A meticulously tailored, tropical fairytale nestled on a 16-mile barrier island in southern Florida, there is no place more ritzy, no place more posh, and no place more opulent than Palm Beach. This bubble of luxury is one of the most concentrated areas of wealth on the planet. However Palm Beach isn't just residency for those whose happily-ever-after is more diamonds and caviar, but also a bucket list travel destination for those who love all things design and history.
On a barrier island where turquoise tides lap manicured lawns and yachts bob like polished pearls, one resort reigns supreme - The Breakers. More than just a luxury hotel, The Breakers is a living, breathing testament to the excesses of the Gilded Age and the refinement of modern hospitality, where every detail feels curated and every wave sounds like an invitation.
In the late 1800's word of the area’s beautiful beaches and massive coconut groves spread northward and by 1880 the first hotel, the Coconut Grove House, opened to tourists. In1896 Henry M. Flagler opened the Florida East Coast Railroad. The railroad tracks crossed Lake Worth so trains could deliver their passengers directly to the Flagler System hotels, which included the Palm Beach Inn directly on the ocean. The inn was renamed The Breakers, because so many guests wrote asking for a room “down by the breakers." What began as a grand winter retreat quickly became the place to see and be seen, long before influencers and hashtags dictated travel trends.
If history loves drama, The Breakers has written an epic trilogy. The original resort burned down - twice. Each time, it rose more lavish than before, culminating in the 1926 Mediterranean-Renaissance masterpiece that still stands today. Architects Schultze & Weaver modeled the hotel after Rome’s Villa Medici, importing Italian artisans whose frescoes and vaulted ceilings rival European palaces.
This wasn’t mere construction. It was theatrical spectacle in stone, plaster, and paint, inviting Europe’s grandest ballrooms to relocate to Florida’s beachfront. The result? A lobby stretching 200 feet, towering palms whispering in the bougainvillea-framed breeze, and a sense that you’ve entered a grand salon that is timeless and alive.
Still family-owned since 1896, The Breakers is one of fewer than 1,000 American businesses older than a century still led by the original family line.
That consistency shows in the details: the lush gardens that seem hand-trimmed by time, the staff’s seamless choreography of service, and the way every corner feels both impossibly grand and warmly familiar. There’s a generous spirit here: stewards who remember names, traditions that feel sacred, and a brand of hospitality that other hotels should study.
The story begins as soon as you turn down 1 South County Road, lined with palms that tower into the sky, The Breakers let's you know upon entrance that it is special. Pulling into the resort's portico is a bustling affair in itself. Valets happily attend to each guest as they pull up and you enter this castle by the sea, you understand why it retains its reputation as you enter the lobby.
The lobby of The Breakers Palm Beach is one of the most breathtaking entrances in American hospitality—a grand space that captures the glamour and romance of Palm Beach’s Gilded Age. Stretching an impressive 200 feet in length, the lobby was completed when the resort reopened in 1926 and was inspired by the elegance of Italian Renaissance palaces. Towering Roman arches, marble columns, and a dramatic barrel-vaulted ceiling painted with intricate classical frescoes immediately draw the eye upward, where the work of dozens of Italian artisans still dazzles nearly a century later.
Stepping inside feels less like entering a hotel and more like arriving in a seaside palace. Sunlight pours through tall arched windows, illuminating plush seating areas arranged beneath ornate chandeliers and framed by polished wood, marble, and bronze details.
At the center of the room, an ever-changing floral display—created weekly by the resort’s design studio—adds a fresh burst of color and fragrance, becoming an iconic photo backdrop for visitors from around the world. Guests pause here to take in the sweeping architecture, sip coffee, or simply watch the gentle procession of Palm Beach life unfold. More than just a passageway, the Breakers lobby serves as the heart of the resort.
Soon you will find this opulent displays of beauty and comfort exist in each corridor you turn down. From the Palm Court where you can retreat and sip your morning coffee while watching the resort come to life to The Circle where breakfast is served. Each day guests enjoy a lavish breakfast in the circular ballroom, but Sunday Brunch steals the show. Featuring an extensive buffet of fresh seafood - caviar, lobster, sushi, hand-carved meats, artisanal cheeses, and decadent pastries, complemented by made-to-order omelets and signature breakfast creations, guests can sip on champagne or craft cocktails while enjoying live harp music and the stunning ocean views visible through floor-to-ceiling windows. Sunday Brunch at The Breakers has become a celebrated weekly ritual for both locals and visitors seeking a quintessential Palm Beach experience.
With poolside lounging, beachside cabanas, a highly rated spa, a 6,000 foot fitness center, walking trails, shopping, and plenty of cafes and restaurants, The Breakers makes it hard to leave the hotel during your stay, and we suspect many guests don't. They retreat into this fortress of lush comfort and breathe in the beauty.
However, when visiting this tiny kingdom by the sea, you must dine. Palm Beach’s culinary scene has been gaining international attention, with several restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide for quality and value - Konro in West Palm Beach is the premier, newly recognized one-MICHELIN-star restaurant in the area. The region also boasts several highly regarded recommended spots and Bib Gourmand winners, including aioli, Palm Beach Meats, buccan, Coolinary, and Stage Kitchen and Bar - underscoring the region’s evolving food landscape.
Buccan is a standout in downtown Palm Beach from acclaimed Chef Clay Conley. Known for its creative small-plates and progressive American cuisine, this stylish bistro offers an adventurous menu ideal for sharing and sampling diverse flavors in a lively but refined setting.
