Page Updated: December 15, 2023
The Breakers
The Breakers - Newport RI
Built of stone and steel and taking two years to construct after the original home was destroyed by fire, the Italian Palazzo style home known as The Breakers is the grandest of all Newport’s Mansions and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rhode Island. Situated on 13 acres of gorgeous seafront property, the 70 room home - commissioned by Cornelius Vanderbilt II as his summer estate - has 15 fireplaces, marble floors, gold leaf paint, and front doors that weight nearly a thousand pounds a piece.
This National Historic Landmark receives nearly 300K visitors annually.
After having visited the Biltmore in Ashville NC, it seemed only fair we check out another of the Vanderbilt summer homes while we were in RI!
There are several Newport “cottages” to tour and some can be bundled into a package. Our tour was simply of the Breakers - and that was enough.
To compliment the Breakers Tour, we downloaded the audio tour. These are great for getting additional facts and pointing out items that might be missed.
The Breakers is over the top opulent. With a Great Hall inspired by the open-air courtyards of Italy and alcoves of carved limestone created to mimic underwater grottos, no expense was spared.
Circassian Walnut and Spanish embossed leather line the walls of the library, while the walls of the dining room are trimmed in gold as the ceiling drips with twin Baccarat Crystal chandeliers.
The home has 20 bathrooms, but this fantastic marble tub stands out. Carved from a single block of marble and fashioned after a sarcophagus, the tub had to be filled and drained several times to warm it up.
Opulence aside, there’s no denying the upper loggia and grounds of the Breakers have spectacular views Easton Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Fabulous home. Fabulous views. Fabulous money!
-b&b
The Charles W. Morgan
Cliff Walk
