American Idyll: At Play in a Palm Beach Landmark

With soaring ceilings, Florentine frescoes, and a majestic oceanfront perch, it’s easy to see why The Breakers was once the Palm Beach playground of Astors and Vanderbilts. Originally built in 1896 by industrialist Henry Flagler, this Gilded Age grande dame easily could have become a dowager. But instead, The Breakers is that rarest of hybrids – a place that lovingly hones its heritage, while offering the best amenities of the modern age.

Stroll the resort’s 140 acres, and you’ll find four heated oceanfront pools, eight restaurants, and a 6,000-square-foot fitness center where you can cycle overlooking the surf. While the grounds alone are impressive, The Breakers’ breakout appeal is its embrace of families. Children are not merely tolerated, but celebrated, and that ethos is evident everywhere. Staff will happily baby-proof your room before your arrival, mend a torn teddy, or whip up a poolside birthday party. At mealtimes, each menu features kid-friendly fare (with junior prices to boot); and food allergies are handled with the utmost care.

For family fun, there are a dazzling array of activities, including ocean kayaking, banana boat rides, snorkeling, golf, and tennis. Tykes can also splash in the zero-entry Active Pool, or frolic on the half-mile private beach. In the unlikely event that you run out of ideas, there are at least a dozen daily organized options, such as scavenger hunts and beach bonfires, and Camp Breakers (for ages 3-12), where diversions include science experiments and creating glitter tattoos.

When the occasional shower hits, tots through teens can be easily consoled at the Family Entertainment Center, a 6,100-square-foot complex with a toddler play space, a massive aquarium, and an arcade. For pint-sized fashionistas, there are a handful of boutiques to browse (including Lilly Pulitzer, natch).

While it would seem as if children have their run of the place, it never feels over-run. That’s due in part to The Breakers’ palatial layout, but also in its thoughtful inclusion of adults-only zones, like a dedicated private pool, and a retro lounge that’s an after-hours hot spot. For those who seek even more sanctuary, slip into the spa, where you can spoon up gelato in one of three relaxation rooms before your treatment begins.

That nurturing spirit extends beyond guests as well. The Breakers has won awards for its environmental stewardship. Among its many “green” policies, guest rooms feature carbon-filtered faucets (rather than bottled water), lawns are watered through reverse-osmosis, and an organic garden supplies produce to the restaurants.

The Breakers is owned by Flagler’s descendants, who have lavished over $250 million on property upgrades and upkeep over the past ten years (it takes big spenders to maintain these big splendors). Given those deep generational roots, it’s no wonder why The Breakers understands the importance of family – and why yours will feel so at home here.

DETAILS: 1 South County Road, Palm Beach, FL 33480. Tel: 561.655.6611. www.thebreakers.com. Rates for a family of four currently start at $450/night and include a full breakfast buffet. From now through October, all meals for kids under 12 are free.