edible flower.
After a day of exploring the island, White Elephant beckons. The rooms are serviced three times a day, so returning is always relaxing and welcoming. Don’t travel far for dinner: Lola41 in the courtyard serves up sushi and international dishes in a buzzy vibe. For a nightcap, walk to Cucina, where the cool kids hang out. After the restaurant tables are closed out for the night, disco balls are illuminated and it turns into a full-on club. Don’t worry about staying out too late — the airport is close and easy to navigate, and the flight to Houston is only 2 and a half hours.
The entrance of the 101 year old building
The pool
The pool
The Park Suite at White Elephant
Capt'n Jose Roll at Lola41
DJ Adam Lipson at The Cove Club
The Seafood Tower at Spruzzo
Al fresco dining at Café Boulud
Photographer Jhane Hoang with two covers she photographed
Hoang’s first shoot for CityBook was in August 2017 — another overnight session, this one in a Downtown office building. The shoot was titled “The All-Nighters,” and featured a tryst between a male and female model “working late” at the office. She’s since been an integral part of, and an enthusiastic player in, CityBook’s most important annual issues: Leaders & Legends, Cool 100 and the Sexy Issue.
Hoang moved from New York City to Houston in 2017 to be closer to her parents; she helps father manage his dialysis and medical needs. She has become a treasured friend to many, and is an esteemed member of Houston’s arts community. As a freelance photographer, Hoang can no longer work, and though she receives some state medical assistance, it only covers a portion of her expenses. Please see a retrospective of her work below, and if you’d like to donate, the link to her Gofundme is here.
Jhane photographed model Krystie Wilson at an overnight shoot at HMNS’ then new Weiss Energy Hall
Musician Madeline Edwards by Jhane for Houston CityBook
Model Joao Diniz by Jhane for Houston CityBook
Model Isabel Li by Jhane for Houston CityBook
Musician Youth Soul Love by Jhane for Houston CityBook
Artist Tony Paraná by Jhane for Houston CityBook
Models Marion Sealy and Luke Keogh by Jhane for Houston CityBook
Author Mimi Swartz by Jhane for Houston CityBook
Author Bryan Washington by Jhane for Houston CityBook
Chef Alexandra Peña by Jhane for Houston CityBook
Skateboarding sensation Jordan Santana by Jhane for Houston CityBook
Home Run Dugout's Colby Smith by Jhane for Houston CityBook