Worth Traveling For
I’d lusted for 20 years over photos of Acqualina Resort’s multiple gleaming swimming pools, edged by red cabanas and its crimson beach loungers that pop in contrast to the bone-white sand. I’d longed to sit, cocktail in hand, on one of its sexy scarlet sofas, arranged like an alfresco living room facing the waves. I’d schemed to peer from one of the tony resort’s high balconies, book on my lap, unable to avert my eyes from the view. And, I’d craved the chance to frolic among the Florida dreamscape’s 4.5 beachfront acres — the ultimate outdoor playground.
When I finally arrive at Acqualina, it doesn’t disappoint. This Leading Hotels of the World resort in Sunny Isles Beach (on Florida’s Riviera) has plummy, old-money vibes. It seems quieter than other South Florida retreats to me, buzzy in a low-key way, more of a destination in itself. Since I’m expecting a beach oasis, I’m surprised to discover the hotel’s exterior to be an urbane, Mediterranean-intoned skyscraper that looms to the sky. At first glance, there’s no beach in sight. I step into an ornate foyer, resplendent with chandeliers, gleaming marble, mirrors, and attentive staff. I might be in a palace.
Reception hands me a glass of welcome bubbly, walks me down a hall, and proudly throws open a door to reveal a whole other kind of opulence: sublime nature, supported by Acqualina’s luxurious accoutrements and impeccable service. There’s the ocean, multiple pools, playgrounds, basketball courts, restaurants, and people swimming, sipping, laughing. Repose and recreation is the order of the day.
Dramatic and gosh wow to the max, the palace to beach transition is like a magic trick. It reminds me of how unassuming doorways in places like Florence open to reveal lush courtyard gardens hidden within. Guests are transported from the city to the beach in the wink of any eye. Any beach resort can be barefoot chic, but Acqualina, which celebrates its second decade this year, excels at being fancy and first class in every way.
Hotel Highlights
There’s enough food & beverage variety at Acqualina to keep guests on property. Ke-uH, a Japanese fusion hotspot serves up perfect sushi, hot honey garlic shrimp, and — wait for it — decadent things like Oreos tempura. Costa Grill, with tables on the beach, features light bites and casual, locally inspired fare and drinks, while Il Mulino New York brings an authentic Italian experience in a festive room facing the sea. Get the tableside Caesar salad, which somehow exudes 1950s Little Italy elan. Avra Miami (an outpost of the beloved New York institution) does elevated Greek food. Dip the Avra chips – lighly fried, thinly sliced eggplant, and zucchini – into creamy tzatziki.
The 20,000-square-foot Acqualina Spa reigns as a den of pampering. It stands out as one of a handful of spas around the world to offer exclusive treatments by Seed to Skin Tuscany, an organic skincare line created and produced at Borgo Santo Pietro Resort in Italy. Book the unforgettable 90-minute Tuscan Candle Massage for the ultimate reset.
Rooms and Experience
Though Acqualina rises 51 stories and features sweeping grounds (not to mention 400 feet of beach), the resort manages to feel intimate. It has just 98 rooms and suites, each spacious and residential in ambiance. I stayed in the oceanfront one-bedroom suite, which encompasses 1,430-square-feet of enclosed space, plus a large terrace that overlooks the water and the pools. Glamorous furniture and eye-catching art in all room categories favor subdued, organic hues — a design trick that emphasizes the blue colors of the sky and ocean, bringing the sun-dappled outdoors into the room. A full kitchen, grand living area, and cosseting marble bathroom with separate tub and shower ensure suites feel like a spectacular penthouse. I found myself staying inside — doing yoga on the terrace, ordering room service, working — more than I expected because everything was so elegant. A bonus treat? Seed to Skin Tuscany amenities in the bathroom and full-sized Sub-Zero fridges in the kitchen.
What to Know Before You Book
Acqualina caters to honeymooners, family groups, and solo travelers. Its bespoke activities include options for swimming, sports or scuba lessons, everglade outings, professional childcare, painting, and more. Book a professional photo shoot with resident photographer Pipe Yanguas, a graduate of Milan’s Istituto Europeo di Design, known for his ability to capture his subject’s essence with unequalled style.
Address: 17875 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160
Closest Airport: Miami International Airport (MIA) is 30 minutes away and Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) is 20 minutes.
Feature image, courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Residences. Travel Curator may earn a commission for booking links on this page.
