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Family staying power
KATHRYN SINICROPE, Special To The Daily News
The familiar line of The Breakers towers is likely to conjure visions of
high-end dining, charity galas, elaborate weddings, romantic honeymoons,
busy conventions or quiet weekend getaways.
Now, the resort hopes to add "family vacation" to that list of options.
Today's often-overextended parents want to make vacations with their
children special and they're looking at the hotel industry to provide some
options, says Mark Mantegna, director of recreation at The Breakers.
"The resort has increased family-friendliness," Mantegna said, "because
parents want to spend as much time with kids as possible."
Mantegna and his staff spent two years developing the Family Entertainment
Center at the resort. The center is designed to give children a place to
play and parents a chance to be involved.
The 6,160-square-foot facility, which opened in February, includes an arcade
with more than 20 games, a movie room, computer room, craft area and a space
just for toddlers.
According to hotel industry expert James Chung, high-end resorts like The
Breakers have benefited from changes in travel that took place after the
terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
"International travel has become less popular among upscale families, with
their travel shifting to domestic resorts," said Chung, the president of
Boston-based Reach Advisors, which provides strategy, product development
and targeted marketing services to resorts.
A weakened economy also means fewer business clients, Chung said, which
leads resorts to focus more on families.
The Breakers isn't alone in trying to make itself a destination for
vacationing families. In Miami Beach, The Fontaine-bleau Hilton Resort
offers Cookie's World, an interactive children's pool area designed around a
friendly octopus character.
But Palm Beachers Tina and Steven Multin are sold on their hometown resort.
Tina Multin brings son Saverio, 3, to The Breakers daily for its Coconut
Crew Interactive Camp, which offers organized activities seven days a week.
Mom and son often spend time in the "secret garden" or working on a project
in the arts and crafts room.
Saverio is especially taken with the "g-a-m-e r-o-o-m," said Tina Multin -
so much so that she spelled the words so Saverio would finish his lunch and
not beg her to let him head for the arcade.
The facility is new and clean and well-staffed, she said, describing it as
the perfect place for a "hands-on mom and dad."
The added child-friendly amenities will also add to the tab.
The Coconut Crew Interactive Camp runs year-round from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
daily. The cost is $70 a day; $45 for a half-day, with a box lunch included.
Guests at the hotel age 9 and older can freely roam the Family Entertainment
Center. For children younger than 9, there is an additional $10-an-hour
charge if the parents are not present.
In addition to the camp, guests can take part in family-oriented activities
like Movie Night or parent-child whiffle ball games. The heated oceanfront
pool is also popular.
The resort's new Italian Restaurant is another part of the family-oriented
package. Located just outside the play areas, the restaurant offers a casual
atmosphere - and a view into the children's activity rooms.
Other resorts on the island offer activity directors who will customize
events for any guest, but Mantegna said The Breakers is the first to provide
such a "wild and innovative establishment."
The key, he added, is keeping things fresh, from the planned activities to
the games in the arcade.
"We like to be challenged," Mantegna said. "This is a five-diamond resort,
even if this is just for kids. We want to impress parents with the 'wow'
factor."
Illustration:PHOTO (B&W)
Daily News Photo by Jacek Gancarz
Randy Randolph of West Palm Beach watches his 7-year-old daughter, Rachel
play an arcade game at The Breakers' Family Entertainment Center. The
Randolphs - also mom Kathy and brother Will, 5 - are Breakers Summer
Members, which allows them complimentary greens fees at The Ocean Golf
Course, use of the tennis facility, discounts at seven hotel restaurants and
access to the Beach Club, spa, private beach and Family Entertainment
Center, including Coconut Crew Camp for the children.
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