By Terry Ward
Want to hear something wild? My younger sister, Janet, has four kids--and the oldest one is four years old! So when my newest niece, Avery, turned one month old in March, it was time to celebrate with her first weekend away at The Breakers Beach Bungalows & Resort in Palm Beach. The little one deserves to start her Florida life in style, I say--and The Breakers is certainly the most legendary property in the state. So we made the easy drive south from Tampa and settled in for the baby's first foray to the beach.
My mother was in Florida for a visit, too--all the better reason to make it a tri-generational weekend away. The last time my family had been together at The Breakers was several years back for a very formal family wedding in Florida. But we decided this weekend would be about casual hanging out, with a few luxe outings in the mix, too--and I love it that The Breakers Resort can cater to the casual Florida escape as perfectly as it does to a five star affair.
High tea in the Tapestry Room was the perfect way to spend a few hours one afternoon, chatting over mini lobster rolls and scones.
- Terry Ward
The view looking south from our balcony
- Terry Ward
When Avery grows up, she can play at the resort's Family Entertainment Center--The Breakers caters to kids with all sorts of organized fun.
- Terry Ward
Oceanfront room with an amazing Atlantic view.
- Terry Ward
Our oceanfront room easily accommodated the four of us (I had ordered a rollaway so my sister and mom could have their own beds, and it was very comfortable). The views from the balcony were just blue, blue, blue--my mother couldn't get over how beautiful the water is in Florida (she lives up north). And we could have easily spent our whole weekend just perched on the balcony, enjoying the sea breezes and watching dolphins frolic just offshore.
One afternoon, we opted for afternoon tea in the Tapestry Room, a dignified lounge area just off the hotel's main lobby that's hung with Flemish tapestries. The spread was delicious (my mother deemed the scones the best she'd ever tasted--she was trying to get the chef's recipe), and we had fun catching up while tucking into tasty treats like mini lobster rolls and quiches (they were almost too pretty to eat).
My mom was most interested in learning about the hotel's history and stately architecture.
- Terry Ward
My sister Janet and my newest niece, Avery Jane, relaxing in the room.
- Terry Ward
For dinner, we popped Avery into her car seat and hopped the resort's complimentary shuttle to Echo Restaurant, a stylish Asian-fusion spot nearby. And the next morning, the eating continued with an elegant breakfast in the sunny surrounds of the The Breakers Resort's Circle Room (which happens to be where the family wedding was hosted a few years back).
For my mother, it was really special learning about the hotel's history--the Breakers hotel in Palm Beach is more than a century old, and has long attracted a who's who of American and international elite. I think my sister really loved the chance just to hang out poolside and at the resort's pretty beachfront while Avery dozed in the shade. And for me, well, just getting the chance to spend time with three of my favorite ladies in such a special place will have me smiling for a long time (I did get to try a new water sport activity, too, standup paddleboarding!).
We're already planning our next mother-daughter-sister-niece escape (maybe we'll bring the other three little nieces next time so they can discover the relaxation of the Breakers beach bungalows too!).
The Afternoon Tea spread included mini lobster rolls and key lime pies the size of a silver dollar.
- Terry Ward
My sister and mom take a stroll around the property before breakfast.
- Terry Ward
