Review: The Breakers Palm Beach

Why book?

Known for its Italian Renaissance-inspired architecture, The Breakers is a luxurious beachside stay full of authentic experiences that big-box hotels cannot offer, including 10 distinct restaurants and four pools, all within the storied island of Palm Beach.

Set the scene

Arrive by car and enter the hotel’s main driveway to then be greeted by the resort’s grand Florentine Fountain with four sculpted water nymphs dancing around an octagonal pool, a visual amuse bouche to the opulence that awaits. Once inside the hotel doors, there’s a harmonious tension between an older and younger generation at The Breakers. Fashionable guests of all ages mingle and mix in common areas, conversing about everything from stocks to cocktails. Sure, there’s an air of elegance that pervades with guests often embodying that quiet luxury vibe, but that doesn’t spoil the authenticity of the resort, which is a destination for those seeking a blend of sun, sand and sophistication—no matter what designer label your shoes happen to be.

The backstory

The Breakers is the brainchild of oil and railroad tycoon Henry Flagler, an icon often credited with giving travelers accessibility to the great unknown that was Florida in the late 1800s. The palatial 534-room hotel is still owned by Flagler’s heirs, who commit to reinvesting in the hotel with a $25 million annual capital campaign (hence the full-scale renovation of the recently reopened Flagler Club boutique hotel within The Breakers). Styled after the architecture of the Italian Renaissance, The Breakers is a 140-acre property that has remained a posh coastal destination since its opening in 1896. Italian artisans were flown in to hand paint the fresco ceilings, often depicting Renaissance landscapes. Despite its distinct hat tip to a historic era, The Breakers manages to breathe modernity in intangible ways, like the hip HMF lounge that oozes energy from a regular rotation of live DJs.

The rooms

I had to call my mom immediately after slipping under the bed covers to tell her how soft these linens felt. Comfort and plushness aside, the guest rooms have a neutral palette that does not take attention away from what’s waiting outside the room, either the turquoise-blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean or the property’s verdant green gardens. After a five-minute recon mission of opening every cabinet in the room, I discovered there was no in-room coffee machine, so be prepared to either wake up before 9 a.m. to grab the lobby’s complimentary cup or buy one at a restaurant. A splurge-worthy stay awaits at the Flagler Club, a boutique hotel within The Breakers that recently underwent a renovation. The 21-room option has its own lounge and terrace (with complimentary food and beverage offerings), as well as a dedicated staff that services the residential-style accommodations.

Food and drink

Where I’m from, Sunday brunch at The Breakers is as legendary as it gets. If you’re lucky enough to snag a reservation (usually recommended several weeks out of your preferred dining date) at The Circle restaurant, let’s hope it’s during stone crabs season from mid October to mid May, where those sweet-tasting shellfish are beautifully displayed at the restaurant’s brunch buffet. If timing isn’t on your side, then rest assured the rest of the Sunday brunch is as spectacular as you imagine, with fresh oysters, lobster claws and tails, sushi, carving stations and more for your eyes and belly to behold. There are 10 restaurants at The Breakers, which includes two eateries that are a bike ride away, each with their own distinct personalities. Take Seafood Bar, for example, with its exhibition kitchen and extensive wine list. Speaking of wine, the property’s entire portfolio is managed by Virginia Phillips, a master sommelier who heads the 55,000-bottle cellar and has even partnered with a vineyard in France to custom-blend four wines for The Breakers.

The spa

Where most of The Breakers’ design is filled with homages to Italian villas of yesteryear, easily the most contemporary space on the entire property is the Spa. The indoor-outdoor spa has a minimalistic design with soothing French vanilla-hued walls and furnishings. Facial services feature Tata Harper products, known as a leader in the clean beauty movement.

The neighborhood/area

If the barrier island of Palm Beach is anything, it’s spectacularly opulent. Glistening shops and restaurants beckon a see-and-be-seen crowd within this coastal community. Rent one of the complimentary resort bicycles and head directly east to Royal Poinciana Plaza, an outdoor shopping and dining destination with tenants such as beloved New York City institution Sant Ambroeus. Or, if shopping isn’t your preferred vacation activity, take the bike to the nearby Intracoastal Waterway and traverse on Palm Beach Lake Trail, a bike- and pedestrian-friendly path that abuts the water’s edge that is lined with docked yachts.

The service

After walking past the trio of columned arched entrances, guests are met with a warm smile and a “how can we help” look from the assigned lobby greeter who, in our case, guided us toward the registration desk. The service points only went up from there with complimentary beverages served at check in, our luggage perfectly placed in our rooms before we entered, and an in-room minifridge with free waters (be careful: There is a separate, clearly marked minifridge with drinks that have fees).

For families

During our stay, a girl about the age of 10 years old stopped my son and me to ask how we were enjoying our property. It’s amazing, my son and I answered. We asked what she thought about The Breakers, and she said, “I love it here.” And, it’s easy to see why families and kids of all youthful ages feel this is a destination not just for the adults, but for them as well. Walk along a short path lined with manicured foliage, and you’ll find the Family Entertainment Center with an arcade, family programming (such as a Build-A-Bear workshop), outdoor playground and nine-hole mini-golf course. There’s also The Italian Restaurant located within the 6,100-square-foot entertainment complex that serves classic Italian comfort dishes (during idle times while dining, kids can feel free to jaunt toward the arcade for a round of air hockey before the plate of rigatoni is served). My two kids played on the 4,500-square-foot shaded playground for what felt like hours before heading into the arcade to challenge each other to a round of Skee Ball.