Holidays at Newport Mansions Returns to The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Nov 19-Jan 1

Returning for its third year, “Sparkling Lights at The Breakers” will be bigger and brighter than ever when it opens November 19. For the first time, visitors to “Sparkling Lights at The Breakers” can stroll in a complete loop around the property, enjoying a half-mile-long path glittering with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights while music fills the air (photo by Dave Hansen)

NEWPORT, R.I. – Returning for its third year, “Sparkling Lights at The Breakers” will be bigger and brighter than ever when it opens November 19.

For the first time, visitors to “Sparkling Lights at The Breakers” can stroll in a complete loop around the property, enjoying a half-mile-long path glittering with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights while music fills the air. Highlights include a dazzling 50-foot-long tunnel of light and illuminated snowmen and reindeer. Guests will also want to stop by the Van“deer”bilt selfie station, or pause to watch the tree of lights change colors above the illuminated façade of the mansion.

Also new this year, five fire pits will light the way and help visitors stay warm. The back terrace will have warming stations and adult beverages will be available for sale. Holiday sweets and treats will be available for purchase, including s’mores kits to cook over the fire pit. The Breakers Welcome Center also will have snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.

“Sparkling Lights at The Breakers” is now in its third year, and this season it will be more spectacular than ever,” said Trudy Coxe, CEO and Executive Director of The Preservation Society of Newport County, which owns The Breakers and 10 other historic properties. “It’s a great way to share holiday cheer with family and friends.”

“Sparkling Lights at The Breakers” will be open Thursdays through Sundays, 4:30-6:30 p.m., from November 19-December 23, and every evening from December 26-January 1, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tickets are for a specific date and time and include admission to the interior tour of The Breakers. There will be no “Sparkling Lights at The Breakers” on November 24, December 17, December 24 or December 25.

“Sparkling Lights” is sponsored by BankNewport, Bartlett Tree Experts, National Trust Insurance Services and OptoGlo Solar Signs.

Holidays at the Newport Mansions returns to The Breakers, Marble House and The Elms, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.daily, from November 19 through January 1. Beautiful seasonal decorations, including themed Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands and fresh floral arrangements, add a festive holiday décor to these spectacular Gilded Age houses.  

Once again, the 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the Great Hall of The Breakers – made up of 150 individual poinsettia plants – will provide a wonderful holiday photo opportunity. New this year, the Music Room of The Breakers – prominently showcased in Season 1 of Julian Fellowes’ “The Gilded Age” series on HBO – will feature a vignette of mannequins dressed in elegant Gilded Age fashions.

All properties are closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and will close at 2 p.m. on December 24. 

Visit www.newportmansions.org/events/holidays-at-the-newport-mansions to learn more.

Holiday Brunch Offered at Chinese Tea House

Located on the back lawn of Marble House and perched above the historic Cliff Walk, the Chinese Tea House provides an unmatched setting for a three-course holiday brunch by Stoneacre Brasserie. The menu includes a tea tower, an entree selection and assorted desserts. Complimentary tea service is included. Specialty cocktails and wines are available for purchase.

This Holiday Brunch is available Thanksgiving weekend – Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 25, 26 and 27; Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17; and Christmas Week – Monday through Saturday, December 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31. The hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the cost is $55 per adult and $35 per child (age 2-12). Make reservations at  https://resy.com/cities/nwp/stoneacre-tea-house?date=2022-10-31&seats=2 .

The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island, is a nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes, decorative arts and social history. Its 11 historic properties – seven of them National Historic Landmarks – span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.

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18 Hotels in The Palm Beaches Receive Highest AAA Diamond Ratings

The ultra-luxurious Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in tony Manalapan was one of three resorts in the Palm Beaches that received the coveted AAA 5 Diamond Rating. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Eighteen hotels within The Palm Beaches have been awarded Five Diamond and Four Diamond Ratings from AAA for 2018. The coveted ratings are the highest honors from the travel group, which represents an exclusive designation in the hospitality industry. Each year, AAA reviews more than 27,000 hotels, with only 0.4% making the AAA Five Diamond list, and only 5.9% making the AAA Four Diamond list.

