The Breakers
The 116 year old Breakers Hotel is in a world of its own. For starters it’s a family hotel owned by the descendants of founder Henry Flagler. The family has spent well over 250 million dollars in the last decade to meet the needs of the 21st century traveler and maintain what is a fabulous palace on 140 acres of prime ocean front property. It may not suit everyone’s taste but there is no doubt that this yesteryear hotel is an exquisite Florida landmark, magnificent in nearly every way.
It still maintains an Italian Renaissance feeling with twin towers and arches fronted by Florentine fountains and formal gardens. The vast, opulent lobby reinforces the lavish Renaissance atmosphere, with marble and oak floors, frescoes and 15th-century Flemish tapestries and Venetian chandeliers hanging from hand-painted ceilings.
Back in the day guests dressed for the occasion. Women wore long evening gowns and men formal attire in the evening. Those days are long gone but make no mistake, although there is no set dress code, you’ll hardly ever see flip flops or cutoffs in the public rooms here. While once children were not permitted in the dining rooms in the evening, today they actually encourage parents to bring their behaved ones with them. The operative word here is behaved.
There is so much to do at the Breakers that a week is almost not enough. There are nine restaurants, five bars, five pools, two 18-hole golf courses, tennis courts (lit for night playing), 11 shops and a mile of pristine beach. Guests that really want to splurge can rent one of the recently renovated cabanas. They rent by the day and are fitted with a posh living area and private bath (some with whirlpools), and sitting areas equipped with Internet access, phones and flat-screen TVs.
Children’s activities abound with a children's camp providing tailored programs that include guided snorkeling. There are also private venues that include an arcade, game room, crafts room and even a mini-theater with first-run movies.
An exciting new drinking and dining experience has crowned the Palm Beach scene. HMF, located at The Breakers Palm Beach, introduces a thrilling and refreshing new take on the alluring, classic Palm Beach cocktail culture -- a destination for modern ‘social drinking and eating’ unlike any other on the island, and unlike any hotel lobby bar in the U.S.
The oceanfront Mediterranean spa and salon pamper sybarites with world-class treatments. Morning yoga, tai chi and dance-aerobics classes help justify the lavish breakfast buffets.
Most rooms have plantation shutters and elaborate window treatments, light woods, desks, TVs, and phones with voice mail and data ports. Wireless Internet access is available everywhere free of charge.
Double doors open to most baths, lavished in imported marble and with dual vanities, hair dryers, phones, magnifying mirrors and robes.
The best units open to balconies, some so close to the ocean that you feel the spray of the ocean on windy days. Even the entry-level standard rooms have updated decor, with fresh fabrics in muted pastel shades, while the premium deluxe- and premium-level rooms boast bolder, eclectic decor, dark-stained furnishings and patterned carpeting. All units now boast flat-screen TVs and MP3 players. Room service is 24 hours with twice daily rooms housekeeping including turn down.
The Breakers offers a number of well-priced packages that change according to season. The savings can be impressive, even to the wealthiest of guests. Be sure to check availability here online to get an idea or call and speak to one of our travel specialists.
The Breakers is a member of exclusive Virtuoso travel network. Book online or contact our Virtuoso Travel Advisor [email protected] for more details.
To learn more about Virtuoso click on the Virtuoso Tab!
