Fairmont Breakers Long Beach
Hotel · Long Beach ·
Historic hotel blends old glamour with modern luxury, rooftop views
Historic hotel blends old glamour with modern luxury, rooftop views
"An iconic 1926 coastal landmark recently restored into a polished heritage hotel that blends historic plaster moldings, ornate exterior motifs, a vintage mail chute and a former WWII pillbox with contemporary coastal furnishings and multiple upscale dining and drinking venues. The property has 185 guest rooms and 22 suites (roughly 287–790 sq ft), with elegantly finished bathrooms stocked with Le Labo amenities; rooms are on the smaller side but comfortable. On-site amenities include a 10,000-square-foot luxury spa with eight treatment rooms, a rooftop pool, accessible public areas and a range of dining and nightlife options, and the hotel sits adjacent to the convention center and within easy reach of harborside trails, museums and other downtown attractions." - Tim Chester
"When Conrad Hilton purchased the Breakers Hotel in Long Beach in 1938, he turned the 14th floor into a restaurant, giving birth to an iconic rooftop dining room whose earliest menu boasted grilled lamb chops with fried pineapple, corned beef tongue, and goose liver. For Long Beach residents the room is a foundational part of the city’s collective memory, hosting proms, proposals, anniversaries, and birthdays, and for decades it served as one of the city’s “special night” destinations—an emblem of Old Hollywood that hosted the likes of Rita Hayworth, Clark Cable, and Cary Grant in its early years. After a period of decline, the Fairmont Breakers Long Beach reopened in November 2024 following five years and $150 million in renovation; the ground floor houses the traditional Italian restaurant Nettuno, while the entire penthouse has been revived as the rooftop restaurant led by executive chef Jared Reeves and chef de cuisine Max Pfeiffer. The menu’s stated goal is to highlight the grandeur of the past through new, well-executed dishes such as hiramasa kingfish crudo layered with passionfruit and fennel or blood orange and radish depending on what’s in season; a classic take on steak tartare with pickled mustard, cornichons, capers, and beef fat before adding potato chips and egg yolk jam; Campo Grande Iberian pork presa using the prized shoulder cut that’s brined and slow-roasted before hitting the grill and finished plated with a ragu of caramelized sauerkraut and pork jus; a fowl lineup including classic duck á l’orange and a whole roasted quail stuffed with duck sausage then seared in duck fat; and an old-school beef Wellington with puff pastry wrapped around finely chopped mushroom duxelles and a tenderloin of California wagyu. Incredible views are integral to the experience: a north-facing bar backed by windows looks out over the heart of Long Beach and, on clear days, Downtown Los Angeles, while the dining room’s south-facing windows point toward the Queen Mary, the nation’s biggest shipping ports, and Catalina Island. Inside, a chandelier wraps around the center stretch—hundreds of cylindrical bulbs creating a wavy ode to the ocean below—white marble tables contrast with dark wood flooring, and multi-colored Art Deco floor stones harken to the restaurant’s original aesthetic. Reeves and Pfeiffer deliberately balance preserving beloved elements with modernizing the offering: initially they knew they needed to keep classic favorites like oysters Rockefeller, Parker House rolls, shrimp cocktail, and duck liver parfait, but they also emphasize that the latest iteration is “not just about preparing its greatest hits — it’s about adapting and evolving the menu.” Pfeiffer reflects, “Even I admit that I was walking into this space thinking, ‘Cool, we’re reopening a space [that] Long Beach loves,’” and adds, “But then I realized it’s a much bigger deal than that. The people of Long Beach share a deep, personal history with this restaurant.” Reeves explains the team’s decisions in practical terms: “With a space like [the space], the people attached to it just ultimately want to be heard. We wanted to keep the dance floor but for logistical reasons, it just didn’t make sense with what we’re trying to do for the [the space] to remain a distinct and unique dining destination for future generations,” says Reeves. Contemporary touches include seasonal produce from the Santa Monica farmers market showcased in a crisp crudité; luxe caviar and champagne service delivered tableside via hand-crafted carts; an uni toast served on a sourdough pancake Pfeiffer has kept throughout his career; a lighter, more sophisticated take on creamed spinach; and accessible, celebratory plates such as braised truffle sunchokes paired with an ice-cold martini. By “taking away the velvet rope,” the team aims to make the rooftop restaurant both a place for celebration and a more everyday destination—first and foremost for Long Beach and for those who appreciate Long Beach’s history." - Brian Addison
"When The Breakers Hotel debuted along Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach, California, it immediately drew the attention of high-flying urbanites. In the years to come, the hotel became a hot spot for celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and John Wayne, who enjoyed its opulent exteriors and culinary offerings. Now, after a multimillion-dollar renovation and under the management of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, guests returned on Nov. 19. The hotel features a towering Mediterranean-inspired facade, a lobby with new marble flooring and grand chandeliers, and 185 guest rooms and suites designed with a timeless feel. Dining options include the Sky Room restaurant with a contemporary seafood menu and Nettuno, offering Italian cuisine with a California twist. The property also includes the ultra-chic jazz bar, Alter Ego, a new spa, a fitness center, and a rooftop swimming pool. Nightly rates start from $349 per night." - Dobrina Zhekova Dobrina Zhekova Dobrina Zhekova is a freelance writer with over a decade of editorial experience in Europe and the U.S. She covers luxury travel, art, architecture, and design. Her writing has a
"After a two-year renovation, the historic Long Beach hotel property reopened on November 19, 2024, blocks from the Marina, returning with two new restaurants, a jazz bar, and a rooftop bar. The original hotel debuted in 1926 and became an instant Old Hollywood gathering spot; the property contains 185 rooms and reservations and full hotel details were published alongside coverage of the new food-and-drink venues." - Mona Holmes
"Downtown Long Beach’s historic Fairmont Breakers is set to reopen on November 7 as a luxury hotel converted from a former retirement community, featuring 185 rooms, 22 suites, a spa, a live jazz club, two restaurants, and three bars." - Mona Holmes