“The Palm Beaches’ image as America’s First Resort Destination originated with the legendary hotels and resorts gracing our shores since the 1890s,” said Jorge Pesquera, president and CEO of Discover The Palm Beaches, the official tourism marketing organization for Palm Beach County. “This grand tradition of hospitality carries to the present, and is further reaffirmed by the 18 award-winning properties we are so proud to showcase to customers far and wide.”

“For those of us who are fortunate to visit these hotels on a regular basis, it is easy to see why they’ve become regular recipients of these awards in recognition of their beauty and exemplary service,” Pesquera continued. “We are grateful to the management teams of these hotels who’ve worked tirelessly to provide memorable experiences for our visitors, reaffirming our brand promise as ‘The Best Way to Experience Florida’.”

Three of the 10 Florida properties that received AAA Five Diamond Ratings are located within The Palm Beaches and include:

• Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa — Manalapan (see story)
• Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach – Palm Beach
• The Breakers Palm Beach – Palm Beach

Properties within The Palm Beaches that received AAA Four Diamond Ratings are:

• Delray Sands Resort – Highland Beach
• Hilton West Palm Beach – West Palm Beach
• Boca Beach Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort – Boca Raton
• Boca Raton Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort – Boca Raton
• Casa Grandview Historic Luxury Inn Cottages and Suites – West Palm Beach
• Delray Beach Marriott – Delray Beach
• Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa – Jupiter
• Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa – Riviera Beach
• PGA National Resort & Spa – Palm Beach Gardens
• Sabal Palm House Bed and Breakfast Inn – Lake Worth
• The Chesterfield Palm Beach – Palm Beach
• The Brazilian Court Hotel – Palm Beach
• Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa – Palm Beach
• Waterstone Resort & Marina, Curio Collection by Hilton – Boca Raton
• Wyndham Grand Jupiter at Harbourside Place – Jupiter

Discover The Palm Beaches, formerly the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau, is the official tourism marketing corporation that promotes the collection of 39 cities and towns and 15 tourism districts spanning more than 2,200 square miles and 47 miles of pristine beaches from Boca Raton to Jupiter and Tequesta, commonly referred to as “The Palm Beaches.”  The Palm Beaches are home to nearly 17,000 hotel rooms, ranging from historic resorts to boutique inns. The destination features more than 100 family-friendly attractions, world-class luxury and antique shopping experiences, 125 miles of peaceful waterways for on- or in-the-water activities, more than 150 artificial reefs that line the Atlantic Ocean’s Gulf Stream current, 160 golf courses, award-winning restaurants, and a thriving entertainment scene boasting more than 200 art and culture organizations. For more information about The Palm Beaches, visit www.ThePalmBeaches.com and connect on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PalmBeachesFL, YouTube at Discover The Palm Beaches and the hashtag, #ThePalmBeaches.

See:

Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa’s Secret for ‘New Fashioned’ Luxury: Playfulness, Surprise, Touch of Whimsy and Wit, and Surprise

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Newport Mansions Host Christmas Festivities at Breakers, Elms, Marble House

Alva Vanderbilt’s grand Marble House, one of the Newport Mansions, is inviting guests for Christmas © 2013 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The famed Newport, Rhode Island, Gilded Age mansions, The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House, welcome visitors for Christmas from November 23 through January 1, 2014. The Preservation Society of Newport County is presenting music, tours, shopping events, and visits from Santa Claus at three of America’s grandest historic houses.

New this year is a gingerbread house competition at The Breakers.  Four local pastry programs have created gingerbread models of the Newport Mansions that are on display in the kitchen.  The competitors are Clements’ Marketplace in Portsmouth, RI; Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School of Fall River, MA;  Fatulli’s Gourmet Bakery in  Middletown, RI; and Russell Morin Fine Catering of Newport and Providence, RI.

Returning to the Great Hall of The Breakers this year is the 15-foot tall poinsettia tree, which for the past few years had been displayed at The Elms.   The “tree” is made up of 150 individual poinsettia plants, grown in the Preservation Society’s own greenhouses.  The plants are removed and replaced several times during the six-week holiday season to ensure the display remains fresh.

