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. The legendary oceanfront resort transformed from a grand dame of formality into one of the most timeless vacation destinations in the world, with an extraordinary accommodation to families.
Recognized by the Wall Street Journal as “Best Family Vacation,” 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 Camp satisfies today’s families who want their children to enjoy memorable experiences while on vacation. At the same time, adults have the option to savor indulgences on their own, such as The Spa at The Breakers or a romantic dinner at one of the resort’s restaurants.
According to Tricia Taylor, general manager of The Breakers and the mother of two children, “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 guest rooms, 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 guest room can be childproofed. Upon request, plastic bags are removed from garbage pails, horizontal surfaces are cleared, furniture corner guards are added; 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
- 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 or age-appropriate movies. All rooms have family-friendly cable channels such as The Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and the Cartoon Network™
- Welcome card from Coconut Crew 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 Camp
The Breakers Palm Beach offers a unique and captivating program that enables children to create memorable experiences. The Coconut Crew 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 Camp also features an engaging program of activities such as sporting activities to promote health and fitness, water games to enjoy the resort’s oceanfront location and various crafts to create long lasting memories.
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 1:6 counselor-to-child ratio for land activities and 1:4 ratio for swimming activities.
The Camp is scheduled and priced per session in half day sessions (9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. and 12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m.) or full day sessions (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.), as well as evening (5:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.), to be flexible for family/individual preferences.
Night Camp sessions begin 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.
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 complex 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
- Children’s movie theatre featuring entertaining films appropriate for all ages
- Indoor activities include Laser Tag, Tortoise Time, and 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 and Playstation® 3 with child-friendly games
- Outdoor sports court featuring basketball, floor hockey, dodgeball, hopscotch, and more
- Playground with child-safe surface; has a jungle gym, cargo net, slide, and more. Benches are nearby
- for parents to supervise in comfort
- Bicycle and tricycle rentals; helmets are complimentary and must be worn by all children under 16 years old.
- Monitored free play at the Family Entertainment Center, as an option to babysitting
Pool Areas and Beach Bungalows
- 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
- Luxury Beach Bungalows near the Active and Children’s Pools are available for day rentals. Families can enjoy each pool area and having the conveniences of a home, such as a refrigerator, TV, Playstation® 3 games, full private bath and a Bungalow Concierge to fulfill requests, whether it’s a new pool toy or an ice cream treat.
- 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; plus pool-side activities such as glitter tattoos, hair braiding, spin art and much more.
- Swimming lessons and water sport activities are available upon request for an additional fee
Junior Golf at The Breakers
- The Ocean Golf Course features Family Golf after 3:00 p.m. 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
Events designed for family participation are scheduled year round at The Breakers. A roster of Daily Activities & Entertainment enchants guests of all ages and varying interests, 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. On Friday nights during the winter season, guests can join the activities team for a Bonfire on The Beach, a complimentary activity for parents and children. Children also have the option to participate in Coconut Crew Camp during the day or at night, seven days a week, year round. À La Carte Family Time sets up parents and children to enjoy a private activity together at the multi-faceted resort – a snorkeling excursion, bike ride, kayaking trip, golf or tennis round-robin or even an eco-tour.
Dining
“At The Breakers, a pleasurable time eating out does not have to translate into ‘babysitter!’ ” affirms Nick Velardo, director of food & beverage – restaurants, and the father of two boys. “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 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, and the 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
- Customizing menus to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions
- Fast service, with kids’ orders placed immediately so they can have their entrees while parents enjoy leisurely, multi-course service.
For the in between snack, there is a full in-room dining menu for children and The Breakers News and Gourmet for packaged items, fruit and ice cream.
About The Breakers Palm Beach
One of America’s legendary resort destinations, this 540-room, Italian Renaissance-style hotel resides on 140 acres of oceanfront property in the heart of Palm Beach. The Breakers was founded in 1896 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and continues to thrive independent of chain affiliation. Renowned for its gracious service, the resort indulges its clientele, whether couples on a romantic getaway, multi-generational travelers on a family vacation or large gatherings in celebration. With the commitment of its long-standing ownership, descendants of founder Henry Flagler, The Breakers invests $20 million each year in the property’s ongoing enhancement to ensure it remains appealing to future guests. Following a comprehensive ten-year $250 million revitalization, its timeless atmosphere -- from its magnificent interiors to its artfully designed landscape -- has been renewed in a style of relaxed elegance.
A multi-faceted destination, The Breakers features 36 holes of championship golf, including the Ocean Course and The Breakers Rees Jones® Course; 10 Har-Tru tennis courts; luxury spa; a breathtaking oceanfront with a half-mile of private beach, Mediterranean-style beach club, as well as luxury beach bungalows for daytime-rental, five pools, four whirlpool spas and a variety of water sports; a Family Entertainment Center and an extensive program of family and children’s activities. Nine distinctive restaurants, as well as an array of on-site boutiques, are all owned and managed by the resort. The Breakers is recognized as a AAA Five Diamond property and has earned numerous accolades for its commitment to the environment, community service and the quality of life it provides to its employees. 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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