Fairmont Breakers Brings Glam Back to Long Beach
© Mel Photography
I’ve always had a thing for Fairmont hotels. They just get it right — the design, the service, the entire vibe.
So when I heard they were behind the $150 million renovation of the old Breakers Hotel in Long Beach, I booked a stay faster than you can say “Italian palazzo.”
Getting there from Laguna was easy — about 45 minutes (okay, an hour if you hit traffic, let’s be real).
I drove along Ocean Ave into downtown Long Beach, valeted the car, checked in with the pups, and instantly felt like I’d stepped into my own little European vacay.
The lobby is stunning — vintage glam meets Italian villa vibes, with soaring ceilings, palm-inspired chandeliers, and hand-carved wood from the original front desk, preserved from when the hotel first opened back in the ’20s.
The Backstory
This isn’t just Long Beach’s nicest five-star hotel — the Breakers is a true landmark that was once a playground for Hollywood royalty.
After decades of wear and multiple iterations, it’s finally been restored to its former glory, paying tribute to the past while layering in just the right amount of modern polish.
There’s even a mail chute where the team found an actual letter from the 1960s during renovation — and yes, they really did “return to sender.”
It’s those kinds of details that give the place personality — and just the right dose of fun.
© Mel Photography
Now, Let’s Talk Rooftops
If you’ve spent any time in Long Beach, you know what a good rooftop can do for the vibe. Halo, the hotel’s rooftop bar and nightclub, is officially the highest in town — and it delivers on every level.
It’s sleek, energetic, and totally a scene (in the best way).
There was a DJ spinning, people dancing, cocktails flowing — and the views? Unreal. 360 degrees from Catalina to DTLA.
The line for the old-school elevators gets long on weekends, but once you’re up there, the energy takes over. Everyone was into it — and it’s such a fun spot to people-watch and make new friends over a mezcal something-or-other.
Dinner, Bellinis, and Wagyu Wellington
While Fairmont Breakers is home to a few standout dining spots, the showstopper is easily the Sky Room.
Sitting at the top of the hotel, this iconic restaurant first opened in 1938 and was once thee spot for Hollywood elites. And the glam energy is still 100% there — from the interiors to the menu.
If you’re feeling fancy, their signature dish, the California Wagyu Beef Wellington, is a splurge-worthy moment if you’re in the mood for something decadent. And the seasonal cobbler for dessert is something I will continue to dream about. (I had peach!)
Each morning we grabbed breakfast downstairs at Nettuno, their casual Italian spot. I loved it. The décor is a mix of abstract art and vintage photos from Long Beach in its heyday.
The vibe is low-key but elevated — and yes, there were bellinis.
It felt like a little vacation within a vacation.
© Mel Photography
Dog-Friendly, Vibe-Friendly, Everything-Friendly
I brought the pups with me (there’s a $150 pet fee), and it was totally worth it. Long Beach is such a dog-friendly town, and Fairmont really leans into it — they even had a little bed and dog bowls waiting in the room. We loved walking around the harbor, and honestly, they were living their best lives.
Can we take a quick moment for the cuteness?
The room was beautiful — soft blues and golds, marble bathroom, super plush bed, and a view that overlooked the harbor, the Queen Mary, and even VANS Warped Tour happening down below.
Fairmont Breakers just has this constant buzz to it, like something’s always going on nearby — and usually, there is.
Location, Location &… Olympics!
That’s another reason I loved it: the location.
You're right in downtown Long Beach, walking distance to the water, restaurants, shops, and whatever event is happening that weekend.
Between the Long Beach Grand Prix, Pride, the Olympics coming in 2028 — it’s a city with things actually happening.
And Breakers puts you right smack in the middle of it all, but somehow, it still feels calm and luxe.
A Pool, a Gym, and Smooth Jazz
And then… as if there’s not enough to do, there’s also a rooftop pool (available on ResortPass if you’re not staying overnight), complete with a full bar and the coziest lounge areas. I spent a good chunk of time there just “chillin’ in the LBC” with a drink, because why not?
The two-level fitness center — floor-to-ceiling windows, all the equipment you need — was the perfect spot to sneak in a workout. (Which I actually did!) It was totally luxe, and kind of surreal to be doing cardio while looking out over the city. There’s also a full spa onsite if you’re more in the mood for pampering than sweating.
Downstairs, there’s Alter Ego — a moody little jazz bar that pays homage to the hotel’s roaring ’20s roots. Think velvet everything, live music, low lighting — it’s the kind of place that makes you feel cooler than you actually are. And yes, it also gets packed on the weekends.
Long Beach definitely needed this kind of elevated nightlife.
© Mel Photography
So… Should You Go?
The answer is YES.
If you’re looking for a weekend that feels like a real getaway without getting on a plane, this is it. Fairmont Breakers is the kind of place that makes Long Beach feel glam again — luxurious but not stuffy, historic but not tired, and totally worth the hype.
And the best part? It’s just far enough from home to feel like an escape… but you can still be back in Laguna in time for Sunday brunch.
Photos by OC lifestyle photographer, Mel Photography.
Find her on Instagram at @mel.photography.moments or on her website at MelPhotography.com
