Fairmont Breakers Long Beach hotel review

The Breakers opened its doors in September 1926, becoming a prominent fixture in the Long Beach, California, skyline with its 14-story height—a significant achievement at the time. After being rebranded as the eighth Hilton in the 1930s, it earned a reputation as one of the top hotels on the West Coast, drawing Hollywood icons such as Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant. Over the years, the property has changed ownership multiple times and was recently converted into a retirement community.

Related: Flying Frugal’s 16 favorite hotels in California for all types of travelers.

Reopening as a Fairmont property in November 2024 following a lavish $150 million renovation, the hotel may now be surrounded by taller structures, yet it continues to exude a sense of grandeur with its unique Spanish Revival architecture and striking presence. The interiors have been tastefully redesigned with art deco influences, featuring plush rounded velvet furnishings and sleek brass light fixtures, while retaining charming historic elements like elaborate crown molding and vintage mail chutes.

We had an exclusive chance to explore the hotel just days after its grand reopening. Here’s a glimpse of that experience.

Fairmont Breakers Long Beach Location

The Fairmont Breakers Long Beach is centrally located downtown, directly along Ocean Boulevard. It lies approximately 7 miles from Long Beach Airport (LGB), a trip that typically takes 20 to 30 minutes by car. Expect to pay around $40 for rideshare to and from the airport, depending on traffic conditions.

Additionally, the hotel is situated 25 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). A ride from LAX can take between 40 to 75 minutes, costing upwards of $80 via rideshare. Another nearby option is John Wayne Airport (SNA), located 25 miles southeast in Santa Ana, California; a drive here generally takes about 40 to 60 minutes, costing roughly $70 with services like Uber or Lyft.

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For visitors already exploring Los Angeles, accessing the hotel is straightforward from major roads, as it’s just a short distance from Interstate 710 (the Long Beach Freeway).

Booking Details for Fairmont Breakers Long Beach

Part of the Accor Group, Fairmont hotels operate within the Accor Live Limitless loyalty program. Members can accumulate points on their bookings, earning 25 points for every €10 (about $11) spent. Points can be redeemed in increments of 2,000 for a discount of €40 ($44) on hotel bills. Additionally, booking as a loyalty member through Accor provides access to exclusive rates, which may include perks such as complimentary breakfast or on-site credits.

Rates at the Fairmont Breakers Long Beach start at $349 per night.

Noteworthy Features

• Explore the hotel’s upscale bars, featuring the rooftop Halo venue and the jazz lounge Alter Ego.
• Marvel at the beautifully restored historical architecture alongside modernized guest rooms and communal areas.
• Enjoy competitive room rates that come with on-property perks when booked directly through Accor.

Challenges

• Despite its renovations, the historic building retains some quirky room layouts.
• Staff are still adjusting, so while service is warm and genuine, it may lack the polish typically expected soon.
• The hotel is not yet included in any high-end credit card luxury hotel booking programs.

Atmosphere at Fairmont Breakers Long Beach

“That’s the mayor of Long Beach,” remarked our server at Nettuno while setting down a plate of Caledonian prawns drizzled with Calabrian chili butter, gesturing to a man hosting a sizable dinner party at a nearby table.

The hotel was buzzing with locals eager to check out the newly reopened venue during our two-night visit. The spa’s services were largely booked, and the elegant Sky Room dining area and garden-style lounge at Halo were filled with locals enjoying the offerings at the city’s trending new hotspot.

As time passes, the early excitement will likely subside, and a more diverse population of business travelers and families exploring Long Beach’s established attractions will find their way here. For now, it was delightful to experience the blend of visitors and local patrons.

Room Options at Fairmont Breakers Long Beach

The original hotel featured 330 accommodations, but after recent renovations, the Fairmont Breakers Long Beach now offers just 185 rooms and suites, starting from 279-square-foot Fairmont King rooms and extending to the luxurious Breakers Two Bedroom Suite located on the 12th floor.

I had the opportunity to stay in a Fairmont Bay View King room, which offers about 20 more square feet of space and is priced approximately $50 higher than the standard king room. Located at the end of the hallway on the hotel’s ninth floor, it boasted views of the Port of Long Beach and San Pedro Bay through expansive windows that provided ample natural light.

The layout featured a short entry corridor along with a small closet, both likely remnants of the room’s historic design.

The room’s décor reflects a color scheme inspired by the nearby port, featuring shades of industrial gray, soft white, and swirls of blue and gold in the rugs, complemented by framed seashells above the king-size bed. Clean white linens, woven straw wall accents, and bleached wooden floors give the space a modern and airy ambiance.

