Awestruck by our surroundings, we relished the luxurious touches of being pampered in a poolside cabana, taking in sweeping ocean views from our sumptuously appointed suites, enjoying tapas in the lively lobby bar. Watching three people change out the hundreds of roses and other gorgeous flowers in the huge urn that greets every visitor, reminded us of the impeccable attention paid to every detail and the “tender loving care” that has lavished on both the building and it’s guests over 125 glorious years!
If you have been fortunate enough to stay at The Breakers yourself, you do understand, that this is not simply a grand hotel, it’s an American treasure!
Bruce Leet
P (561) 653-6607
C (561) 301-3698
One South County Road
Palm Beach, FL 33480
www.thebreakers.com
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Bruce joined The Breakers in April 1995 as National Sales Manager handling specifically the Insurance Market and Southeast. Prior to The Breakers, Bruce was recruited by The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs and was responsible for the northeast market. Prior to the Rancho Mirage, Bruce handled the Northeast Market with the Wigwam in Phoenix, AZ.
Cara Pregadio
P (561) 653-6602
C (561) 596-9173
One South County Road
Palm Beach, FL 33480
www.thebreakers.com
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Cara Pregadio, a native New Yorker, has been with The Breakers for over 25 years. She joined the sales team in May of 1995 as Sales Coordinator and created the Small Executive market. In 1998, Cara was promoted to National Sales Manager, where she was responsible for the Florida market. A few months later, the New York market was available, which she naturally transitioned into handling. Cara’s a passionate advocate for individuals with intellectual and development disorder and serves on the Best Buddies Palm Beach Advisory Board for the last 4 years.
The Breakers
When Henry Morrison Flagler first visited Florida in March 1878, he had accumulated a vast fortune with the Standard Oil Company (today Exxon Mobil) in Cleveland and New York as a longtime partner of John D. Rockefeller. In 1882, with the founding of the Standard Oil Trust, the then 52-year-old was earning a fortune and able to depend on an annual income of several million dollars a year from dividends. Impressed by Florida’s mild winter climate, Flagler decided to gradually withdraw from the company’s day-to-day operations and turn his vision towards Florida and his new role of resort developer and railroad king.
In 1885, Flagler acquired a site and began the construction of his first hotel in St. Augustine, Florida. Ever the entrepreneur, he continued to build south towards Palm Beach, buying and building Florida railroads and rapidly extending lines down the state’s east coast. As the Florida East Coast Railroad opened the region to development and tourism, Flagler continued to acquire or construct resort hotels along the route.
THE BEGINNINGS
It started as The Palm Beach Inn, Flagler’s second hotel in the area. Instead of asking for rooms at the main hotel, many regular Palm Beach guests asked for rooms ‘down by the breakers.’ The name stuck, and when Flagler doubled the size of The Palm Beach Inn for the 1901 season, he renamed it ‘The Breakers.’ Click here for the entire history; it’s a great read.
HISTORY, RETOLD
Don’t get us wrong. We love the stories, the impact, the history, the utter romance of this place... but this is not your grandmother’s hotel (though we’re sure she’d love a cocktail in a cabana). This stunning icon that looks out across the breakers to the sea spends an average of $25 million every year to maintain and update the hotel, a commitment made by the heirs to the original ownership. The posh rooms, the mix of historic and modern luxury, and the exciting retail and restaurants on property are outstanding.
DINING. WOW. JUST WOW.
There’s no shortage of unique, delectable menus and settings for guests to enjoy at The Breakers and its sister locations. From breakfast at the crown jewel of the hotel, The Circle, with its soaring 30-foot frescoed ceilings and eight oval murals depicting Renaissance landscapes, to the Flagler Steakhouse overlooking the panoramic views of the golf course, to the hip Seafood Bar with its bespoke aquarium bar (see photo below), you can’t go wrong. Whether you want lunch by the pool at The Beach Club, a late night cocktail at HMF, some kick-ass pasta at The Italian Restaurant, or a romantic trip into Palm Beach proper to dine at the Pan-Asian restaurant, Echo, or the American-inspired bistro, Henry’s Palm Beach... The Breakers accomplished chefs have got you covered. View their full array of dining options.
AGED TO PERFECTION COCKTAIL
Ingredients
- 2 oz Basil Haydens
- 1 oz honey
- ½ oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 1 oz Bordeaux wine
Muddle 1 maraschino cherry
Add all other ingredients to shaker
Add ice and shake vigorously
Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass
Garnish with orange peel and maraschino cherry skewer
I’LL MEET YOU IN PALM BEACH, DEAR.
With its expansive ocean views and bedecked spaces, The Breakers plays host to meetings that are inspired, engaging and decidedly at ease. From small, intensive work sessions to major corporate summits for hundreds, their portfolio of venues—each with its own architectural charms—and flexible floor plans give you license to host the event you’ve imagined. Meet with their team of event professionals and instantly sense The Breakers’ distinction: immense knowledge, discerning taste and unparalleled customer service. From logistics like seating and timing to creative direction and lighting, their experts handle every aspect with elegance and exactness. Oh, did we mention that the average tenure of the sales and conference team is an unprecedented 20 years?
Kelly McAlister, Maui Jim
Kelly McAlister of Maui Jim will be with us on the calls each week as judge and jury to see which planner really goes all-in with the theme. So engage, be creative, and have fun... and you may be the winner!
She’ll be doing some gifting that will surely lift your shelter-in-place spirits!
