The Breakers, Henry Flagler’s homage to the Atlantic along the shores of Palm Beach, has long been a shining representation of how a five-star hotel operates.

A true team effort of 2,000 Breakers’ associates, is impeccably helmed by Paul Leone, who has been president of the famed hotel for nearly 10 years. In recognition of his outstanding service, Hotels, a leading publication of the global hotel industry, named Leone “Independent Hotelier of the World” in its November cover story [PDF]. The annual award was the culmination of more than 60,000 votes from readers and colleagues from more than 150 countries and is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the industry.

Since Leone took the reigns in October of 1994, The Breakers has experienced more than $250 million in property improvements. He also shifted the organizational structure of the hotel to a more “entrepreneurially focused enterprise” that has led to “industry leading levels of employee satisfaction, employee retention, guest satisfaction and finical performance.” Leone certainly runs a tight ship, keeping the legacy of Flagler in tact—and bolstering it.

The Breakers Palm Beach, www.thebreakers.com