THE BREAKERS COVERS ALL BASES AS A FAMILY-MINDED DESTINATION,
ENRICHING GUESTS OF ALL AGES
PALM BEACH, FL – The biggest surprise to those long familiar with The Breakers Palm Beach, a luxury hotel built by Henry M. Flagler at the turn of the last century, is the thriving family market it has developed in recent years. Having invested $250 million over the past decade in its ongoing revitalization and expansion, the classic oceanfront resort has transformed from a grand dame of formality into one of the most timeless vacation destinations in the world, with an extraordinary accommodation to families. A former leading lifestyle magazine, Child, named The Breakers Number One on its list of the country’s Ten Best Family Friendly Resorts (May 2006), after completing a comprehensive survey of more than 340 properties in the US.
The resort radiates an irresistible charm that engages adults and children, thanks to its genuinely family-minded and resourceful staff, an aura of casual sophistication, and an array of dining options and recreational amenities. Even with its palatial, Italian Renaissance design, the hotel has the feel of an inn for discerning families. Accommodations and guest services ensure that comfort is on par with the elegance one would find at a grand residence.
The Coconut Crew Interactive Camp satisfies today’s families who want their children to savor memorable experiences while on vacation. At the same time, adults have the option to enjoy indulgences on their own, such as The Spa at The Breakers or a romantic dinner at the award-winning L’Escalier.
According to Tricia Taylor, hotel manager of The Breakers, “We want to enhance the overall resort experience for guests of all ages and to make their stay as memorable as possible. This commitment is evident in virtually every area of the hotel, and fosters great loyalty among our clientele – including the little ones,” she continued.
Accommodations
The Breakers accommodations were redesigned with families in mind, and a number of its rooms are connected. Families have the opportunity to reserve in advance up to three adjoining guestrooms, including king and double-bedded rooms to give adults more privacy while the kids are in close proximity. As always, children 16 and under stay free in the same room as their parents, and have the choice of a rollaway bed or sofa bed (where available).
At the time a reservation is made, many details can be covered in advance of arrival to ensure the optimal experience for families. Guests or their travel agents can provide helpful information to the resort during the booking process (such as estimated time of arrival and ages for childproofing), to give parents greater peace of mind and to create a safer environment for youngsters. Services and amenities include:
· Childproofing: at time of booking, names and ages of children are entered into the computer. If there are infants or children ages one to three, the guestroom is eligible for childproofing. Upon request, plastic bags are removed from garbage pails, horizontal surfaces are cleared, outlet sockets are covered; and for infants specifically, an infant bath can placed in the tub and its spout covered. Bottle warmers and nursing equipment are also available and can be requested at the time of reservation. Bed rails and diaper changing tables are also available if needed
· Step stools for children; available for families/guests with children three years of age and older, upon request
· Babysitters, experienced in childcare with infants, toddlers and children of all ages, with first-hand knowledge and familiarity with the resort. It is recommended to book in advance of arrival and 24-hours in advance of babysitting reservation
· Mini-refrigerators can be reserved in advance. The fridge can be stocked with child-friendly items such as juice boxes upon request
· Coconut Crew Interactive Camp, the resort’s signature family and children’s program; pre-registration is required
· Availability of strollers for use during guests’ stays, for nominal fee
Other in-room amenities and services tailored to families, include:
· Media options include in-room movie system, offering in-room games such as Sony PlayStation® or age-appropriate movies. DVD players are in all rooms and movies are available upon request from hotel library. In addition, all rooms have family-friendly cable channels such as Nickelodeon and the Cartoon Network
· Welcome card from Coconut Crew Interactive Camp, inviting young guests to join in the fun with their families or on their own. By returning the card to the resort’s Family Entertainment Center, the child receives a complimentary gift
Coconut Crew Interactive Camp
The Breakers Palm Beach offers a unique and captivating program that enables children and their parents to share memorable experiences with each other. The Coconut Crew Interactive Camp is a seven-day-a-week program offering fun-filled, organized activities flexibly based on children’s developmental skills, recreational and social interests. Activities for children ages 3-12 focus on creativity, imagination, arts & crafts and outdoor adventures. Coconut Crew Interactive Camp also features an engaging program of activities – professional golf and tennis, snorkeling, soccer and swimming - that sharply contrasts with typically rigid sports instruction. The weekends kick off with Friday Night Camp, which begins with pizza in The Italian Restaurant followed by outdoor activities such as lawn games, swimming, playground activities, star gazing, seashell scavenger hunts and bonfires on the beach.
The Camp is operated by a staff fully-trained in CPR and first aid. The staff encourages sunscreen and helps children to re-apply sunscreen regardless of weather conditions. Participants are provided with water and snacks throughout the day. Lifeguards are present at all water events. There is a 1:5 counselor-to-child ratio. The Camp is scheduled and priced per session (9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. and 12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m.) or per day (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.), to be flexible for family/individual preferences.
Signature Recreational Amenities
Family Entertainment Center
Inclement weather never puts a damper on happenings at The Breakers. Children and their parents can visit the Family Entertainment Center – a secure, self-contained multiplex that is open daily. Resort staff members float throughout the facility at all times, readily available to provide guest service. The Center features:
· Arcade with more than 20 classic and contemporary games
· Toddler and children’s playroom surrounded by glass windows (allowing patrons of the adjacent family-friendly Italian Restaurant to view their children inside)
· Children’s arts & craft room, featuring a 1,000 gallon Salt Water Aquarium filled with indigenous marine life and other living creatures
· Children’s movie theatre featuring entertaining films appropriate for all ages
· Indoor activities are Laser Tag, Tortoise Time, themed parties such as magic shows, juggling shows, face painting, indoor “photo” scavenger hunt, etc.
