Travel Guide: The Breakers Palm Beach

A deep dive and review of our stay at The Breakers Palm Beach. Our seven day travel guide and an extensive list of restaurants, shopping, activities, and more!

Today's post is long overdue! I've had this one in my drafts since last July and I just kept adding to it, so buckle up because today is the day that I take you to the ever exquisite Palm Beach.

Michael and I try to get away to celebrate our wedding anniversary every June and The Breakers Palm Beach was our pick for year six. Quite frankly, it's my pick for this year too! The charming little island had everything we wanted... Beautiful beaches, amazing restaurants, incredible shopping, great walking/biking, fun art galleries, and stylish people left, right, and center! Being there for a full seven days we were able to cover a majority of the island, which is exactly what we were hoping for. Below I've shared our travel itinerary as well as a master list of Palm Beach favorites. Needless to say, we are already planning a trip back!

The front drive of The Breakers hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.
The Breakers hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.

Travel Guide: Seven Days in Palm Beach

DAY ONE:

  • Travel/Check in - Due to scheduling we had to fly into Miami and then drive about 45 minutes to Palm Beach. It wasn't bad, but would definitely fly directly into Palm Beach International if possible.
  • Explore the resort/hotel - If you are staying at The Breakers, this is quite fun! Between the shops in the resort and the gorgeous architecture you could easily spend all afternoon exploring.
  • Dinner at LoLa 41 - Gives you time to check out the stunning White Elephant hotel. A gorgeous setting and you must get the Lola Chopped Salad and fries for the table.
  • Seafood Bar - If you aren't ready to call it a day just yet, head to Seafood Bar in The Breakers. The aquarium bar alone is worth the stop!
The Breakers hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.
White Elephant Hotel restaurant patio in Palm Beach, Florida.

DAY TWO:

  • Breakfast in The Circle - The most elegant breakfast room! We aren't big breakfast people, but still loved stopping in here for some fruit and pastries. They really go all out for Sunday Brunch, so it is not to be missed if you're in town that day.
  • Lounge at the beach/pool - The most decadent beach/pool experiences happen at The Breakers. We kept to the quieter pools or beach, but there seemed to be plenty for kids as well. You can also reserve private poolside bungalows.
  • Lunch at The Beach Club Restaurant - The Beach Club Restaurant sits right off of the pool area and they actually have a really good menu. The Spinach Hummus, Margherita Focaccia Pizza, and Kale & Quinoa Salad were our go-to of the week. Let me tell you, I dream about the Kale & Quinoa Salad! So much so that we tried to recreate it when we got home.
  • Lounge at the beach/pool
  • Dinner at Café Boulud - This was a favorite of the week. The menu is seasonal and ever changing so what we had will probably not be available now, but the white asparagus soup, spirulina pasta, and desserts were to die for. I mean, you know I love a place that gives you mini madeleines with your check.
The Circle breakfast room at The Breakers hotel Palm Beach, Florida.
Kale and quinoa salad at The Breakers Palm Beach Florida.

DAY THREE:

  • Walk down South Ocean Boulevard - We loved getting up earlier and exploring the island. So many gorgeous homes to admire on this walk!
  • Sant Ambroeus for coffee and pastries - Our love affair with Sant Ambroeus began right here. The Breakers sits a half a mile away from the restaurant and it made for a great stop on our morning walk. Some days were a hotter than others, but we love a good walk so it was right up our alley. They have an amazing breakfast menu, but we also loved popping in the coffee bar to grab coffee, juice, and pastries.
  • Take in the art scene - Art is having a moment in Palm Beach, so take this time to soak up all of the inspiration. Some on our ever growing list include: The Society of the Four Arts, Sotheby’s Palm Beach Gallery, Paula Cooper Gallery, Lehmann Maupin, Gavlak,  Acquavella Galleries, Pace Gallery, and Levy Gorvy gallery.
  • Spa - The Breakers has incredible spa services. I really regret not taking more advantage of this, but in a true rookie move I forgot to book ahead.
  • Dinner at LaGoulue - Another New York transplant with a perfect atmosphere! If you love French food, you'll want to add this one to your list.
White home on Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach, Florida.
Pink Sant Ambroeus coffee cup in Palm Beach, Florida.

