Since 1905, Hotel Breakers has welcomed families to Cedar Point to relax, enjoy the thrills of “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” and swim in the waters of Lake Erie. When it first opened, it billed itself as the “largest and greatest hotel on the Great Lakes,” and attracted the likes of comedians Abbott and Costello, sharpshooter Annie Oakley, and six U.S. presidents, including Dwight D. Eisenhower and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

With a full, two-year renovation completed in 2015, Hotel Breakers continues to welcome families to Cedar Point, but now it projects a more modern aesthetic with its clean lines and bold colors. Changes to the hotel include remodeled rooms outfitted with LCD TVs, new furniture and bedding, and modern shelving and closet space. The new décor features larger than life images from Cedar Point that immediately draw guests’ imagination into the amusement park.

Other upgrades include a full-service, onsite Starbucks, expanded green space overlooking Lake Erie and a new children’s splash pad directly behind the hotel. In concert with a host of other family-friendly amenities, like two swimming pools, an arcade, a variety of onsite dining and, of course, close proximity to Cedar Point, Soak City and Challenge Park, Hotel Breakers can’t help but provide a memorable family vacation to the Cedar Point peninsula.

All 511 guest rooms at Hotel Breakers come with dorm-sized refrigerators, microwaves, LCD flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Cribs are available upon request at no charge; however, rollaway beds are not available. In addition to the more traditional closet space, there also are a number of shelves and hooks, as well a dresser with drawers that provides a lot of storage space. A favorite family-friendly feature of ours -- when switching off the bathroom light, a nightlight in the switch panel automatically comes on.

Standard Room
Although considered the smallest of all the guestrooms at Hotel Breakers, the standard room with two queen beds, a chair and a desk is still quite spacious. The bathroom also is roomy with a large vanity, so families have room to move when getting ready each day.

Poolside Suite (First floor, East section only)
These rooms contain two queen beds and a flat-screen TV in the bedroom, with a queen-sized sleeper sofa and a chair in the sitting area. The full bathroom includes a shower/tub. There's also a walk-out patio that opens to the pool.

Lakeview Suite
These guestrooms have two queen beds, a chair and a TV in the bedroom, with a queen-sized sleeper sofa, chair and TV in the sitting area. There's also a screened balcony overlooking the lake. The full bathroom includes a shower/tub.

Standard Suite, No Lake View, No Balcony (Tower Section, Second Floor only)
These rooms have two queen beds and a TV in the bedroom, with a queen-sized sleeper sofa, chair and TV in the sitting area. The full bathroom includes a shower/tub.

Standard Suite, No Lake View (East section only)
These guestrooms include two queen beds and a TV in the bedroom, and a queen-sized sleeper sofa, chair and TV in the sitting area. The full bathroom includes a shower/tub. There's also either a screened balcony or a walk-out patio.

Horizon Suite (Tower and East sections only)
These guest rooms come with one king bed and TV in the bedroom, plus one queen-sized sleeper sofa, two single-size sleeper chairs and a TV in the sitting area, a Jacuzzi off the bedroom, a dining area, and a screened balcony with table and chairs. These rooms overlook the pool and lake. Exception: There is a selection of Horizon Suites that do not offer a balcony; instead, they have a glassed-in sitting area.

Presidential Suite
The largest guest room at Hotel Breakers, this suite has two bedrooms. One bedroom comes with a king bed with walk-in closet, while the second bedroom has two queen beds with a walk-in closet. You'll also find a sitting room, a dining area, two full bathrooms with tub/shower and two screened balconies.

Concierge Floor - 10th Floor
Guests staying on the 10th floor can take advantage of a number of food options served in the lounge throughout the day. Breakfast is served 7:30 to 10 a.m., afternoon snacks are available 1 to 3 p.m., hors d'oeuvres are offered 5 to 9 p.m., and a wine reception takes place 5 to 6:30 p.m. Certain guestrooms on other floors may include the option to add concierge floor services to their rate. Guests receive notification if they are available for this upgrade.

Pools
Hotel Breakers has one outdoor swimming pool with lifeguards, located behind the East section of the hotel that overlooks the beach and lake. Nearby, guests will find a large hot tub that seats up to 50 people. Rather than a more traditional round hot tub, this hot tub is designed with nooks so couples or small groups can have a small semblance of privacy. Pool and hot tub hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and towels are provided for guests. There are a number of tables, chairs and umbrellas throughout the pool area.

Also located behind the East section, the hotel has a zero-entry splash pad for children that features waterslides, dumping buckets and water sprayers. However, the splash pad is separated from the outdoor pool, which could present a problem for parents with older kids who want to swim in the regular pool. Parents may have to split up in order to supervise all of their children, or a single parent may tire of going back and forth to each water spot.

Directly behind the rotunda, guests will find a patio with seating, umbrellas and fire pits, where they can relax and enjoy the lake view.

In addition, the hotel has an indoor swimming pool and hot tub located in the Tower section. This facility is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day.

Note: Outdoor pool areas are only open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Beach
Behind Hotel Breakers, guests can head to the beach along the lake, where they can swim and soak up some rays. Chairs, umbrellas and canopies are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis. A lifeguard is on duty during swim hours, which are 8 a.m. until dark. The beach remains open to guests until midnight.

For guests looking for more adventure in the water, Northcoast Parasail & Water Sports offers Wave Runner rentals and parasailing. Guests operating a Wave Runner must be 16 years old, but passengers do not have an age minimum. To parasail, guests must weigh at least 100 pounds for a solo parasail; otherwise, they must be accompanied by another person.

