escargot

Fabulous does not describe the exprerience we had...there is not one thing we would changed - it had everything on our wish list for this escape - a beach to walk, pools, spa, pampering, casual to gourmet dining and spectacular service from the doorman to the sommelier team, and an easy 3 hr non stop flight....

...and can we talk about some of the decor, lighting and presentation at L’Escalier ??!! - and how about those new Bungalows overlooking the infinity pool - and that chocolate chip souffle......OH, OH !

Or how about the staff ! - they impressed us so as much or more so than any staff anywhere we have stayed in any country - not overboard, not disingenuous, not pretentious, not overly practiced - but just the right touch of personality, smiling, genuinely interested in their job and your experience and not hovering but appearing whenever needed - really we were joking about what they put in the water or where the training camp was located - every staff person we spoke with - many who have been there for from 2 - 18 years - could not stop raving about their job, experiences and working for the company and the family who owns it .

Whatever they are doing, they should patent their training experience, bottle the magic and sell it. Plus I want to drink some.

There were several conventions and multiple Saturday weddings but it never affected us in any way it was as if this resort just soaks up people and hides them somewhere-

The only thing I never anticipated doing was morning water aerobics in the lap pool but I had to work off some calories and I found a new exercise I love !

Carolyna, GoTravel, Bermudafan and more thanks for the help in finalizing a destination when I was planning all this back in March..

This is likely to be a long report, so I'll put sections in caps, so if you are only into food or day/beach/bungalow you can skip parts. - I just didn’t want to leave anything out- it’s been in my head since i got back so I am pounding this out and likely don’t have time to edit so excuse any errors please.

Overall experience
I don’t know how to do stars

When we went:
May 11-16

FRIDAY-arrival day:
Love the quick 15 min cab ride to The Breakers - we arrive before noon, and check in is not until 4, but they promise to call us on our cell phone as soon as room is ready.

Off to find lunch - began to get our bearings: the shops, gardens, pass the exercise/spa/lap pool complex, pass yet another pool, perusing various menu options along the way... we settle on lunch outside at the Ocean Grill

What was had:

Chips/salsa/guacamole to take the edge off with fresh brewed iced teas while we waited fo r: a salad special where every ingredient was fresh and delicious and included strawberries and chicken and the rest is a blur and a tempura grouper - all fabulous.

Keep walking to the infinity pool and bungalow area, take seat teak chairs overlooking the ocean and relax and breath that ocean air ! it’s about 2pm , phone rings room ready -

THE ROOM:
Experience a second of hesitation when we take the elevator across from the bar/restaurant and only need to go up one floor to the Mezzanine to the room, exit the elevator and take a right ...eee, we have the first room after the elevator and directly over the Seafood bar and restaurant.....and I do wonder if we are going toconstantly hear noise, or the elevator, or rumbling from the bar

we are assured by the bellman, who then calls downstairs, who also then assure us that they are so positive we will not hear a sound, that they have never had a complaint lodged about noise from this room - but they are happy to move us now or if we are unhappy - we decide to stay -

RESULT this is absolutely one of the quietest rooms I have ever slept in -

With open drapes it appears the ocean is in our room with us - on balcony we overlook ocean and lawn are where we get to watch a wedding one evening -
for us, room is perfect. Exc bed w/ fine linens, comfie sitting chairs, fine mini-bar/tv/cabinet, love the closet combo set up of drawers/hanging area - immaculate marble bathroom -

I am a cleanliness nut - this room and bath more than passed my test.
BEACH:
We are unpacked, in our suits and on the beach from 3-6:30 pm: they set up our lounge chairs, towels, table, umbrella in a perfect spot near the end, and we order our drinks, open our books and this is exactly what I wanted. I hear the waves crashing, I see tropical trees and plants, and I could be on Fiji.

This is my fav time on the beach when everyone else starts to clear out during that 4:30-6:30 time frame.

When the tide is low enough you can take a nice beach walk, at points the sand is a bit tipped which makes it difficult for my husband who is battling some heel issues, but I am glad to have a beach to walk - I never really feel like I’ve had a resort vacation if I can’t walk the beach for long enough.

DINNER:
ECHO. -
We take the shuttle off property. At first this was a surprise to me as I didn’t realize when I first booked that some of the Breakers restaurants were actually ‘off property’ thinking when they said I could walk to them (which you can) that they were closer, and you can walk to them also - and I still felt like I was in that 'contained resort' feeling I was initially after.