· Outdoor activities include bonfires on the beach, hayride, catamaran cruise, outdoor carnival, kayak races, snorkeling, drive-in movies on the golf course in golf carts and dive-in movies in the pool, among many other seasonal and holiday-specific activities
· Video game room featuring Xbox® 360, Playstation® 3 and WiiTM with child-friendly games
· Outdoor sports court featuring basketball, floor hockey, dodgeball, hopscotch, and more
· Coconut Crew kids playhouse located outdoors adjacent to the sports court
· Monitored free play at the Family Entertainment Center, as an option to babysitting
Pools and Play Areas
· Five pools are on the premises; one specifically for families - the Active Pool with zero depth entry, and a children’s pool which is 8” deep
· Pool games are organized through Coconut Crew Camp, and can include: ring tosses, splash contests, underwater swim contests, underwater checkers, Discover Scuba, poolside basketball, dive-in movies and more
· Swimming lessons are available upon request for an additional fee
· Bicycle and tricycle rentals are on the premises. Helmets are complimentary and must be worn by all children under 16 years old
· Playground with a crushed rubberized surface for safety has a jungle gym, cargo net, slide, and more. Benches are nearby for parents to supervise in comfort
Junior Golf at The Breakers
· The Ocean Golf Course features Family Golf after 4 pm for at least one adult and one child of any relation. Adults pay a nominal fee for club rental, shoe rental and greens fee, and children 5-16 are free. Children’s club rentals are complimentary and children's tees and scorecards are available. The Ocean Course is recognized by US Kids Golf and Play Golf America as a Family Friendly Facility
· Junior Golf Academy instructors cover a variety of topics including full swing, chipping, putting and on-course play. Summer camps, after-school programs, holiday and spring break clinics are available
Daily Family Events and Activities For All Ages
A trio of weekend events designed for family participation is scheduled on Friday and Saturday, year round. On Friday nights from November through March, guests can join the activities team for a Bonfire on The Beach, a complimentary resort orientation for parents and children with refreshments and activities. Children also have the option to participate in Friday Night Camp year round. On Saturdays, Sports of All Sorts is a complimentary event competition that pits children against their parents in a featured game or sport. Saturday night’s Breakers Fun Zone features music, unlimited tokens in the resort’s 20-game arcade and counselors are on hand to play with the children.
A roster of Daily Activities ranging from hotel scavenger hunts, cooking demos, children’s story time, environmental and historic hotel tours, to family fun golf, guided snorkeling adventures and catamaran cruises enchant guests of ages and varying interests. A La Carte Family Time sets up parents and children to enjoy a private activity together at the multi-faceted Breakers – a snorkeling excursion, bike ride, croquet, kayaking trip, golf or tennis round-robin or even eco tour with the resort’s on-site environmentalist.
Dining
“At The Breakers, a pleasurable time eating out does not have to translate into ‘babysitter!’ ” affirms Kevin Walters, vice president of food & beverage for the resort, and the father of four kids. “In fact, guests thoroughly enjoy our restaurants with their children, as a wonderful backdrop for shared experiences,” he continued. Each of the resort’s distinct restaurant concepts – regardless of the level of formality – is family-friendly, thanks to its staff preparedness and responsiveness. The resort features a wide range of dining options from barefoot casual to elegant settings, including seven on-site and two situated off-property. Children three years of age and under eat free of charge when ordering from the children’s menu.
All restaurants have children’s menus with coloring books and crayons except for the resort’s signature restaurant L’Escalier, and the service team at each restaurant ensures that service, the atmosphere and food are tailored to the needs of the young, by offering the following:
· Incorporating organic ingredients to provide healthy yet tasty menu items for kids
· Modifying regular menu items, thanks to the flexibility of the kitchen
· Creating simple items (ex: a plain chicken breast or buttered noodles)
· Spacious and well-spaced table (depending on availability)
· Fast service, with the order for kids placed immediately – the provision of bread basket soon after seating, and appetizers served to parents while children enjoy the entrée
For the in between snack there is a full room service menu for children and The Breakers News and Gourmet for packaged items, fruit, and ice cream.
Founded in 1896 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Breakers Palm Beach is one of America’s legendary resort destinations. The 540-room, Italian Renaissance-style hotel resides on 140 acres of oceanfront property in the heart of Palm Beach. With the commitment of its original ownership, The Breakers has invested $250 million over the past decade in its ongoing revitalization and enhancement of its multi-faceted amenities – most recently, the dramatic transformation of shoreline into a luxurious beachfront experience. The resort’s timeless atmosphere has been renewed in a style of relaxed elegance, from its magnificent interiors to its artfully designed landscape. Highly personalized service indulges couples on a romantic getaway as much as it energizes multi-generational travelers with a family-minded philosophy. Capital expenditures averaging $20 million a year continue to be reinvested in the property for the long term, to ensure it remains appealing to future guests for decades to come.
The resort features 36 holes of championship golf, including The Ocean Course and The Breakers Rees Jones® Course; 10 tennis courts, a 20,000-square-foot luxury spa; a breathtaking oceanfront and Mediterranean-style beach club with a half-mile of private beach, featuring luxurious beach bungalows for daytime-rental, five pools and four whirlpool spas; a comprehensive Family Entertainment Center, an extensive program of family and children’s activities, and a variety of water sports. The Breakers also features a broad selection of distinctive restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining, as well as an array of on-site boutiques – all wholly owned and managed by the resort. The Breakers is recognized as a AAA Five Diamond property. For reservations or more information, contact the resort toll-free at 1-888-BREAKERS (273-2537), (561) 655-6611, visit www.thebreakers.com, or contact your travel professional.
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