Break Out

By: Barbara Perkins
It is impossible to review the East Coast’s finest resorts and spas without giving props to the venerable Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Fla.

Built by oil magnate Henry Flagler, The Breakers is a tony enclave famous for its Italian Renaissance style and glamour. A certified national treasure situated on 140 acres of oceanfront property, it became an instant classic when it opened in 1896.

From its palm-tree lined entrance to its world-class dining, tennis courts and par-70 Ocean Course (Florida’s first 18-holer and one of the most enjoyable resort courses in the kingdom of golf), The Breakers exudes distinction. Here, poolside cabanas replete with personal concierge service can certainly take the edge off a stressful day. But don’t just sit there. Take time as we did, and go live it up at the resort’s in-house spa.

Refined and classic yet comfortable, the resort’s easygoing atmosphere extends to the in-house spa. Set beyond a private courtyard, slightly back from its oceanfront location, The Breakers spa includes a fitness center with full ocean views, cardiovascular/weight training room, whirlpool spa, outdoor lap pool and separate ladies’ and mens’ dressing rooms—each with their own steam rooms and saunas.

Blackberry, Androids and iPhones are successfully silenced here, while a slightly ho-hum layout is amped up by a feverishly friendly staff at the front desk. Before landing in one of the 17 private treatment rooms, we suggest following the lead of other well-heeled guests and locals by enjoying the relaxation lounge that brims with real, honest-to-goodness print magazines and oodles of healthy treats.

The spa services lineup includes a huge selection of treatments, all served with The Breakers upscale resort pampering-style. We were keen on the Royal Coconut Milk and Honey Ritual, an 80-minute honey, organic raw sugar and fresh coconut milk body wrap that eliminates dead surface skin cells, while a nutrient rich mask infused with royal jelly is massaged to tone and tighten the skin. Delectable sounding, too, the Smoothing Coconut Sugar Scrub also uses raw sugar cane and rich coconut oil to nourish, moisturize and protect the skin.

An interesting assortment of manis, pedis and hand and foot “facials” are offered, too. One, an intensive therapy for dry feet, involves sweet almond oil and a Dead Sea salt exfoliation. Facials, in vogue as well, are targeted to specific skin conditions. The Orchidée Impériale Facial is a specialty of the house. This 80-minute treatment draws on the anti-aging properties found in orchids to smooth and brighten the skin. Facial waxing and a hand, scalp and foot massage complete that trip.

And now, we fess up… unable to resist 90 minutes of kneading, we went with the Personal Retreat, a customized full-body massage at the hands of an experienced member of The Breaker’s staff that left us blissfully de-knotted.

Next visit, we are determined to break out of this rut, going with something more in sync with the resort’s super luxury setting. The five-hour Regal Experience might just do the trick. A package of services beginning with a Harmony Massage, performed in synchronization by two therapists, is followed by a detoxifying Mud Wrap, a Classic Facial with reflexology, and finished with a Solar Manicure and Pedicure. Oh wait, no, it’s topped off with a spa lunch. OK, so make that five and a half hours of heaven.

The Breakers Palm Beach Resort and Spa
One South County Road
Palm Beach, FL 33480
(561) 653-6656
www.thebreakers.com

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