Parasail prices start at $70, and Wave Runner rentals are $85 for 30 minutes and $150 for one hour. Guests booking a Wave Runner rental before 1 p.m. will receive a $10 discount, and guests booking a parasail excursion prior to 1 p.m. will receive a $15 discount. You must present a room key to receive the discount. Private boat charters also are available.

Arcade
More than 15 coin-operated games are available 24 hours a day in the hotel arcade, located in the Tower section.

Children and Family Activities
Every day, the Hotel Breakers hosts a selection of activities free of charge to all guests. These include "Meet Snoopy," where Snoopy visits with guests in the lobby, music by the pool, live music on the beach, and movies on the beach after sunset. Guests can pick up a schedule of events, which are listed in the Cedar Point Beach Buzz newsletter.

Cedar Point, Soak City and Challenge Park
Guests at Hotel Breakers can walk to Cedar Point, Soak City and Challenge Park or take the courtesy shuttle service. Overnight guests receive early entry for select rides at Cedar Point with paid admission. Discounted tickets can be purchased as part of a package at the front desk. Overnight guests may arrive as early as 8 a.m. on check-in day to pick up their park tickets at the front desk.

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the hotel lobby, Perkins Restaurant & Bakery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with breakfast available all day. Menu items consist of traditional American dishes. A kids' menu offers breakfast items like rainbow pancakes, and lunch and dinner items such as cheeseburgers and chicken strips. In the bakery, guests can choose their favorite pastry, muffin or cookie for something on the sweet side. With a $10 minimum, Perkins also delivers to guestrooms, but guests must pay for their meal at that time; no charges are permitted to guestroom accounts. Available from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., room service menus can be found in the guestrooms. An 18 percent gratuity and state taxes will be added to the order.

T.G.I.Fridays
Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the Tower section, TGI Fridays offers lunch and dinner with such menu items as handcrafted burgers and its Jack Daniel's Grill, plus a kids' menu. There's also a full bar, as well as patio seating.

TOMO Hibachi Japanese Sushi & Steak House
Open 2 to 11:30 p.m. in the hotel lobby, TOMO Hibachi Japanese Sushi & Steak House features traditional hibachi meals cooked to order by chefs ready to entertain, as well as a specialty sushi menu. Takeout service also is available.

Starbucks
Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. off the hotel rotunda, Starbucks makes your favorite latte, iced coffee or Frappucino, along with pastries, sandwiches and snacks.

Poolside Parlor
Open 12 to 8 p.m. in the East section near the outside pool, the Poolside Parlor serves sandwiches, wraps, ice cream treats, drinks and more.

Surf Lounge
Open 11 a.m. to midnight off the rotunda, Surf Lounge is a full-service bar with a large selection of liquors, beer and wine, or you can request your favorite cocktail. There's also a non-alcoholic menu for children. Patio seating is available.

Big Daddy's Pizza
Available 5 to 9 p.m., Big Daddy's Pizza delivers pizza, chicken tenders, breadsticks and salads right to your room. An 18 percent gratuity and state taxes are added to each order, and all orders must be paid for via cash or credit card.

All About the Extras
Parking
Guests at Hotel Breakers receive complimentary parking with full in/out privileges for the duration of their stay. When entering the Cedar Point peninsula, guests should inform the parking attendant of their reservation and be prepared to provide confirmation of the reservation. In the event the guest is charged for parking, simply show the parking receipt to the front desk for reimbursement.

Babysitting Services
Although Hotel Breakers does not have a formal babysitting service, parents can request a babysitter at the front desk, although one is not guaranteed. Cedar Point employees interested in babysitting must apply to be considered for a babysitting job. All accepted employees are vetted before being approved for the babysitting program. When parents request a babysitter, the hotel contacts off-duty Cedar Point employees in the program to see if they are interested and available to babysit; those who are interested are matched to the guests per request. All babysitting rates are agreed upon between the off-duty Cedar Point employee and the guest.

Fitness Center
Located in the East section, the fitness center contains a selection of free weights, as well as weight machines. Cardio equipment includes treadmills and elliptical machines.

Check-In/Check-Out
Check-in is after 4 p.m., with check-out by 11 a.m. Guests may arrive as early as 8 a.m. on check-in day to pick up tickets at the front desk.

The Art of Smart Timing
Hotel Breakers is open for guests from May through October each year, following the same operating schedule as Cedar Point. The least crowded time -- and the best time to find the lowest rates -- is early in the season, primarily May and June. The most crowded time at Hotel Breakers is July through mid-August, as well as all summer holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. Dates for Cedar Point's annual HalloWeekends -- weekends in late September and throughout October -- also are very busy. If you plan to visit during peak times, it is recommended that you book your accommodations as soon as you have your dates.

Getting There
If flying, the closest airport to Hotel Breakers is Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, which is approximately 55 miles east of Cedar Point and Hotel Breakers. If you fly in, you will need a rental car to travel to Hotel Breakers. Shuttle service also can be arranged through several transportation providers.

Getting Around
Guests at Hotel Breakers can travel about the Cedar Point peninsula by walking or via the courtesy shuttle service. For those traveling outside Cedar Point, a rental car is highly recommended.

For Mom and Dad
When mom and dad can get away, head to Surf Lounge for a glass of wine as you enjoy the lake view from the patio. Follow up with dinner at TOMO Hibachi Japanese Sushi & Steak House, and wrap up the evening with a moonlit walk along the beach.