For classic French flair and a touch of glamour, La Goulue Palm Beach is a perennial favorite among locals and visitors alike. Its elegant ambiance and sophisticated French dishes make it perfect for special occasions or a romantic evening.
If you’re exploring Palm Beach’s historic hotels, Swifty’s at The Colony Hotel is an iconic choice. With a charming poolside patio, it’s great for brunch, lunch or a cocktail.
For relaxed yet refined dining, Henry’s Palm Beach at The Breakers offers elevated comfort food, everything from Dover sole to gourmet burgers.
The Polo Room blends Argentinian-inspired plates with an upscale cocktail experience for diners seeking something different.
Estiatorio Milos in West Palm Beach delivers Aegean sophistication with pristine fish flown in daily from Mediterranean waters—and attracts the kind of A-list clientele who value exceptional food and discretion in equal measure.
Le Bilboquet in Palm Beach is a chic French bistro and stylish dining destination tucked into a verdant courtyard just off Worth Avenue. The ambiance—accented by exotic palms and an oak and beechwood bar with a French pewter countertop—makes it a popular spot for leisurely lunches, elegant dinners, and celebratory gatherings.
Worth Avenue remains the beating heart of Palm Beach's social scene, where approximately 250 high-end boutiques, jewelers, and art galleries line four blocks from Lake Worth to the Atlantic. Beyond the expected luxury names - Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton—the real treasures hide in the pedestrian passageways designed by Addison Mizner, intimate Mediterranean-style courtyards where locals shop. BURU Boutique has recently opened on Worth, bringing the brand’s relaxed-luxury, small-batch women’s fashion to the island’s storied shopping scene. The Los Angeles–based label started by University of Alabama graduate Morgan Hutchinson, known for its stylish yet effortless pieces and responsible production, celebrated its spring launch at the new store in 2026.
Another Palm Beach shopping destination, Royal Poinciana Plaza, home to Zimmermann, Kirna Zabete, La Coqueta, La Ligne, LoveShackFancy, Stoney Clover Lane, Zadig & Voltaire, and more.
Beyond dining and shopping, Palm Beach's cultural scene adds depth to the fantasy. The Norton Museum of Art showcases American, European, and contemporary collections. For a serene escape, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach offers 16 acres of tranquil landscapes - a serene contrast to area's social intensity. The gardens at the Four Arts Library date back to the 1930s, and include Chinese- and Spanish-themed planted areas. You can also enjoy screenings of classic films in the gardens. You can explore the historic Flagler Museum, Henry Flagler’s opulent Gilded Age winter home turned cultural destination. Architectural history is on display at the Paramount Theatre Building, a Moorish- and Spanish-inspired landmark from the 1920s. For interactive learning and family experiences, the Cox Science Center and Aquarium offers hands-on exhibits alongside marine life explorations, while nearby Palm Beach Zoo features wildlife habitats and conservation programs. Outdoor culture thrives too, rent bicycles to explore the Lake Trail, a scenic path along the Intracoastal where mansions and mega-yachts provide constant eye candy. Markets in West Palm Beach are also worth the outdoor excursion. While annual events and design showcases celebrate local creativity and community life.
Each year the Kips Bay Decorator Show House draws design lovers from near and far with its interior creativity. The Kips Bay Decorator Show House brings together top designers to transform one or more beautiful homes into immersive showcases of creativity, style, and innovation. In 2026, for the first time, the ninth annual Show House spans two properties - a stunning mid-century waterfront Intracoastal residence at 3410 North Flagler Drive and the charming Palm Cottage across the street - each reimagined by a roster of leading design talents who reinterpret Palm Beach’s signature mix of bold color, botanical motifs, and tropical elegance. The event offers ticketed tours that inspire design lovers and benefits the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. This year the event even features Alabama designer Danielle Balanis with her Mame Dennis inspired bedroom and bathroom.
Departing from the Sailfish Marina or along the Palm Beach Inlet, anglers can quickly reach the Gulf Stream, a prime fishing corridor known for sailfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and even blue marlin. Experienced local captains provide top-tier equipment and insider knowledge, whether you’re trolling offshore for trophy catches or bottom fishing for snapper and grouper. With turquoise water, warm sea breezes, and the iconic Palm Beach skyline in the distance, a day on a charter boat is as much about the luxurious coastal setting as it is about the thrill of the catch.
In most fairytales, time is a fragile thing, threatened by midnight bells. In Palm Beach, however, time softens rather than expires. Afternoon sunlight filters through palm fronds in dappled patterns that feel almost deliberate, as though nature itself is mindful of aesthetics. Even the breeze seems to understand pacing, arriving precisely when needed to lift a linen curtain or cool sun-kissed skin.
As twilight settles, the Atlantic becomes a sheet of hammered silver. Lights flicker in hidden courtyards. Music drifts faintly from distant verandas. Palm Beach at night feels suspended between reality and reverie.
Perhaps that is the truest magic of Palm Beach: a reminder that beauty can be a way of life. That sometimes the fairytale is not about escaping the world, but about refining it.
In this kingdom of coral sands and gilded light, happily-ever-after is a daily ritual - sunrise over the Atlantic, lunch beneath striped umbrellas, twilight beneath chandeliers.
For reservations thebreakers.com.
On a barrier island where turquoise tides lap manicured lawns and yachts bob like polished pearls, one resort reigns supreme - The Breakers.