Great meal - love the decor, lighting, art, service
Nice edamame plate served with drinks -Husband loves seafood, I have a seafood allergy and the chef was so accomodating and once he knew the ingredients I liked, it was all left up to him.

WHAT WAS HAD:
martinis, sake
various sushi and specialty rolls, fish, etc alll he enjoyed, a lovely salad and beef dish for me but can we talk CHOCOLATE?! The chocolate chip souffle was so incredible - the flavor was great and the texture- invisible - you put a spoonful in your mouth, revel in an amazing burst of flavor and poof, it’s gone - as if it is so light, well there just can’t be any calories !

They order shuttle while you pay bill and it is ready when you are -

TAPESTRY BAR
This is exactly what I wanted this vacation (have I said that already?) - sitting, no ,
relaxing in a comfortable piece of furniture sipping brandy, munching on pistachios, looking at 17th century Flemish tapestries and a mahogany bar made from a 19th century mantel from London, chatting with the incredibly knowledgeable staff and listening to contemporary light jazz in the background - forget Calgon taking you away, just take me to theBreakers.

We peak in at L’Escalier where we are eating tomorrow night. Only a few staff members remain - I want to look at the lighting they have - it is so amazing I want some!- it's not that you haven't seen it before, but her shaping and form is just wonderful -I had to have the designers info - you can see some of it on the breakers web site, but more and much closer look on the web page of Ayala Serfaty, the designer

www.aquagallery.com

- I find her lighting and furniture absolutely breathtaking and in person even more so.

I am walking around with the maitre d’ as he explains about the lighting and decor and can tell the corner spot I want - nice loveseat for two, tucked in a corner, facing out, view of this magnificent lighting, plus some of the kitchen, yet separate and cozy. I ask if I can request a specific table and it is done.

SATURDAY:
CIRCLE ROOM:
Circle Room Buffet Breakfast:
There is no way I could do this every morning and I am glad we cancelled Sunday brunch b/c this is just an amazing experience, but so much food for me I only need to do this once or twice during a stay. We already decide it will be our parting brunch the day we leave b/c we’ll likely skip a lunch that day -

WHAT WAS HAD:

belgian waffles hot off the press, fresh fruit and whipped cream; crispy bacon, cheese plattter, eggs benedict and light omelettes.

BEACH/SPA
We have spa appts at 5, which allow you full use of spa for day. I am still in do nothing mode so I head for beach. Husband heads for spa and fitness center, then enjoys som Asian Lettuce Wraps at Ocean Grill and meets up with me on the beach -

same beach, same scenario, sit, be waited on, read, sleep, I'm officially on tropical time

- husband joins after lunch around 2, we stay until 4 and head to spa for showers, sauna, etc and our appointments.

He has a great massage, and I have one of the best all out manicures. I’m nodding off with my hands wrapped in those warm towels....heaven... have I said that?

Spa is excellent, not the biggest or necessarily best ‘decor’ of any spa I’ve been in - but excellent, immaculate, everything one needs -

on the way to our room, we see brides having cocktail part of receptions on the roof and one set up for a ceremony on the lawn, which we watch before dinner from our balcony.

DINNER:
L’ESCALIER

WOW - this is hands down, all around, one of the finest dining evenings we have ever enjoyed.

We want to adopt the entire staff, including the sommelieres.

The matire d’ greets us and jokes with me about him leading us to a table I already know the way to, some fun banter and the evening begins

The sommelier Richard Paladino, an advanced Sommelier - arrives with the champagne cart, wonderful discussion, selection made and poured, and he also helps us narrow down our choices for our dinner wine, a fabulous Margaux, one of my favorites. Amanda Marshall, another Sommelier, helps us with our final dinner choice and joins Richard in serving us for the evening.

We chat with both of them about wines, regions, the Breakers wine reputation, the Master Sommelier Virginia Phillips, her intensive 16 week course they all take if employees work in either L’Escalier or Tapestry Bar - the courses of the other Sommeliers at their other restaurants, the awards they have won from Wine Spectator and others, with such enthusiasm and knowledge and his genuine love of wine just puts such a smile on your face and makes the entire experience as special as it should be.

During the evening the chef also sends over various amuse-bouche, amusements for the mouth, between courses which are all an incredible tasting delight.