A large flat-screen TV was mounted on one wall. Adjacent to the bed, a small multifunctional area featured a round marble-topped table suitable for dining or working, paired with a sturdy armchair inspired by port industry aesthetics. The room also included a Nespresso machine and complimentary bottled water.

A standout feature was the impressively spacious bathroom—a pleasant surprise for an older hotel. It came equipped with a long marble vanity with dual sinks and mirrors, a separate water closet with a frosted glass door, and a spa-like wet area featuring both a bathtub and shower.

The shower setup included a handheld rain showerhead and an overhead model with multiple settings, along with Le Labo’s Rose 31 toiletries stocked in both the vanity and shower area.

The room’s invigorating design and spacious bathroom contribute to an opulent atmosphere, making it suitable for both leisure and business travelers.

Dining Options at Fairmont Breakers Long Beach

The Fairmont Breakers Long Beach features five bars and restaurants, allowing a short stay to sample most, if not all, of what they offer.

Nettuno

Nettuno, the hotel’s primary restaurant, is conveniently located next to the reception area within the lobby. Its dining area features soaring double-height ceilings supported by square columns finished with antiqued mirrors and graceful Corinthian capitals, providing a striking contrast to the contemporary artwork adorning the walls and the chain-like chandeliers overhead.

The breakfast selection includes favorites such as avocado toast topped with baby kale, cherry tomatoes, and stracciatella on seedy whole wheat bread ($18) and an egg white omelet filled with seasonal herbs, mushrooms, and goat cheese ($20), alongside delectable pastries like a fluffy blueberry-olive oil muffin ($6) and a range of coffees, teas, juices, and smoothies ($6 to $16).

The lunch and dinner menus mainly feature coastal Italian dishes, including zucchini blossoms stuffed with lemon-herb ricotta ($24), artichoke tortelli drizzled with sage brown butter ($28), and luscious tiramisu for dessert ($10).

Sky Room

Sky Room occupies a significant portion of the hotel’s 13th floor and dates back to 1938, when Conrad Hilton transformed a penthouse suite into one of the West Coast’s most upscale dining experiences.

This elegant venue has been magnificently restored, allowing guests to feel nostalgic for its pre-War glory as they relax in plush circular velvet booths or by cozy two-top tables near the windows, all illuminated by a stunning fluted light fixture that stretches across the dining area.

Serving dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, Sky Room evokes the charm of classic supper clubs, courtesy of its attentive and neatly attired staff, a cocktail list filled with timeless favorites, and a menu rich with continental classics like oysters Rockefeller and clams casino, some of which still appear on the walls near the entrance.

Start with warm parkerhouse rolls served with whipped cultured butter ($8), followed by specialties like indulgent Dungeness crab cakes paired with smoked trout roe and caviar butter ($28). For caviar lovers, a dedicated caviar menu is also available.

Gather a group to enjoy the indulgent California wagyu beef Wellington encased in flaky pastry crust with mushroom duxelle and bordelaise sauce ($165) or opt for a lighter fare with the whole John Dory, which is table-fileted and served with yuzu-kosho beurre blanc and herb salad (market price based on weight). The extensive wine list includes selections from around the globe, including a chardonnay from Vasse Felix winery in Western Australia ($105 per bottle).

To wrap up your meal, don’t miss the bananas Foster ($22), which is lit on fire right at your table for an added flair.

Halo

Halo gives off an exclusive vibe on the hotel’s top floor. With its glazed green tiles, pink wallpaper featuring exotic leaf designs, and a beautifully illuminated alabaster bar, it evokes the ambiance of a Caribbean garden party.

Guests can look forward to tropical cocktails, including the bright blue Clarified Top Floor Mai Tai ($19), made with Bacardi Ocho rum, Plantation Stiggins pineapple rum, Wray & Nephew overproof rum, Grand Marnier, lime juice, mango, and pineapple.

As warmer weather approaches, the outdoor terrace at Halo is set to become the go-to spot for sunset views and vistas of Catalina Island across the channel.

In a nod to its historical significance, the hotel’s belvedere still features a World War II pillbox turret, remnants of its role in coastal defense.

La Sala

Located alongside the lobby, La Sala boasts an inviting solarium feel, featuring jade-green chinoiserie wallpaper adorned with blooming trees and an eye-catching palm-shaped chandelier made from brass and crystal. Guests can drop in for crafted coffee and tea drinks, cocktails, and light snacks throughout the day.

Alter Ego

Dimly lit and adorned with emerald velvet chairs and lively floral prints, Alter Ego, situated just off the lobby, features live jazz most evenings alongside creative interpretations of classic cocktails, including versions of the daiquiri and dirty martini.

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