DAY FOUR:

  • Grab a smoothie at Celis - This is a cute juice/smoothie shop located in Royal Poinciana Plaza (same area as Sant Ambroeus). A great stop when you're craving a fresh juice or smoothie!
  • Lounge at the beach/pool
  • Shop at Royal Poinciana Plaza - We loved spending time here. Some of the best shops were in this plaza! It is home to Alice & Olivia, Theory, Frame, Cartier, Hermes, LoveShackFancy, Saint Laurent, Zimmerman, and more. You must stop in Assouline and pick up the Palm Beach book, Lingua Franca for a special custom cashmere, and spend some time in the contemporary art galleries.
  • Dinner at Sant Ambroeus - Dinner in this gorgeous place is a true experience. The restaurant design is captivating, wait staff impressive, and food beyond delicious. Start with the Caprese and Anguria e Feta. Followed by the Spaghetti Pomodoro e Basilico, Linguine Cacio e Pepe, and Paccheri Strofinati (my favorite!). Whatever you do, don't skip dessert. We loved the Key Lime Meringue, Principessa Cake, Sant Ambroeus Cake, and any and all gelato flavors. Basically what I'm saying is if there is a time to order the entire menu, it is here!
Light pink Palm Beach Assouline book on coffee table.
Pasta at Cafe Boulud in Palm Beach, Florida.

DAY FIVE:

  • Take a bike ride - There is nothing better than an early morning bike ride around the island. Ride from The Breakers down to the Palm Beach Lake Trail for a great ride.
  • Lounge at the beach/pool
  • Shop on Worth Avenue - Four blocks of upscale shopping? Count me in! Not only is this home to some of the best shops, but it's also just an incredibly beautiful place to spend your afternoon. A few favorites include Aerin, Stubbs & Wootton, Maje, Sandro, Ralph Lauren, Intermix, Salvatore Ferragamo, Saks Fifth, Tiffany & Co, Chanel, Gucci, Lilly Pulitzer (when in PB!), and much more.
  • Dinner at Pizza Al Fresco - Located right on Worth Avenue, this charming laid back spot is perfect after a day of shopping. You can't go wrong with the Margherita pizza!
  • HMF - If you aren't ready to call it a day, head down to HMF (right off of the lobby of The Breakers) for music, nibbles, and the best people watching.
Lauren Cermak walking down Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida.
HMF bar at The Breakers Palm Beach hotel in Florida.

DAY SIX:

  • Breakfast in The Circle 
  • Play tennis or golf - Whether you're a pro or beginner, The Breakers has you covered.
  • Go vintage/antique shopping - As you can imagine, Palm Beach is home to some of the best antique and vintage shops. Some highlights include House of Lavande, Circa Who, Church Mouse, Cashmere Buffalo, and FS Henemader.
  • Dinner at Swifty's - Break out your most colorful outfit for this one! Swifty's is a part of the colorful Colony Hotel. Take a minute to admire the hotel's quintessential Palm Beach design before heading to dinner. Request a table alfresco so you can enjoy the impressive hanging garden. Order the Crushed Avocado, Roasted Cauliflower, and pretty much any fish dish!
The lobby at The Colony hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.
Lauren Cermak sitting in The Colony hotel lobby in Palm Beach, Florida.

DAY SEVEN:

  • Take a walk or bike ride to Worth Avenue - It is a little over a mile to walk from The Breakers to Worth Avenue and I highly recommend doing it on your last day. The perfect way to get one last look at the gorgeous homes, shops, and scenery.
  • Lounge at the beach/pool 
  • Dinner at Sant Ambroeus - I mean, after our first meal there we had to end the trip with our favorite spot.
The front drive of The Breakers Palm Beach at night with lights on palm trees.

A Palm Beach Master List

WHERE TO STAY:

  • The Breakers - We had heard amazing things about The Breakers and it was the perfect pick for a full week of resort style R&R. There is much to do here and, honestly, you wouldn't have to leave the resort if you didn't want to. It is definitely our first choice on the island!
  • The White Elephant - At the last minute, we decided to fly in a day earlier than initially planned and The White Elephant still had rooms available, so we actually stayed here for a night before moving to The Breakers for the week. It is probably the newest hotel on the island and is a luxury boutique hotel, so think small yet special. This place is beyond chic. I dare say the most aesthetically pleasing hotel we have ever stayed in. If you were going for a few days and didn't necessarily care for the resort feel, I'd stay here.
  • The Colony Hotel - If you've ever looked into Palm Beach, you've seen pictures of this cute pink hotel. It is a Palm Beach icon! Like The White Elephant, it is a luxury boutique hotel, so naturally it is much smaller than The Breakers. Location wise it sits closer to Worth Avenue and a bike ride/golf cart ride to the beach. If you aren't really a beach person and more in it for the pool, shopping, and restaurants this would be a great choice for a long weekend.
  • The Brazilian Court - This hotel really peaked our interest. Since it houses Cafe Boulud, we got to explore it a little bit before dinner and found it very elegant and charming. The Spanish Colonial architecture, courtyards, and decor are simply stunning. They only have 80 rooms, so it is a much more intimate feel.
  • The Four Seasons - We never went down to this one during our stay, but we did look into it when researching for our trip. The beachfront hotel recently underwent renovations so it is very aesthetically pleasing! We ultimately counted it out since it sits further down the island and preferred to be walking distance of shopping and restaurants.