DINNER:
What was had, shared and devoured:

Butter roasted asparagu and spring morels, black truffle emulsion, parmeson broth;
Salade Lyonnaise: Poached Hen Egg, Duck Confit, Foie Gras Hollandaise;
Peppercorn Spiced Striploin of Wagyu Beef, parsely root puree, braised short rib “pot pie” (mini, mini) brown butter asparagus, cabrales beurre fondue

Strawberries and Rhubarb Flambe, prepared tableside, with lemon white chocolate baked meringue, grand marnier

and Creamsicle: tangerine parfait, champagne.

OK: this write up can not possibly do this meal justice. We sat at 8pm, we left our table at 11pm - it was the most relaxing, entertaining, happy, delicious, perfectly presented and enjoyed evening -

this staff is so incredibly perfect - they somehow find the time to get everything done perfectly and timed just so and also find the time to chat when you want about the wine, the food, where the beef came from, how it was raised, where they get this or that from, how it is prepared, why and then so perfectly know, as engaged as they are, when to say to a table, that they need to be excused and are needed elsewhere and will complete the conversation as soon as they can - if you watch them closely you can see them pass glances, I swear a secret sign language, so that everything is running like such a fine tuned machine, your evening is perfect, you never want for anything, you are never rushed, you never feel like they are rushed, and they do ti with such ease and grace it is amazing.

And, to top it all off, the couple in the corner across from us got engaged - he popped the question with the staff helping to present the ring and since no one had a camera, we gave the waiter ours so we could email them photos of the occasion as we all toasted them from across the room -

OK,wait, did I mention I like this place?

**I ask to borrow a pen b/c I want to jot down some of this food/wines and when I tell them why instead they bring me the menu, rolled up, autographed and tied with a beautiful gold tassled elastic and their business cards and names of the wines/champagnes. mmhmmm, I like it here.

My only disappointment is that I was told they are in the midst of dividing this restaurant so half of it will be fine dinings and the other half is to become a brasserie !! YIKES
I can not imagine. I guess it is not full enough, enough nights - people just don’t even want to have to wear a jacket to dinner anymore or get dressed up or don’t want to eat for 2 or 3 hours - I was so sad to hear this - but glad they aren’t doing away with it totally -
I can not wait to eat there again next year.

If you have not eaten there and are near or in Palm Beach, try and go now while all this gorgeous lighting is up and it is still one larger room.
about the restaurant:

http://tinyurl.com/2w375h

TAPESTRY BAR
for brandy and we walk around the hotel peaking in at th weddings in the function rooms (including the Cirde Room where one guest in the ladies room told me the cake was one of those $ 10,000 creations of Sylvia Weinstock from NY -

Wedding Peaks: ok, we peaked in all these rooms on the way to dinner - while the weddings or cocktail receptions were going on - suffice it to say I saw some of the finest floral arrangements, table decors, lighting- details that are equal to or finer than the best I’ve seen, and as a former corporate and private event planner I’ve seen some fabulous set ups.


SUNDAY:

Breakfast at the News and Gourmet shop: yogurt with granola, coffee and sit in the courtyard table and read the Times until

Aqua Aerobics ! in the lap pool at 10am. This was so much fun, I can not belive as a pool owner I don’t do this - I commit to doing it at home and have ordered some various noodles and weights and some kind of glove that makes you more duck like - today was a great mix of stretch, resistance and cardio, Monday more resistance work, less cardio - Tues rain so we did a ground lesson w/ instructor with new moves, general info, personal questions.

We both have spa appointment later in day, so we got our lockers early, he to fitness center, me to aqua and we meet on the beach

Beach, beach and more beach. Getting waited on, reading books, enjoying drinks, sleeping.

Lunch we walk up to Ocean Grill again
Enjoy great burgers, a cuban sandwich and back to the beach until around 4.

SPA
I do quick work out in fitness center, then enjoy shower, sauna, etc and then relax with some cucumber water and my book until I have a great hot stone and light massage - absolutely heaven and I love that I get some dark chocolate at the end !
Husband has mud treatment we meet up b ack at room.

DINNER
ECHO
We had no rezzie for tonight, we return to Echo b/c we had enjoyed it and feel we can eat light there

WHAT WAS HAD:
Fri night redux: edamame plate, martinis for me, sake for husband, more sushi, rolls, etc for husband - chef concocts something for me, a sesame chicken and we eat on the patio for a change, which is fine, but I am not big on patios that overlook a sidewalk and street unless it is a busy, busy people watching street, so I prefer this time of year the inside of the restaurant, but everythign is still great nad we have a wonderful time and
YES of course we have that magnificent delight of a
Chocolate Chip Souffle......

