It’s Time to Stop Ignoring The Golden Palace

A Nostalgic Dive into The Golden Palace: A Hidden Gem Worth Revisiting

On April 25, 2009, my phone lit up with messages:

“I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“RIP Bea :-(“
“TYFBAF.”

It had happened. Before it was even confirmed, I had sensed the news: Bea Arthur, my favorite Golden Girl, had passed away. The world felt dimmer without her, and less than a year later, I commemorated her legacy with a tattoo of her face, framed by a laurel wreath and the words, “Thank you for being a friend.” Dorothy Zbornak now lives forever on my left bicep.

In the days following her death, I sought solace in endless reruns of The Golden Girls. Even as background noise, the show brought comfort—though it was impossible not to stop and recite the characters’ lines. Seven seasons of episodes I’d seen hundreds of times provided a warm, familiar haven. The fictional four-bedroom, wicker-laden Miami home at 6151 Richmond Street felt like the ideal place to escape.

But there’s another address in Miami tied to the Golden Girls lore. One that fans often avoid mentioning:

The Golden Palace (street address unknown).

When Bea Arthur decided her time on The Golden Girls had come to an end after seven seasons, the remaining trio—Blanche, Rose, and Sophia—embarked on a spinoff, moving into a beachfront hotel and working there together. The show, The Golden Palace, ran for just one season on CBS and was largely dismissed by fans. Even as a devoted Golden Girls fan, I had avoided it. Dorothy’s absence was reason enough, but the premise—a hotel run by the trio alongside Don Cheadle, Cheech Marin, and a short-lived child character—seemed offbeat and unappealing.

The theme song, a calypso rendition of the original classic sung by a man, didn’t help matters. Nor did the recycled plotlines and questionable creative choices, like Blanche falling for absurdly mismatched suitors or Sophia transitioning from retirement to sous-chef.

Yet, with The Golden Palace added to Hulu’s library—and following the death of Betty White—I decided to set aside my reservations. After all, it was an extension of the Goldenverse. To my surprise, I found myself thoroughly charmed.

While not as polished as its predecessor, The Golden Palace holds its own as a lighthearted, funny series. The chemistry between the trio remains undeniable, and new cast members Don Cheadle and Cheech Marin bring refreshing diversity and charm. Noteworthy episodes tackle prescient topics, such as the Confederate flag’s troubling legacy, and even explore Blanche’s evolving views on LGBTQ+ issues.

Though uneven at times, the show offers delightful moments: Rose’s inability to figure out how elevators work, Sophia’s schemes, and Blanche’s outrageous romantic entanglements. Dorothy even makes two guest appearances, with Bea Arthur stealing the spotlight in scenes as sharp and cutting as ever. Her return alone elevates The Golden Palace to a status that warrants a rewatch for any fan.

Even my friends—initially skeptical—have come around. On a Golden Girls-themed text thread with drag icons and podcast hosts, we agreed: The Golden Palace deserves more love.

Sure, it isn’t the same as the flagship series. But it’s a fun, comforting companion piece. And while Miami without Dorothy Zbornak feels incomplete, revisiting this hotel offers a welcome escape into the Golden Girls’ world—one that I’m glad I finally explored.

As Bea Arthur’s Dorothy might say: “Who are you to judge me?”