The Breakers Palm Beach — Restaurant in Palm Beach

Unfortunately, the Breakers is broken. While I grew up coming to the Breakers and it has always held a special place in my heart, my most recent stay will likely be my last. Aside from the fact that the place desperately needs a refresh, where the Breakers used to shine was with impeccable, predictably excellent service. That service is no more.

My fiancé and I booked a room to celebrate our engagement over Labor Day weekend. When we arrived, we checked in with a very unpleasant woman. We thought, gee - that's unusual. Must be an off day. Boy were we wrong.

We were upgraded to the Flagler Club for our engagement, which we were excited about! It has a lovely private lounge with food and drink service nearly all day, plus takeaway options. The staff there, with the exception of Brooke, were truly lovely. Other pros are excellent housekeeping.

But the beds. Are. Terrible. My fiancé woke up each morning with excruciating back pain. Now, the first day we thought maybe he just slept in a weird position. But by morning 3, when he needed to sleep on the chaise in the middle of the night, and after waking up 3 mornings in a row unable to move without ibuprofen, I knew something was wrong.

I went downstairs to the front desk to inform them of the issue, but was told that since I was in the Flagler Club, I needed to go back upstairs and deal with their "front desk" separately. Annoying, but fine. I did so, and spoke with Brooke. I informed her of the issue with the beds, and she completely lacked any empathy - not even a cursory "sorry this happened." Instead, she asked me what took so long to say something, and insisted that I should've said something right away. Well, we wanted to give the hotel the benefit of the doubt. Still, I said I was there to resolve the issue now. Brooke said they could remove the feather topper on the mattress, but that was it. I said how could it be that there's no other solution? In between rolling her eyes at me, she continued to tell me we would need to "test out" the mattress without the topper and that we would "go from there" if his back was still hurting. Since we were checking out the next day, I said it wouldn't be feasible because we need to fly home early and can't risk him not being able to move again when we need to catch a flight. Brooke insisted we would "just have to see," and when I pressed for additional solutions, she continued to repeat that she would "go from there" and that she would provide solutions if the issue happened again. Which solutions? We'll never know. She wouldn't say.

Frustrated, I went to the lobby again and asked for a manager. When I got in touch with one, he said he would move us to an Ocean View room that has a mattress different from the one in the Flagler Club. That was inconvenient, sure, but would provide a concrete solution to the mattress problem. He also said that for the trouble, the Breakers would discount the last night of the stay by 50%. That seemed agreeable, but we were informed later on that day after repacking our luggage in preparation of moving that the Ocean View rooms would be unavailable due to maintenance.

Instead, the manager offered to move me "back down to the room category I originally booked" but that even if we chose to just stay in our room, the discount would be honored. We stayed in the room, with some back relief, and what do you guess? No discount applied. I now just spoke with someone on the phone who told me someone will call me back tomorrow. And so the saga will continue.

Additionally, the Breakers is either severely understaffed or is simply coasting on reputation these days. One person was working the entire South Pool for three days. We always needed to hunt to find someone for drink orders or any other service. Guests needed to move heavy umbrellas and chairs themselves for shade. Garbage was left around the pool for hours before being picked up. No more eating by the pool, either. For the prices the resort commands, I really do expect a lot better. So...

My husband and I dined at The Circle at The Breakers for breakfast. My husband used to dine here with his grandparents often and, now that they have passed, he was eager to share this experience and embark upon a new tradition with me. After a decade together, we wedded during the unfortunate times of COVID and never got to have our dream reception. The desire to create that special moment has not subsided, and we have begun planning again. The Circle has topped our preferred venues.

Though the staff at the buffet was lazily negligent at the mere mention of strict dietary restrictions; our server was thoughtful, considerate and accommodating. Nevertheless, our lovely morning was ultimately cut short. Minutes after finishing breakfast, we both fell violently ill and rushed to the bathrooms. We spent the next hour or so in-and-out of your establishment's bathrooms, perhaps totaling five or six times; merely getting home after was a daunting challenge. "Food poisoning" would be an understatement, and a baffling jaw-dropper for a hotel of this caliber.