After Dinner:
MUSEUM AND HISTORIC BREAKERS

It’s fun walking the halls to work off dinner and reading the historical tid bits here and there, about the Flagler family, looking at the walls, marveling at the ceilings, enjoying the tapestries, and the floral arrangements in the halls and the courtyards, gardens, and we never did get into that Seafood Bar for a drink, with the aquarium bar overlooking the ocean, but we thought about it every time we got off our elevator....next time.


MONDAY and TUESDAY

Bungalows, pool and spa days

Ok, the Bungalows overlooking the infinity pool are to die for. Maybe I really was in heaven. This is the nicest pool/beach bungalow we’ve ever had. Great couch/day bed, chairs, flat screen tv, phones, etc, excellent outside rainshower with four other side jets and great lattice open work above with beautiful flowering vines, full bathroom, robes, slippers, everything you need to shower, etc straight from here at end of day.

I arrive at Bungalow at 9am, to drop off my things and head out again to the Coffee Shop for something light before getting a locker at the spa ( which use of is included with the bungalow, which is why I figured 2 dys of spa appts which gave us access and 2 dys of bungalow which gave us access) - and head to aqua aerobics. Our staff person meets me within minutes, - we have the bungalow directly across from the end of the pool, so when we sit in our lounges we look our ove r the pool to the ocean with an undisturbed view - it is perfect.

The Times is waiting, as is a fruit tray and he is happy to bring me the coffee.
I decide it is good to be me today
I watch some news, snack on the fruit and off to class.

Husband meets up with me after he’s done his fitness/spa hour and we go to bungalow, where we enjoy the day until 6pm -

during the day they deliver drinks, ice cream, spritzes of water, and our lunch of Asian lettuce wraps w/ peanut dipping sauce from the Ocean Grill -
we take a few breaks and swim in the pool, rest inside, mix some sun and shade with the umbrella at our bungalow, and we head to the spa to sauna, etc and shower -

I enjoy a cup of iced coffee after in the courtyard outside the coffee shop , trying to finish off a book and end up nodding off instead !
bungalow info:

http://tinyurl.com/y65g8g


DINNER:
Flagler Steakhouse: choose to eat on outside covered porch overlooking golf and tennis. Gorgeous evening. I would say this is an excellent steak house, our meat was as fine as any we’ve had in exc steak houses. Nothing to complain about, but nothing in many ways different from any great steak house - service was up to Breakers perfection, as was assistance with trying another wonderful Margaux, and I rarely order key lime pie b/c I am so picky about it and I thought this was one of the best I’ve ever had.

What was had:
Porterhouse steak, Steak au poivre, beet salad w/ mix of red and golden, apples and oranges; asparagus with hollandaise, caesar salad, and that key lime pie.


TUESDAY:

Mostly a repeat of Monday, but have ia few quick showers. Nice to have the bungalow on both a full sunny day so you could take breaks and be more casual eating lunch in the bungalow, etc and also for an iffy day so when it showered, we could just tuck inside until it moved on -

instead we ate lunch at the Beach Club for a change, had a great cobb salad and an excellent Middle Eastern salad.

Around 4 I shower and change and go shopping. Great swimsuit store where I surprisingly score with four new, actually affordable bathing suits (well there are some for up to $600 which might be afforable to some, but not for this lifestyle, so I’m not snagging those, mine are running $100 or less) and a few new cover ups. I do this purchasing in bulk when I find something that workds b/c I am not a consistent shopper, so I tend to do this so I only have to shop for something like boots, bags, shoes, etc or bathing suits every few years or more. The sales woman is incredibly helpful and lots of fun. It’s a pleasure, as has been evreything here.

Back to bungalow, gather up our things and head back around 6:30

Husband to spa and I head to room.

DINNER:
CUCINA dell arte

We did what I swore we would not do. We ate off site.
We wanted Italian, but truly we love kids, we have two, but the Italian restaurant on property has the video arcade and playground attached and we just wanted quieter italian and people said it might quiet down by 8 or 8:30 since it closes around 9, but we opted off site instead.

we took the shuttle to Echo and then walked around the block to this place and had a delightful table on the sidewalk - a fabulous meal - I found a thin veal dish which I love and an excellent salad, husband enjoyed a great chicken/pasta dish and we had a great bottle of wine and skipped dessert. Nice night to eat on the sidewalk and ended our trip with, what a surprise

Tapestry Bar
brandy and pistachios


WED: great brunch at Circle Room and headed out by 10:30 for flight home.

