Movers & Shakers
We See You: Sarah Wetenhall
The owner of Palm Beach’s Colony Hotel is turning her hand to East Hampton’s iconic Hedges Inn.
DP’s series of the people—young, old, and everyone in between—who most intrigue us.
Why we’re watching her: Sarah Wetenhall is the owner and CEO of The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach—once the Florida retreat for Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, John Lennon, and John F. Kennedy. Wetenhall and her husband, Andrew, purchased the property in 2016 and worked with Kemble Interiors to renovate the 90 rooms. The Colony opened with very pink aplomb in 2023 and the “Pink Paradise,” as it’s known, has become an iconic boutique property.
On speed dial: It’s good to have friends who have hotels (and who doesn’t want to get out of those cold New York winters). Gwyneth Paltrow and Aerin Lauder have both held events and collaborations at The Colony.
Pedigree: Originally from Blue Springs, Missouri, Wetenhall went to Vanderbilt and spent more than a decade working in public relations for the fashion industry at Calvin Klein, Dolce&Gabbana, and Hugo Boss.
Surprising fact: In her first job, Wetenhall worked the night shift in the testing department at Kenworth, a truck manufacturer—and she can drive an 18-wheeler.
Not bad work if you can get it: Hotel guest and Vogue photographer Cecil Beaton once described his schedule at The Colony as follows,“Tennis, swimming, lunch. Golf, drinks, dinner. The Patio. Bradley’s. Bed. Tennis, swimming, lunch. Golf, drinks, dinner. The movies. The Colony. Bradley’s. Bed. Tennis, swimming, lunch. Fishing, drinks, dinner. Etcetera.” Sounds good to us.
Moving on up (north): In 2025, the Wetenhalls bought The Hedges Inn, a 13-room property in East Hampton village. They beat out Zero Bond’s Scott Sartiano (who was refused, at least in part, because locals were concerned he would turn the inn into a nightclub). But it likely also helped that the inn’s owners, the Cumming family, knew the Wetenhalls socially.
Reverse migration: They also announced they would bring Swifty’s—the once celebrated New York City spot now in Palm Beach and helmed by the beloved Robert Caravaggi—up to their newest establishment. Wölffer rosés all around.
Party spirit animal: The hummingbird, for its industriousness, light touch, and ability to move quickly from flower to flower.
Prediction: Since the Wetenhalls have just secured a $25 million deal to refinance The Colony, we anticipate a fabulous new look for The Hedges.
Hero image by Joe Schildhorn/BFA.com
