Palm Beach is the birthplace of true hospitality, and for true luxury, there’s no better option than The Breakers. Potomac Lifestyle recently hopped on an easy 2.5 hour flight from DC to this serene, gilded escape, and found that while it appeals to all audiences (couples and families abound!), The Breakers serves as a particularly perfect backdrop for a girlfriend getaway. Here is what we loved most about our stay – and what we think you will, too.
The Location
The Breakers gets its name from its enviable spot on Palm Beach, right where the waves break and crash into the sand. And while the entire island oozes glamour, this stretch of private beach is the main character. Nothing beats the simple splendor of keeping your balcony door open as you drift to sleep to the sounds of the sea – so trust us, booking an oceanfront room is a must.
Beyond the shoreline, The Breakers is just a pleasant walk away from the best parts of town, should you want to stretch your legs and enjoy the balmy weather en route to additional shopping, dining, and exploration. (If not, the resort offers complimentary transportation.)
The Outdoor Activities
Our favorite afternoon was spent by the adults-only pool, sipping on skinny piña coladas, but you can also reserve a private bungalow to have a quiet space to retreat to and enjoy being waited on hand and foot while catching rays and gazing out at the ocean.
When it was time to get our bodies moving, we opted to rent paddleboards. It was fun, easy, and safe, and the views of The Breakers and her beach from the water were stunning. There’s a wide variety of other watersports to choose from, too, including kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and snorkeling, and lessons available to teach guests how to master all of the above.
The Dining
Wow, let us tell you: the food and beverage options here are an absolute delight. We took the “ladies who lunch” title extremely seriously on this trip, and did our best to eat and drink our way through The Breakers. One standout highlight was the crispy crab cakes at The Seafood Bar (would you expect anything less from some Maryland girls?), a yacht-themed restaurant overlooking the ocean with mirrored portholes, an open kitchen concept,and live aquarium-topped bar. The meat inside was so flavorful that no remoulade was needed.
We also loved dining out at Henry’s Palm Beach, one of the resort’s restaurants that is actually located offsite, at the Via Flagler plaza. It felt fresh and fun to be able to hit the town, but still have the convenience of charging our meals back to our rooms. We loved indulging in a wine flight as we nibbled on comfort food: the “Pigs in a Pretzel Dough Blanket” appetizer, served with a delectable warm pilsner cheese fondue, really hit the spot.
And, of course, there’s The Breakers’ famous Sunday brunch, known as one of the best in the country. If you can, visit during stone crab season, which is October to May. It’s a local favorite from the overflowing raw bar.
Staying at The Breakers will make you feel like American royalty; given that past regulars included the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Astors, alongside many U.S. presidents, it’s essentially true. It is humbling to learn about the resort’s impressive history – after taking a tour of the grounds, Potomac Lifestyle managing editor, Sarah Rezvani, said it made her enjoy and appreciate our visit all the more. There’s something special about The Breakers that’s difficult to put into words. Considering their slogan is “Once you stay, you'll understand,” the next step truly is for you to experience it yourself!