FABULOUS vacation. Just the break we needed.

And the service.... the staff on the beach, at the bungalows, the shuttle van drivers, the concierge, the bartender, the wait staff, and let’s not leave out those at “the podium” who check your room ID as you fly by them - I had a talk with Grace about where she got her eagle eye that she can read your name off your room card as you zip by and say “Good Morning with your name attached” - Grace has been there a looong time, and the funny stories from , was it Frank? , who used to be the doorman for over a dozen yrs at the Four Seasons in Boston, and all the rest of the incredible staff for making a perfect vacation and yes I am writing a letter not only to the President but to the Kenan family, the Flager descendants who now own the property - both of whom the staff speaks so highly about -

there were absolutely at least 2-3 business/company meetings while we were there and multiple Sat pm weddings but it never, ever intruded on our stay - their functions were separate and distince and did not impede on any part of our service in any area - this I can not say for every hotel/resort we have been in while other functions were taking place.
just excellent the way this place is run.

the long time employees and those on a seasonal internship, they were all wonderful, the property immaculate, the food perfect, the wines amazing, and I hope we do make it our annual May get away destination.

Ah yea, I’m a believer.
I want what they put in the water

www.thebreakers.com

carolyna

escargot, I am so glad it lived up to and passed your expectations! After reading your report, I WANT TO GO BACK!! You have really captured why it is such a wonderful spot. Tapestry Bar a big fav.....

GoTravel

How WONDERFUL!! I am jealous, envious, a green eyed monster!

Fabulous trip and Mr.GoTravel and I are supposed to head to south Florida for a week and I'm thinking about off season rates......

Thanks for sharing!

escargot

carolyna and Go T thanks -
boy if I had to head to Florida next week, you can tell where I'd be -

DebitNM

e- sounds absolutely the best! Glad you had such a marvelous time. Making a mental note of this report; maybe worth a trip. I spent lots of time in area when my folks were alive and lived in Delray Beach - who knew this heaven was so close by!
Debi

escargot

D- you of all of us deserve the Breakers break

DebitNM

quot;>

thanks e!

Kealalani

Thanks escargot!

I didn't know I missed the Breakers until I read this! Wonder how bad the weather is in june? Ahhhh Echo!!! Fresh grated wasabi!!!

It's funny, elsewhere I might have preferred staying at the Ritz or 4S, but after staying at this Grande Dame - there just is no comparising for being a tourist and living the viva loca!

Thanks for making the cravings set in!

claire_bluesky

Wow, what a luxurious resort! I've never seen such nice bungalows. I love resorts.

I actually love catching weddings on the beach - very romantic.

Thanks for telling us about your fabulous trip.

escargot

Kealalani: you said it, this is a special resort - sort of a combo of that old elegance, 'newport' gilded age, pampering resort, museum, many things rolled into one -

and oh yes claire, there are those bungalows....

DebitNM

e- would Breakers work for a honeymoon location? My DD is getting married next May and she asked me for suggestions. I assume that there is enough night life in PB if they wanted that, but I am thinking it sounds very romantic at the Breakers. What do your think?
Debi

escargot

Debi: I think it all depends on what she wants - as you can tell from my report we found it so elegant,
we felt so pampered and have not one complaint.
We saw multiple weddings on Sat PM and then saw those brides/grooms the following few days - some of them were just spending a few days there before taking off to somewhere else, one of them was staying for the week -

One of the staff told me many of their annual repeats are from couples who married and/or honeymooned there and return every year

If they wanted to leave property, there are tons of great restaurants and nightlife.

The only thing I would say it does not have is seclusion, if that is something they are after - I know there are other destinations where you can grab more secluded beach spots, that type of thing - or those resorts that are adult only, if that would be a preference for them -

But I would ccertainly suggest she consider it and request they send her the info and any special honeymoon info they may have/offer

Ralphie

I would guess that you worked for their PR department, except for the fact that the Breakers is consistently rated one of the best resorts in the US.

I'm glad to hear that place has still "got it" !

escargot

Ralphie you made me laugh - I also sent them a letter with the 'rate our resort' thing they ask you to do - my husband said almost the same thing - that maybe they'd give me a job in the promotion department ! That would be nice, b/c then I'd get a break b/c we are going back next year for Mother's Day too !

mclaurie

Wow. Didn't see this first time around. It's been many moons since I stayed there. Sounds like it's time for another visit. Thanks for sharing (and making me really hungry!)