Palm Beach Luxury - The Breakers Hotel

Henry Flagler made his fortune with longtime partner John D. Rockefeller in Standard Oil. In his mid-fifties Flagler decided to gradually withdraw from day-to-day operations and turned his attention to Florida for resort and railroad development. He started in St. Augustine with his first hotel the Ponce de Leon and continued to buy and build railroads down the east coast. As the Florida East Coast Railroad opened the areas to tourism, Flagler continued to buy and build resort hotels along the way.

The Breakers Hotel was originally called The Palm Beach Inn and it opened in 1896. Wealthy gilded age visitors requested to stay “down by the breakers (waves)” so it was renamed The Breakers in 1901. The first hotel burned in 1903, rebuilt it and then destroyed by fire again in 1925 and was rebuilt by Flagler heirs in 1926. The current 528-room Breakers was rebuilt in 1926 by Flagler heirs, since Henry had passed in in 1913. The architectural firm of Schultze and Weaver modeled it after the Villa Medici in Rome.

Here is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

The entrance walk leading from the parking area

The main fountain was built in 1926 and was inspired by the entrance fountain to the Boboli Gardens on the grounds of the Pittl Palace in Florence, Italy.

Looking up at the front facade

There is some Breaker / Palm Beach historic information displayed around the hotel.

Do you like the images posted?
Click here to explore the shop.

The Breakers Palm Beach - A Century of Grand Traditions

By Lockwood, Charles

Henry Flagler, Builder of Florida (Pineapple Press Biography)

By Sammons, Sandra Dr

Flagler: Rockefeller Partner and Florida Baron (Florida Sand Dollar Books)

By Akin, Edward N.

Inside the 200-foot long lobby with tall windows and decorative ceiling.

The breathtaking floral arrangement, decorative ceiling and huge crystal chandelier in the lobby. The ceilings were painted by Alexander Bonanno, a classically trained New York City artist.

.

More of the beautiful lobby ceiling and a portrait of Henry Morrison Flagler, nicknamed the builder of Florida, hanging prominently.

More of the historic hotel and Palm Beach memorabilia displayed around the hotel.

.

Some of the nostalgic aqua inspired decor

Cocktails in the Seafood Bar with ocean views and the bar itself is an aquarium with beautiful fish swimming under your drinks.

An elegant loggia that leads to the ocean.

This wide corridor and open door lead to the beach. This made it a perfect candidate to be retrofitted as an army hospital during World War II.

An old postcard

Beautiful chandeliers and decor in one of the many corridors.

Unfortunately, there was an event going on in the Circle Ballroom and I did not want to take any pictures of their event. I was able to peak my head in and get a glimpse of the beautiful room with 15-foot windows, domed ceiling and spectacular ocean views.

.

The beautiful orchids and fountain in this outside seating area.

A square shaped travertine fountain, in one of the hotel’s courtyard, was custom designed by Fine’s Gallery.

.

.

The beach with somewhat stormy sky

The Hotel lit up at night

The fountain lit up at night

The Breaker’s Ocean Course is said to be the longest continuously operated golf course in Florida, founded in 1897, Flagler thought it was just a passing fad.

Today, the Breakers remains one of the few privately-owned resort.

What you should know:

• Restrooms are available.

• The staff are friendly

• You could spend a couple of hours wandering around here.

• There are a few restaurant options.

• Parking could set you back up to $30.00 for the day.

• There are some shops and relaxing outdoor space.

Location: One South Country Road, Palm Beach, Florida 33480

For more information: The Breakers