The best place to buy a Rolls Royce in the whole world appears to be Palm Beach County.

The elite carmaker has picked Braman Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Palm Beach as its dealer of the year both globally and in North America, the first time a North American store has won both honors.

The award signifies the brand’s growing popularity, the surging economy and the strength of the luxury lifestyle in South Florida.

Rolls-Royce made the choice among its 127 retailers worldwide and 41 in North America. North America re-gained its spot as the largest sales region for the brand, with sales up 30 percent last year from 2013, a news release said.

At the West Palm Beach dealership, near upscale Palm Beach Island, sales of new cars more than doubled last year to 65, up from 30 in 2013, said Ed Shepherd, sales manager.

“Rolls-Royce is becoming more and more popular in the area,” thanks to referrals from residents buying and leasing the luxury car, Shepherd said. “And it’s the all-around economy improving as well.”

New Rolls-Royces start at around $300,000 and run up to about $600,000, averaging close to $400,000 each at the store, Shepherd said. Many lease for more than $3,000 per month.

The award recognizes more than new-car sales, however. It also considers handling of used cars, parts and service, plus customer satisfaction reports.

Rolls-Royce also reviews store operations, including handling of “Bespoke” models, cars that customers order to their own specifications. Bespoke vehicles now make up about 80 percent of sales, a news release said.

Inside the Bespoke lounge at the West Palm Beach store, clients personalize their vehicles from more than 44,000 exterior colors and a variety of textiles and interior materials, from soft leathers to high-tech carbon fiber. Clients work with design consultants before their car is made in Goodwood, England.

The company built just 4,063 vehicles last year, even in its fifth straight year of growth, a statement said.

In West Palm Beach, the honor will give customers better access to that limited supply, said Ralph Avila, general sales manager.

“For instance, Rolls-Royce will build only 35 of the new Waterspeed Collection Phantom Drophead Coupés for the entire world, and we’ll get three of them,” Avila said in a statement. “And, in a few years, when the new ‘all-terrain’ Rolls-Royce is introduced, we will be among the first to have one.”

, 305-810-5009, @dhemlock on Twitter