The Breakers is a uniquely classic Florida resort in a uniquely classic community. A celebrity favorite since 1896, and in its current building since 1926, The Breakers Palm Beach boasts a rich history rivaled only by its own penchant for constant reinvention.
By Anne & Les Heintz
Editors Note: Booking The Breakers through TravelAnne gives you additional value including complimentary daily breakfast for 2 per room, $100 resort credit, upgrade, early check-in, late check-out if available.
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Whenever the two of us talk about our favorite resorts in the United States, or for that matter in the world, The Breakers is certainly in the conversation. This is a special property with a rich history that offers a luxury experience that never gets old.
The Breakers offers a modern and relaxed elegance that is hard to match.
First impressions are lasting. It can make or break your day, especially if you’ve been travelling for hours to get there. At The Breakers this experience begins even before you get out of your car. Pulling into the resort for the first time, you’ll admire the iconic double-tower structure. The well-manicured and landscaped palm lined driveway leading up to the Mizner designed building with grand fountain does not disappoint.
This is Henry Flagler’s contribution to the history of Florida tourism and development of Palm Beach.
Flagler built The Breakers in 1896 and then rebuilt in 1926 after it was destroyed by fire. His descendants still run the resort today and invest a minimum of $30 million a year to keep it at the cutting edge. In other words, they do some sort of renovation EVERY year in the off season. Soft goods never get faded or tattered…one of Anne’s personal bugaboos!
The “wow” factor continues as you enter the front lobby. The resort was created in an Italian Renaissance-style and the lobby has the feel of a magnificent Italian villa from the 1400s. Don’t misunderstand us. This is not dark, old or stuffy. The lobby is bright, modern, elegant and welcoming. Some have called The Breakers a “modern classic” resort.
Adding to the arrival experience is a wonderful staff that seems genuinely happy to meet you. There are a lot of them. The Breakers employs about 2,200 associates with a collective fluency in more than 50 languages. And to top all that, the female employees who deal with guest are dressed in classic Lilly Pulitzer. This is Palm Beach after all!
The hotel takes their Covid 19 protocol very seriously. There are large hand sanitizing stations everywhere including the main entrance and all elevators. Valet and bellmen are there to assist, but you can self-park and handle your own luggage if preferred. We did see some luggage sanitizing as well.
Plexiglass is in place at the check-in desk. Everything is touchless, so no exchange of credit cards, just a rundown of their ”rules” which is also sent to you with your confirmation upon booking. The concierge and front desk communicate with you via text message. Maximum number in elevators is 3 unless in a family.
Masks are required in all indoor areas as well as around the grounds of the hotel. Once sitting at the pool or at a restaurant you are free to unmask. You are also given the choice as to whether you want housekeeping to service your room or not. Tables in restaurants are spaced out as are pool chaise lounge. The latter are cleaned with special disinfectant as soon as they are vacated for the day.
Now for the details. The Breakers resides on 140 acres of oceanfront property in the heart of Palm Beach. It has 538 guestrooms, including 68 suites – two Imperial Suites, and four Royal Poinciana Suites. Rooms feature ocean or resort view and custom furnishings.
There are 10 restaurants, two 18-hole golf courses, a 6,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor oceanfront fitness center, and a 20,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor spa.
There is also a Mediterranean-style beach club overlooking one-half mile of private beach, four swimming pools, five whirlpool spas, luxury poolside bungalows, variety of water sports. Added to that, The Breakers maintains 10 lighted tennis courts, an extensive program of family and children's activities, as well as 11 on-site boutiques with distinctive merchandise.
In other words, there is something there for everyone. Oh, and it’s in Palm Beach!
At this point, we need to come clean and admit that we have a soft spot for this resort. The Breakers has been a regular destination for our family for over 30 years. Our oldest daughter, at 2-weeks of age, slept through the night for the first time at The Breakers. Anne’s mother celebrated many birthdays there, including family gatherings to mark her 75th and 90th!
We decided that it would be more than appropriate for The Breakers to be one of the first profiles we wrote for this blog. Besides, we needed a place to celebrate our 40th Anniversary!
Now for our personal observations.
The rooms and bathrooms are comfortable and well-appointed with every conceivable amenity. They are not mega-sized rooms like you’ll find at some of the newer 5-star resorts. But they are spacious with plenty of room for two.
If you can afford it, the oceanfront rooms are our favorites. You are literally right over the beach. In the winter you can open up your sliding glass door at night and hear the waves. There aren’t people laying out below your window, so you don’t have to worry about outdoor disruptions.
The Breakers has always done a healthy group business during the off season, which can be a downer for individuals. I will tell you that I’ve never seen it managed so well. They have one wing that houses all the meeting space so you wouldn’t necessarily be aware of it. They manage their space to guest ratio really well.
The restaurants are plentiful. Italian, seafood, sushi, Asian, Steak House, and 3 casual dining restaurants, two of which are overlooking the Atlantic.
The two golf courses offer completely different experiences. The Ocean Course is just across the street from the Resort. It is a fun but short course that takes about 2 and a half hours to play. Breakers West is a shuttle ride away and is longer with a pace of play that should be in the 4-hour range.
From Les: "My experience at the Ocean Course is a great example of the high level of personal service you receive at The Breakers. I arrived at the course for my early morning tee time and learned that breakfast was not available due the the current protocols. The gentleman at the bag drop asked me if a breakfast sandwich would do the trick. I said "of course" and headed to the range to warm-up. Ten minutes later, a ham and egg sandwich was delivered to my cart. It was the best part of my day and still makes me smile when I think about it!"
As for shopping (Anne’s particular weakness), there are boutiques on property as well as new shops managed by the hotel on Royal Poinciana… just a short walk away. Then of course, there is always the infamous Worth Avenue, which is about a 5-minute car ride from The Breakers. At a minimum, we recommend taking a walk up and down Worth Avenue at night to window shop. Don’t forget the side Vias as well! This will keep your bank account a bit more robust if nothing else!
We have found that The Breakers indulges its clientele with a relaxed elegance, whether it be couples on a romantic getaway, multi-generational travelers on a family vacation or large celebratory occasions.
Want to learn about other resorts in Palm Beach? Additional profiles can be found on our full TravelAnne blog!
Anne and Les Heintz are Co-founders of TravelAnne.com. Anne is a Travel Advisor. Les is a television & media producer. They are based in Washington, DC and have been traveling the world since they met in high school more years ago than they care to admit. They can be reached at info@TravelAnne.com
** Editors Note: Booking The Breakers through Anne gives you additional value including complimentary daily breakfast for 2 per room, $100 resort credit, upgrade, early check-in, late check-out if available.