I totally agree with Go Travel and the others, and yes it mainly boils down to the "old money -- new money" concept. And I think it is highly applicable to the residents. But I'm not sure that that applies to the people who go to places like The Breakers (or any of the other places mentioned for that matter)-- who may just as easily be "new money" pretending to be "old money". Now those are the really obnoxious ones. Get the point?

Hey - I have "no money" and I love the Breakers and Palm Beach.

I've grown up in Palm Beach (thanks to my grandparents) and we LOVE the Breakers. I jog through there every morning (along the golf course or the beach), go to the bar, upstairs in the old Alcatraz Room,which is amazing with it's fish aquarium bar, and have never felt like people were being snotty or rude to me. Of course I treat everyone pretty well, so they made treat me that way, back. I have also just taken a book there and hung out on the patio to read (I don't stay there) and feel very comfortable No one bothers me unless I want to meet someone. As for old, the last time I was there (early March), the average person was in their 40s. I think it's because they are the only ones who have the $$ to stay there these days. I would beware of Palm Beach fakes, though. They are plentiful. And stay away from Chuck and Harolds until they rennovate. Things are really bad there. Go to Caccina (within walking distance) for a hot time or Taboo on Worth Avenue. Both are excellent and well priced.

Paul, I'm with you! We have no money and also love the Breakers. Off season and all you know!

How fun it must have been to grow up there. I've sailed out of Sailfish Marina from Lake Worth to the Bahamas and have met some of the greatest people. I just love Palm Beach, Jupiter, Hobe Sound, Boca Raton, Manlaplan, and the whole area.

diazkris, hope you have a nice time!

OK, we made our reservation at The Breakers - can't wait to relax! Pre-baby it wasn't unusual for us to go away every month - hard adjustment to be waiting 4 months for the next trip.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your expertise. One last question - is a rental car a must?

It's a long walk into town from the hotel. So unless you plan on spending all your time at the hotel and/or take taxis all the time, get a car. By the time you pay for cabs to/from the airport and a few trips into town for eating or shopping, you might as well have a car.

Thank you everyone for your input! I love this site! Just got back from the Breakers today. Had 4 days of absolute relaxation. The hotel was absolutely beautiful and the service was unbelievable. We didn't see any staff following the elderly around with oxygen tanks. In fact there was a good mix of families, and couples of all ages. Loved the spa! My inlaws surprised me with a birthday gift card to the spa when I arrived. What a treat. My husband loved the golf. Would go mid-week next time b/c they were down to 30% capacity today (monday) from 90% over the weekend. Can't wait to go back but can't afford the inseason rates. Will have to wait until next summer.

So glad you had such a good time!

I just love The Breakers and the Palm Beach area!

I was at the Breakers in early July for a weekend and it was primarily families. There were children everywhere. Not what I expected but they had a good children's area where the kids could have pizza and play together while the parents could have a romantic evening out. Not the Breakers I remembered. I have always been treated with courtesy there and at the Boca Raton resort. I prefer the Breakers but the Boca spa has it all over the spa at the Breakers...at least in July (perhaps their best staff is up north for the season there).

Glad to hear it was so wonderful! We are heading there on Saturday, Aug 20th and staying the week. We are 2 families with 3 kids: 3,4 and 5 years old. If you have any input on the restaurants, etc. please let me know.

Also, I heard that the spa treatments were just OK. Please let me know how you liked them.

I was at the Breakers last weekend with my 13 year old daughter. We loved it!! Awesome staff and rooms, great restaurants and as mentioned before, kids all around. Very nice little shops in the hotel. There is a major renovation going on in the south end section, new pools and beach clubs and cabanas but we not have know the construction was going on if the hotel had not pointed it out. I highly reccommend it. In the words of my 13 year old *I feel like a princess in my own castle and everyone is trying to be the 1st one to wait on my every need!* Pretty good review from what I can gather from a 13 year old girl.
Happy Travels, April

Tango,
The Italian restaurant near the kid's club was very kid-friendly and the prices were good. (We never tried it - our daughter stayed home with Nana) Try the News & Gourmet for breakfast - coffee, juice, croissants, bagels,... and pretty reasonable too. There are a few restaurants a few blocks north that would be OK for kids. Also try City Place - a few min. away but fountains, shops, restaurants (Bellagio was good)-kid friendly. As a teacher and parent, I was very impressed with the kids' club staff. We saw them at the North Pool and they were playing volleyball with the kids - very positive and very kind. Definately will be revisiting when our daughter is old enough for kids club. Have fun and you will feel like a "princess" or prince, as AprilA's daughter put it. And by the way, I loved the spa

diazkris,

We are going to eat at the Italian restaurant the first night. I think that would be a great intro for the kids. We are going to send them to the kids club at least one day - after we check it out. Our kids are little and it is a bit nerve-racking to hand them over to complete strangers! We haven't done that before, but I think all three would love to meet other kids and do some activities.

We are also going to have a night out for my husband's 40th birthday; therefore, we are going to book a babysitter. Also nerve-racking, but I think the kids do not want to sit for hours with grown ups while we have a fancy meal!

We are so excited. I've dreamed about going there since last year when I saw it on a website. I love it when travel dreams come true!!!

We were next to people on the beach who were talking favorably about the babysitter they used. We went to Flagler Steakhouse for my birthday dinner. It was delicious. Excellent service and a great view if you sit on the terrace. Enjoy!

diazkris,

thanks for your advice. The Breakers was great...both for parents and for kids! Loved the Italian Restaurant and did use the babysitting service. The person we got was wonderful!

I posted a trip report under "The Breakers - Palm Beach Florida Trip Report" to shout from the mountaintops how great the Breakers was!