While I was in the bathroom ill and my husband between episodes, he approached the front desk and explained the situation. The lady at the front seemed compassionate then said, "I will call the restaurant and have them speak with you so that we can make sure this does not happen to others." Within minutes, as I traipsed ill from the bathroom, two men approached us. Without so much as an introduction, they mumbled a stoic, "Are you feeling okay?" Befuddled and unsure of who they were, I responded, "What?" To which they replied, "Do you need us to call an ambulance? Do you need emergency care?" These questions were repeated relentlessly over the next ten or fifteen minutes, as though questioning our motives or seeking to absolve oneself of legal action when all we sought was care, but first they demanded our identification. "Could we see your IDs?" My husband reached for his wallet, where he carries both our IDs. "His too!," they shouted. As I rushed back to the bathroom, my husband filled out whatever paperwork was handed to him and answered the redundancies thrown his way. They ultimately volunteered to comp the breakfast, which one would assume was an axiomatic given, that had long left our systems.

Ten days passed, during which we had to call and write perhaps a dozen times before our credit card finally showed a refund.

These two 'security' personnel were scythingly interrogative and demanding, but not in the slightest patient or sympathetic. It felt as though, looking youthful as we do, we were not taken seriously but rather cross-examined as criminals would be. As though because we did not fit the status quo crowd at The Breakers – older, mustily hubristic or business aloof – we were somehow not worthy of the same respect. We felt dehumanized and demeaned. While direly ill at our most sanctified establishment, we felt as though we had done something wrong – rather than understood and cared for. We made our way home, thankfully minutes at best, and spent the remainder of our day gravely sick; then the next day sleeping it off. And so our weekend, which was intended to be wondrous as well as restful after a week's work, ended up being traumatizing at best.

Your establishment is among the most breathtaking in the country with an atmosphere that, especially amidst the holiday season, is magical. We were saddened that the service we encountered did not match or suit its environment. We left feeling humiliated. What's worse is that, in the aftermath, you did not seem to care about our well-being or your negligence in the slightest. You sought to maintain your immaculate image and be rid of us. For a resort that rates 4.8 on here, you have proven to be a status quo hit with little humanity, soul or care. People are sheep and will rate based on popularity or prestige. Money is the lifeblood of your establishment, and it seems that's where your value framework...

Vibes: The Breakers is the definition of old-world luxury meets Palm Beach glam. From the moment you drive through the gates, you’re transported into a space that feels like a European palace on the Atlantic. Marble columns, crystal chandeliers, perfectly manicured lawns, and a sea view that sparkles like champagne — it’s a scene. The ambiance is undeniably elegant, exclusive, and almost cinematic. You’ll see everything from polished executives to well-heeled socialites casually sipping mimosas in designer resort wear. It gives off strong “you’ve arrived” energy.

Expensive – Yes, Be Ready: Let’s just say… this is not your average brunch spot. Everything here, from valet to a single espresso, carries a high price tag. It’s Palm Beach — and The Breakers is for those who don’t ask about the price. Think $45+ breakfasts, $25 valet, and $9 bottled water. You’re paying for the location, the prestige, and the experience — and they know it.

For Society Elites: If you’re not part of the old-money crowd, don’t worry — you’ll still be treated respectfully, but make no mistake: The Breakers is designed for the social elite. Think legacy families, CEOs, international guests, and power-lunchers who network with a view of the ocean. The place quietly signals wealth without having to say it. I attended a breakfast here sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, and the event felt polished, high-level, and strategically catered to professionals who value networking in a luxe setting.

Security: Security is tight, but professionally discreet. You’ll notice it if you’re paying attention — suited guards near entrances, valet staff who are particular about who pulls in, and hosts who are very clear about reservations. There’s a sense that they’re not just protecting the property — they’re protecting the brand and the people inside. It’s reassuring but also adds to the exclusivity.

Parking Issues: Parking is where the reality check hits. Valet is the default (and pricey), but during events or weekends, it can be a nightmare. Self-parking is practically non-existent, and even ride-shares are sometimes held up by the traffic flow at the main entrance. Locals know to arrive early or just Uber and avoid the hassle altogether.

Reservations Required – Often No Entry Without One: A huge point to note: The Breakers runs a tight reservation system. Especially for brunch or weekend dining, walking in without a reservation is almost pointless. I’ve seen guests turned away politely but firmly. Even just accessing some areas of the property may be restricted if you’re not a guest or don’t have a dining reservation — which can feel a bit too rigid at times, but again, it’s part of the exclusivity.

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Summary: The Breakers Palm Beach is a stunning, historic luxury resort that delivers on aesthetic and experience — if you can afford it and navigate the logistics. It’s not meant to be casual or spontaneous; it’s curated, reserved, and tailored to an elite crowd. If you go with the right expectations (and a reservation), it’s unforgettable. But be prepared for the price, the high-society energy, and the...