Michele StuevenNestled in the heart of downtown Long Beach, the landmark Fairmont Breakers Hotel has reopened after a multi-million-dollar transformation, blending historic grandeur with contemporary luxury.
Located just 25 miles south of Los Angeles and initially built in 1926, the property with 185 rooms and 22 suites has been transformed into a lavish retreat that includes a luxury spa, a rooftop bar with sweeping views of the harbor, and a pool terrace alongside two signature restaurants, including the return of the beloved Sky Room.
The return of the Sky Room is the revitalization of a venue that has been an integral part of the city’s history and a storied haunt for old Hollywood stars like Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, and Rita Hayworth as well as traveling sailors
Local Chef Maxwell Pfeiffer puts an updated spin on some of the classic menu items like Wagyu Wellington, Oysters Rockefeller, and Clams Casino. He has transformed the original chilled relish tray into a crisp crudite platter bursting with color and flavors. which includes Habanata peppers – sweet habanero peppers with no heat – wax beans, heirloom, and purple ninja radishes are served alongside a California classic green goddess dressing made with house-fermented onions. The jumbo shrimp cocktail comes with lemon aioli.
Courtesy Fairmont Breakers Hotel
The whole roasted rack of lamb is served with a mint jelly made from green tomatoes and fresh mint and the Liberty Farms duck from Sonoma County is broken down to where they confit the legs, sear the breasts with crispy skin, and utilize the duck hearts to make a duck confit dirty wild rice which gets finished off with a winter citrus sauce, a play on the old school duck a’lorange.
The opulent blue and gold dining room has sweeping views of the Long Beach harbor, and the bar looks out in the opposite direction as far as downtown Los Angeles. While the 60-cent martinis are gone, you will find classic and craft cocktails and an extensive wine list.
Upon entering the Sky Room, you’re greeted by a wall that serves as a time capsule with original menus, vintage cutlery, old photos, and the restaurant’s storied history:
The Breakers Luxury Resort opened in 1926 and closed soon after the Depression and the devastating Long Beach Earthquake of 1933. Conrad Hilton bought what was left of the hotel in 1938 and renamed it the Hilton Hotel Long Beach, opening the Sky Room restaurant. During the war, in the 1940s, the Sky Room became the AirWatch Headquarters for Long Beach Harbor, complete with rooftop gun mountings for defense. One historic pill box remains today. Hilton sold the building in 1947. After many reinventions, including serving as an assisted living facility and retirement home, Pacific 6 took over the facility in 2017 and restored the designation landmark to its original grandeur.
Alger Ego (Courtesy Fairmont Breakers Hotel)
As the only rooftop bar in Long Beach, Halo is a colorful lounge and bar space with 360-degree views stretching from Downtown Los Angeles to Catalina Island. Vibrant custom-designed wallpaper cascades from the ceiling, showcasing bird-inspired motifs and playful nods to the hotel’s original Art Deco era.
The ground level of the stunning lobby is an elegant maze of bars and restaurants. Inspired by the Italian coast, Nettuno serves breakfast and dinner. Alter Ego, the property’s upscale jazz bar, pays homage to the hotel’s original roots as an escape for A-listers in the Roaring Twenties, with dimly-lit interiors and historic design touches, including the use of original wood paneling. Custom wallpaper and gold accents bring a contemporary flair. Plush velvet seating, reminiscent of classic jazz clubs and speakeasies, adds a touch of vintage elegance while the bar serves a variety of classic and music-inspired cocktails accompanied by a live jazz band on select evenings.
Steps from the nearby Pike shopping center with a view of bustling East Ocean Blvd, the stylish La Sala lobby bar combines classic California glamour with a refined design inspired by the 1930s garden solarium, incorporating the original facade from the hotel’s first front desk. Incorporating green hues, palm tree-inspired chandeliers, and botanical accents, the tranquil haven creates the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a morning espresso and breakfast pastries, an elevated afternoon tea, or an evening cocktail.
The resort’s two-story, state-of-the-art fitness center is filled with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic views of downtown Long Beach with strength and cardio machines from Technogym. The space is open 24 hours a day to satisfy the most advanced workout regimens, guests can enjoy form and function in the innovative gym space, open 24 hours a day. The 10,000-square-foot Fairmont Spa is the first and only luxury spa in the area, offering eight treatment rooms and a pre-and post-treatment relaxation lounge.
Netturo (Courtesy Fairmont Breakers Hotel)