 

The lobby of The Breakers hotel in Palm Beach Florida.

WHERE TO EAT:

  • Sant Ambroeus - If you read the seven day itinerary, you know how much we adore this place. You truly can't go wrong here for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or all of the above! Some of our favorites include the Raspberry Croissants, Caprese, Anguria e Feta, Spaghetti Pomodoro e Basilico, Linguine Cacio e Pepe, Paccheri Strofinati (my favorite!), Key Lime Meringue, Principessa Cake, Sant Ambroeus Cake, and any and all gelato flavors. Michael also swears that they have the best coffee he's ever had.
  • Café Boulud - A close second to Sant Ambroeus, we loved the White Asparagus Soup, Spirulina Pasta, and basically any of their desserts.
  • Le Bilboquet - We instantly regretted not making time to try Le Bilboquet on our first trip here. We have since been to the one in Atlanta and it was divine! The Cajun Chicken is a must.
  • La Goulue - The atmosphere here was so cozy, I just wish I had ordered the Tournedos Au Poivre Vert. I admittedly was overwhelmed by the menu before ordering, ha.
  • Swifty's - Such a darling place! Request a table alfresco so you can enjoy the impressive hanging garden. Oder the Crushed Avocado, Roasted Cauliflower, and pretty much any fish dish!
  • Pizza Al Fresco - The more casual on the list, but just as delicious. Plus, it is an Aerin Lauder favorite and you know she knows Palm Beach.
  • Lola 41 - Another great outdoor dining situation. Definitely get the Lola Chopped Salad and fries for the table.
  • Renato's - We have this elegant old-world Italian spot on our list for next time. It looked very romantic!
  • Several others that we heard were good but didn't try were Cucina, Buccan, Bice, The Honor Bar, and Henry's.

 

Gelato cart outside of Sant Ambroeus restaurant in Palm Beach Florida.

WHERE TO SHOP:

  • Worth Avenue - Four blocks of upscale shopping. Not only is this home to some of the best shops, but it's also just an incredibly beautiful place to spend your afternoon. A few favorites include Aerin, Stubbs & Wootton, Maje, Sandro, Ralph Lauren, Intermix, Salvatore Ferragamo, Saks Fifth, Tiffany & Co, Chanel, Gucci, Lilly Pulitzer (when in PB!), and much more.
  • Royal Poinciana Plaza - Home to Alice & Olivia, Theory, Frame, Cartier, Hermes, LoveShackFancy, Saint Laurent, Zimmerman, and more. You must stop in Assouline and pick up the Palm Beach book and Lingua Franca for a special custom cashmere..
  • The Breakers - The resort has some great shopping, including Ralph Lauren, Lilly Pulitzer, a swimwear shop, beach shop, sports pro shop, and more!
  • The Square in West Palm Beach - We didn't venture off of the island, but if you want more shopping you can head across the bridge to West Palm. The Square is home to shops like Anthropologie, H&M, Krewe, Lululemon, Restoration Hardware, and West Elm.
Royal Poinciana Plaza in Palm Beach Florida.

WHAT TO DO:

  • Spa - The Breakers spa is top of the line in facials, massages, pedicures, and more. Just be sure to book ahead.
  • Beach/pool - Whether you are a beach or pool person, Palm Beach has it all. I'm partial to the chair side service at The Breakers!
  • Art Galleries - Art is having a moment in Palm Beach, so take this time to soak up all of the inspiration. Some on our ever growing list include: The Society of the Four Arts, Sotheby’s Palm Beach Gallery, Paula Cooper Gallery, Lehmann Maupin, Gavlak,  Acquavella Galleries, Pace Gallery, and Levy Gorvy gallery.
  • Tennis or Golf - Whether you are a pro or a beginner The Breakers has lessons and more!
  • Walk or bike - Palm Beach is the perfect backdrop for long walks or bike rides. We loved walking Ocean Boulevard, Lake Trail, and to Worth Avenue.

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I can’t wait to hear what you think of this Travel Guide: The Breakers Palm Beach! If it was helpful, be sure to leave a review in the comments below or tag @bylaurencermak on social!

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Welcome!

I'm Lauren, creator here at by Lauren Cermak! My husband Michael and I live in Knoxville, Tennessee. I'm into classic style, British baking shows, TBR piles, and pretty finds. My motto is dress like Kate, work like Reese, and entertain like Martha. If you get that, consider us quick friends!

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