Christmas trees of various sizes throughout the houses are adorned with new flickering LED candle lights. Additional decorations in the three houses include dozens of wreaths, hundreds of yards of garland and thousands of flowers, including poinsettia plants, lilies, roses, carnations and potted palms.  Ornaments reflect the colors and décor of individual rooms, and white candles illuminate the windows.  Additional highlights include an eight-foot decorated wreath on the grand staircase of Marble House, new large evergreen kissing balls hung in each house, and a pastel floral theme in the ballroom of The Elms.

Three Houses Open Daily

Christmas officially arrives at the Newport Mansions on Saturday, November 23.  The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House will be fully decorated and open daily for tours, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, through January 1, 2014.  A Winter Passport ticket providing daytime admission to all three houses can be purchased for $28 for adults, $9 for children 6-17. Children under the age of 6 are admitted free.  Individual house tickets are also available. Tickets can be purchased online at www.NewportMansions.org, or at each property.

Holiday Evenings at the Newport Mansions

Holiday Evenings at the Newport Mansions provide a unique opportunity to see these historic houses lit up for a night-time celebration. Guests can take a leisurely self-guided tour through the museum, enjoying live holiday music and a stop for cookies and pastries, eggnog and cider.  Holiday Evenings at The Breakers are scheduled for November 30 and December 7, 14, and 28, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. On December 21, guests can enjoy a Holiday Evening Duet: The Elms and Marble House, and see both of the houses for the price of one, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Admission to Holiday Evenings is $28 in advance, $35 at the door.  Children 6-17 are admitted for $10. Children under the age of 6 are admitted free.  Preservation Society members enjoy reduced admission, $25 in advance, $30 at the door.  On December 21, a single ticket provides admission to both The Elms and Marble House, as well as shuttle service operating between the two houses.  More information, including the schedule of Holiday Evening entertainment, and advance tickets are available online at www.NewportMansions.org, or call (401) 847-1000.

Visits with Santa Claus 

Children can visit with Santa Claus in a spectacular setting at each of the three mansions on Sundays in December.  Santa will make public appearances from noon to 3 p.m. at The Breakers on December 8, Marble House on December 15, and The Elms on December 22.  The visit with Santa is included in the regular admission price.

About The Mansions

The Breakers, a 70-room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo, was designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt and completed in 1895 for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, President and Chairman of the New York Central Railroad.  Its interiors include rich marbles and gilded rooms, a 50-foot high Great Hall, mosaic tile floors and ceilings, and open-air terraces with magnificent ocean views.

The Elms is an elegant French-style chateau built in 1901 for Philadelphia coal magnate Edward J. Berwind.  It serves as a backdrop for monumental artworks, including wall-sized 18^th century Venetian paintings and Chinese lacquer panels.  The Elms is situated on a 10-acre park with an elaborate sunken garden.

Marble House was the summer home of Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt. Built and furnished at a reported cost of $11 million, it was the most lavish house in America when it opened in 1892.  It became a grand stage for Alva Vanderbilt’s climb to social and political power, first as a leading society hostess and later as a leader of the “Votes for Women” campaign.

The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island is a non-profit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes and decorative arts.  Its 11 historic properties—seven of them National Historic Landmarks—span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.

For further information, visit www.NewportMansions.org.

A Weekend of Coaching Returns to Newport, August 16-19

Authentic 19th century coaches drawn by matched and highly-trained teams of horses will return to Newport from August 16-19, 2012, in the triennial renewal of a Weekend of Coaching, hosted by The Preservation Society of Newport County. A gala dinner-dance in honor of the whips will be held at The Breakers © 2012 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

Authentic 19^th century coaches drawn by matched and highly-trained teams of horses will return to Newport from August 16-19, 2012, in the triennial renewal of a Weekend of Coaching, hosted by The Preservation Society of Newport County. The public will enjoy free viewing of the colorful and historic coaches every day, as they drive through the streets of Newport and the grounds of the Newport Mansions, celebrating and preserving a century-old sporting tradition.

