diazkris

Has anyone stayed at The Breakers in Palm Beach? My husband and I are taking our first 3 night getaway since becoming parents. My Husband wants South Beach, I want something a little more low-key. Is there enough to do in Palm Beach? Thank you for any info.

GoTravel

I love Palm Beach! You can find posts with extensive dining and recreation options in Palm Beach, Singer Island, and the area.

Highlights: Sailfish Marina on Thursday nights for the outdoor art festival thing.

Taboo on Worth Avenue to see and be seen.

Church Mouse for the best consignment shop in the country.

Water taxi tour on Lake Worth.

Bike, run, or walk the Lake Worth Trail.

kgh8m

The Breakers is a wonderful hotel, but it is a bit snobbish (dress code in the lobby, etc.). There's enough to do in Palm Beach to keep you occupied for 3 days - heck, there's enough to do at the Breakers to keep my occupied for 3 days!

xkenx

Another very upscale place is the Boca Raton Resort in Boca Raton, about 25 mi. south of Palm Beach.

Patrick

The last time we walked through the lobby of The Breakers, I thought I was in a retirement home. The average age there was easily 65. I'd think also that the Boca Raton Club would be in the same price range but have a much younger and less "formal" or "stuffy" feel to it. It's been a long time since I've stayed there, but there were always a lot more "yuppies" than "pensioners".

starrsville

I like the Four Seasons a lot.

GoTravel

Patrick, the Boca Raton Resort is more sporty. Guests are always schlepping golf clubs, tennis raquet, etc through the lobby. With the Breakers, staff is always trailing after guests schlepping their golf clubs, tennis raquets, etc throught the lobby.

BTW, I think Chris Everett is the resident head tennis pro at the Boca Raton Resort.

Patrick

Good way to explain it GoTravel, but you left out the staff members following guests with their oxygen tanks at The Breakers.

tburke99

I don't beleive anyone who has stayed at both Breakers and Boca Raton Resort and Club would prefer the latter. There is no comparison -- Breakers is by far a superior porperty. BRRC is old, worn and tired, with poor staff. Breakers can seem a bit snooty but is a great place.

South Beach is totally different experience. If you want action go to South Beach, the others are more sedate.

Patrick

When was the last time YOU stayed at the Boca Raton Resort, tburke? Before or after their recent 26 million dollar renovation of all rooms?

A quick check through the many reviews of both properties would quickly show they are about equal in both rants and raves. "Faded" and "bad staff attitudes" are very frequent comments for the Breakers.

diazkris

Thank you, everyone, for your input. My husband will be put off by snootiness and we are more of the sporty type than the oxygen tank type. I didn't even know there was a Ritz in Palm Beach.

diazkris

oops ... Not Ritz, I mean Four Seasons

GoTravel

diaz, there is a Ritz in Palm Beach.

I honestly don't think you could go wrong with either the RC, Breakers, BRR, or 4Seasons.

Patrick

Incidentally, my personal opinion is that there is much more "snottiness" at these places from the visitors than there is from the staff. Most staff members wouldn't be able to keep their jobs after the second complaint of rudeness or snottiness. But many, many visitors will arrive with tons of attitude and be very demanding since they feel they are staying at the "best" and the "most expensive" and therefore they need total attention. If you are a polite and friendly guest, it is doubtful you will be met with rudeness, snobbishness, or snottiness from any of the staff members.

bebe0711

The Ritz Carlton is very nice. It is in Manalapan, Florida. We stayed there and really liked it. It is only the next town over from Palm Beach. Breakers is beautiful as well. Keep in mind what Patrick has said about it. (Patrick, you always make me smile at your respones. Thanks!)

Palm Beach and South Beach are like 2 different worlds. I would pick Palm Beach ANY day over South Beach.

Have a great time!

Patrick

I love making people smile.

starrsville

What I like about the Four Seasons Palm Beach...impeccable service without a snobby (or snotty) attitude. It's a small hotel with quiet but casual elegance. The hotel wraps around the pool and faces the ocean and to me has a sense of serenity about it. I hate snobby hotels where I feel like I have to dress up to walk through the lobby. The 4S is nothing like that. I've stayed at the Breakers and Boca Raton (before the renovation) and prefer the size, staff and simple ambiance of the 4S. I've not stayed at the nearby Ritz, but did feel the Naples Ritz was a bit more formal that I like at a beach location - although it was very nice.

For a low-key beach destination, I'd chose the 4S and take a cab into PB for dinner, etc. To me, Palm Beach IS the opposite of South Beach.

GoTravel

The funny thing is you would think Palm Beach would have the snotty uptight atmosphere considering it has the wealthiest citizens on earth 4 months out of the year. Something like 97% of all Palm Beach residents from January through April are worth at least $1 million dollars.

It really just feels like a preppy ole beach town to me. Some of the nicest people I've met were in Palm Beach. Very laid back.

On the other hand, South Beach has the opposite feel.

starrsville

I think it has something to do with old money vs. new. The really wealthy rarely have the need to show it. A close friend who had the life I thought I always wanted (and has never NEEDED to work a day in her life) is one of the simplest living and unassuming persons I know.

capri767

Yep..there is a tremendous difference between old money and new..the new money attitude seems to be the need to show off with "stuff".... IMO Palm beach has none of that pretentiousness.