Stayed June 8-12 on Flager Level. We were treated outstanding. Hotel was beautiful and staff was incredible. Weather was not great but that was not their fault. Food was expensive but wonderful. Had a great time and plan on retunring one day.

We got a room upgrade even though we found a good price on the Internet. The staff was helpful and friendly and check-in was a breeze. The pool areas and beach are wonderful. Lots of things to see, shops, many different restaurants and a nice spa. The grounds are pristine.

The only drawback are the clientele, which tend to be the loud and ultra- annoying New York/New Jersey types (mostly snowbirds). But there were lots of families too. We would definitely go back.

My fiance and I came back from the Breakers two weeks ago. We had a great stay. We appreciate good service and got good service, hands down. We only stayed two nights as part of a 4-day visit to Florida from New York City. Our room as an ocean front room (that we must have been upgraded to because of low-season). The Breakers almost literally touches the ocean, and when we opened the balcony doors, all you could see was the ocean itself. This was the most extraordinary part of my experience at the Breakers.

The first night we had room service, which for about $120 for two was excellent and I think fairly valued. The next day we had lunch at the pool which was quite expensive ($75 for 2) and nothing special (foodwise). The pool area itself was wonderful. From the hotel, we were able to walk into downtown Palm Beach (via the beach) and it was a nice hike/long walk.

The hotel lobby is extraordinary and it's a wondeful experience just walking around the place. If you're looking for a place that defines luxory, this is it.

As for service, --and I've read several recent bad reviews--contrariwise we had great service. I will say that the lunch at the pool was expensive and the food not worth it; in fact, I had a hair in a side order of salad dressing. BUT I was in such a great mood from my stay, that I simply politely asked the waitress if she could just bring another side order. In the process, I incidentally raised the fact of the "hair." Next thing we knew, the manager was coming over and offering us free desserts and coffee. This was unexpected and a pleasant surprise. Both my fiance and I were put into a great mood by the hotel. True there was a hair nonetheless in the salad dressing.

Regardless of this little incident, we found the service at the hotel generally exceptional. No one ever said "no" to us about anything.

About us, my fiance and I are into enjoying ourselves at resorts like the Breakers. We're both in our 30's (early and late 30's) and generally desire upscale establishments. I believe that we paid about $325/night for the room. All I can say is that we both agreed that if we could live at the Breakers for one or two weeks each year, to bridge the gap between spring and summer, or winter and spring, that it would be a wonderful thing.

AS FINAL PARTING COMMENTARY, I (1) STRONGLY RECOMMEND STAYING AT THE BREAKERS- IF MONEY IS AN ISSUE, STAY IN THE OFF SEASON (SPRING/SUMMER) WHEN THE ROOMS ARE CHEAPER; (2) ALTHOUGH THE POOL AREA IS A GREAT SCENE, IF MONEY IS AN ISSUE, CONSIDER AVOIDING EATING BRUNCH AT THE POOL--THE FOOD IS NOT CHEAP; (3) IF ROMANCE IS AN ISSUE, GET ROOM SERVICE--WE BOTH FELT IT WAS WORTH THE PRICE. IF BUDGETING FOR THE HOTEL, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT YOU'RE LIKELY TO EAT EXPENSIVE MEALS THERE.

My husband stayed on the Flagler concierge level (6th & 7th floors) for 5 days in May, 2005 and had a wonderful time. This level is sort of like a mini-hotel within the Breakers. I had told the hotel we were celebrating our 10th anniversary and there was a bottle of champagne waiting in our room when we arrived. The Flagler concierge assistance was useful & friendly (more so than the concierge in the main hall) and the breakfasts, snacks, drinks were available on the 6th floor in a relaxed environment. Our room with a partial ocean view was lovely (yellows, golds, pinks) with a nice marble bathroom. I liked how they had installed a TV speaker above the bed and in the bathroom so it was easy to hear no matter where you were. There was plenty of closet space with drawers and a good desk area.

I chose to stay on the Flagler level to be away from any potential conference folks which had been a negative comment from previous reviews of the Breakers. There happened to be a large conference at the hotel during the first part of our stay and it was much less crowded (pools, beach, hotel) with their departure. To be honest, I was very glad not to be amongst them and the extra cost was worth it to us.

We ate at the Flagler Steakhouse one night and both of us thought our steaks were delicious as well as properly prepared. Service was good as well - the hotel will drive you over to the restaurant. We also ate lunch at the pool grill by the north beach access - it was o.k. and the servers were nice. Ate at Renato's off Worth Avenue our first night; good food & service but didn't think Worth Avenue was all that wonderful. Ate lunch somewhere at CityPlace in West Palm with a friend which was good but nothing fabulous or unique. Found TooJay's in Palm Beach not far from the hotel, a great deli, since we were in the mood for an easy lunch.

We did use the self-parking at the front of the hotel to the extent possible but there isn't a great deal of it, as another reviewer noted, but worth a shot since valet is $20/day. Other reviewers had mentioned the lack of any available pool chairs with towels "marking" those taken - when we were there, there was staff available to take your towel to your chair which may have eliminated those folks staking out their chair in the morning, even though they wouldn't be in it. We never lacked for space at any pool or the beach (except during our first day, which was the last of the big conference while we were there; the beach was packed). One note: The Breakers is starting the "re-development" of the area to the south so that portion of the property & associated beach is off-limits.

In all, the Breakers was a lovely vacation for us (how could it not be for our 1st time without children in 3 years!) and we didn't have any major negative experiences. Things are expensive ($25 for two pool-side drinks) but you are in Palm Beach so we weren't really surprised. Enjoy!