“This is one of our favorite events because it is so unique and so much fun,” said Preservation Society CEO & Executive Director Trudy Coxe.” “We are very grateful to the members of the Coaching Club for staging this event in Newport again, and for making the Preservation Society the beneficiary of their fundraising efforts.”

The drivers, or “whips” as they are referred to in the sport of coaching, who are expected to attend are: Mr. S. Tucker Johnson, of Hobe Sound, Florida, President of the Coaching Club; Dr. Timothy J. Butterfield, of Derry, New Hampshire; Frederick E. Eayrs, of Middleboro, Massachusetts; Walter F. Eayrs, of Bristol, Rhode Island; Howard Fafard, of Framingham, Massachusetts; John Frazier Hunt, of Spring City, Pennsylvania; Herbert Kohler, of Kohler, Wisconsin; James Mather Miller, of Lakewood Ranch, Florida; Sir Paul & Lady Sarah Nicholson, of Durham, United Kingdom; Louis G. Piancone, of Gladstone, New Jersey; Claire Reid, of Southern Pines, North Carolina; Sir John Richards, of Cheshire, United Kingdom; Harvey W. Waller, of Stockbridge, Massachusetts; George A. Weymouth, of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania; and John White, of Newton, New Jersey.

The routes of the daily drives will be published in the local press and the Preservation Society’s website (www.NewportMansions.org), along with suggested viewing spots. In addition, there will be a free-to-the-public driving exhibition on the grounds of The Elms starting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, August 18. The weekend will culminate with a formal Coaching Dinner Dance at The Breakers on Saturday evening.

The Honorary Chairs of A Weekend of Coaching are Mr. & Mrs. A. L. Ballard. David E.P. Lindh is the Chair, and Kenneth M.P. Lindh the Vice-Chair of the Weekend. Frederick E. Eayrs is Vice-Chair of Coaching.

The Chairs of the Coaching Dinner Dance are Mrs. Mark (Leslie) Hull; Mrs. David E.P. (Lynda) Lindh; Mrs. Kenneth M.P. (Elaine) Lindh; Mrs. David J. (Beverly) Little; Gladys V. Szápáry; and Mrs. Guy F.C. (Mary) Van Pelt.

Tickets for the dinner-dance in honor of the whips at The Breakers are $450 per person, and reservations are required. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.NewportMansions.org, email Events@NewportMansions.org, or call (401) 847-1000 ext. 140.

The tradition of coaching grew out of the 18^th and 19^th century mail runs in England, which later made their way across the Atlantic to the United States. The horse-drawn mail coaches were eventually replaced by railroads, but nostalgia led to the development of coaching as a sport. The Coaching Club of New York was formed in the latter part of the 19^th century, eventually becoming part of the social fabric of Newport in the summer. The Wetmores, the Bells, the Vanderbilts and the Belmonts were all active members, bringing their coaches together to go to the races, the polo games, and the Casino.

The two types of open-air vehicles used in the sport of coaching—a Road Coach and the slightly smaller Park Drag—employ a team of four horses. All seating is outside, with the driver, known as a “whip,” sitting in the slightly elevated right front seat, and the whip’s wife or female relative taking up the “box seat” on the left. The rear bench of the coach holds at least two specialized footmen called grooms. Two center benches can hold up to 10 passengers.

The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island is a non-profit educational organization accredited by the American Association of Museums and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes and decorative arts. Its 11 historic properties—seven of them National Historic Landmarks—span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.

For more information, call 401-847-1000 or visit www.NewportMansions.org.

