Long Beach’s Breakers Hotel Turns Its Past Into the Main Attraction

Fairmont Breakers Long Beach marks its centennial this September with a series of themed suite packages inspired by the property’s aviation and Hollywood history.

“As we lead into our centennial this September, we’re looking for ways to bring the stories that shaped this property into the guest experience in a more intentional way,” said Maureen Leary, director of sales and marketing at the hotel. “The Centennial Suites allow us to do exactly that, transforming signature moments from our history into something guests can feel, not just learn about.”

The restored downtown landmark, originally opened in 1926 as the Breakers Hotel, has spent the past year reintroducing itself to travelers after an extensive renovation. The latest effort turns historical moments tied to the property into immersive stays.

The Lindbergh Experience draws inspiration from the aviator’s arrival in Long Beach. According to hotel history, Lindbergh's use of the illuminated rooftop sign as a visual guide through dense fog, reinforced the hotel’s role as a recognizable landmark along the Southern California coast.

Today, that story comes packaged with suite accommodations, airplane-shaped chocolates and a Paper Plane cocktail served at the hotel’s rooftop bar, HALO.

The second offering, The Violet Hour, trades aviation for Hollywood romance. Inspired by Taylor’s 1950 honeymoon stay, the package centers on couples wellness and old-school glamour. It pairs a suite with a couples massage, sparkling wine and violet-themed chocolates that reference the actress’s signature hue.

Both experiences begin at $309 per night and run through the end of the year.

At the Breakers, the centennial programming builds on the hotel’s long history in Long Beach. The property opened during the 1920s and later became known for its ties to Hollywood and entertainment culture. Its architecture, designed by the firm Walker & Eisen, still anchors the downtown skyline nearly a century later.

Guests can join guided heritage tours exploring the building’s past, while the revived Sky Room restaurant revisits classic American tableside dining traditions tied to its 1938 origins. Elsewhere inside the hotel, Alter Ego, a hidden speakeasy-style jazz lounge, hosts live music nights that nod to the property’s musical roots.

A third themed suite inspired by Rita Hayworth is expected to debut later this year as the hotel moves closer to its official centennial celebration.

The property’s history spans aviation milestones, Hollywood connections and nearly a century of Long Beach history.

Not every hotel can claim a rooftop sign once guided one of the world’s most famous pilots through the fog. Fewer still can package that story with a cocktail.