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Breakers Rewards savings make it easier to enjoy romantic escape to iconic Palm Beach resort

The Breakers resort is making it easier for couples to enjoy a luxurious romantic escape and families to enjoy a winter getaway with the added savings of “Breakers Rewards,” its seasonal offer available through February 14, 2012, just in time for Valentine's Day © 2012 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

The Breakers resort is making it easier for couples to enjoy a luxurious romantic escape and families to enjoy a winter getaway with the added savings of “Breakers Rewards,” its seasonal offer available through February 14, 2012, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

You get $50, $100 or $200 in nightly credits per room, based on category of accommodations booked at regular rates:

• $50 Breakers Rewards (per room per night), applicable to Deluxe guest rooms
• $100 Breakers Rewards (per room, per night), applicable to Premium guest rooms
• $200 Breakers Rewards (per room, per night), applicable to Flagler Club (concierge level), Oceanfront Rooms and Suites

Breakers Rewards are applicable to myriad resort amenities:
• Dining and drinks at any of the resort’s nine Palm Beach restaurants and five lounges
• Golf play on The Breakers’ two championship courses
• Personalized golf instruction at the renowned John Webster Golf Academy
• Rejuvenating luxury spa
• Tennis, applicable to court play and private instruction
• Luxury beach bungalows for daytime rental
• World-class shopping, applicable to purchases at the resort’s 11 boutiques
• Children’s programs at the Family Entertainment Center.
• Overnight valet parking

Complimentary resort benefits always include Internet inclusive of WiFi, access to main hotel’s fitness center and fitness classes (excluding private sessions).  Breakers Rewards not available to groups.  Other restrictions apply.

The Breakers offers an alluring, domestic winter vacation in the style of tropical and Mediterranean destinations. This 140-acre Palm Beach resort, originally built in 1896, has undergone a comprehensive, $250 million revitalization and expansion over the past ten years, and today features a glamorous yet classic ambiance that combines Italian Renaissance style and European feel, with an alluring beachfront reminiscent of St. Tropez.  The value of its proximity is palpable…a prime stateside location, more affordable than overseas, with stunning vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, easy air transit for guests and close airport proximity.  With its bounty of dining and recreational amenities, The Breakers is a self-contained, panoramic escape, from which guests never have to step a sandal off property.

“We have found that these daily monetary credits encourage winter travelers to enjoy and save on their preferred experiences, all available on site,” said David Burke, vice president of sales & marketing of the 140-acre property.  “The Breakers Palm Beach offers an unrivaled resort experience that could not be replicated today – a stunning atmosphere of relaxed elegance with an amazing range of resort experiences.  With our long-term vision and commitment to future generations of guests, we ensure it keeps getting better year after year.”

One of America’s legendary resort destinations, this 540-room, Italian Renaissance-style hotel resides on 140 acres of oceanfront property in the heart of Palm Beach.  The Breakers was founded in 1896 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and continues to thrive independent of chain affiliation.  Renowned for its gracious service, the resort indulges its clientele, whether couples on a romantic getaway, multi-generational travelers on a family vacation or large gatherings in celebration.  With the commitment of its long-standing ownership, descendants of founder Henry Flagler, The Breakers invests $20 million each year in the property’s ongoing enhancement to ensure it remains appealing to future guests.  Following a comprehensive ten-year $250 million revitalization, its timeless atmosphere — from its magnificent interiors to its artfully designed landscape — has been renewed in a style of relaxed elegance.

A multi-faceted destination, The Breakers features 36 holes of championship Florida golf, including the Ocean Course and The Breakers Rees Jones® Course; 10 Har-Tru tennis courts; luxury spa; a breathtaking oceanfront with a half-mile of private beach, Mediterranean-style beach club, as well as luxury beach bungalows for daytime-rental, five pools, four whirlpool spas and a variety of water sports; a Family Entertainment Center and an extensive program of family and children’s activities.  Nine distinctive restaurants, as well as an array of on-site boutiques, are all owned and managed by the resort.  The Breakers is recognized as a AAA Five Diamond property and has earned numerous accolades for its commitment to the environment, community service and the quality of life it provides to its employees.

For reservations or more information, contact the resort toll-free at 1-888-BREAKERS (273-2537), (561) 655-6611, visit www.thebreakers.com, or contact your travel professional.

See also:

The Breakers Palm Beach: iconic American resort has relaxed, contemporary feel and slideshow

The Breakers, iconic Palm Beach destination resort, redefines dining experience and slideshow