Rising from the powdery sands, the biscotti-colored Acqualina Resort has been overlooking the expansive turquoise sea for decades. As it gracefully enters its 20th year, the Sunny Isles Beach grande dame has much to celebrate, including the collection of esteemed hospitality awards it has garnered, like the Forbes Five Stars and AAA’s Five Diamond ranking. But what’s it really like to stay at such an acclaimed hotel? Is it truly worthy of the distinctions? I packed my bags, cruised up the winding driveway and checked in to find out.
After passing through the porte-cochère lined with Bentleys and Bugattis, we zipped up the elevator to one of the hotel’s 44 suites. That room category certainly has pizzazz, but at Acqualina, it’s even more exceptional. It felt more like an oceanfront residence thoughtfully designed with a comfortable, luxurious aesthetic. A polished marble entryway leads into the living room with its inviting seating and expansive balcony views. Strolling further into the space, the contemporary breakfast nook overlooks a fully equipped gourmet kitchen. Even the artwork throughout the suite feels less corporate and more intentional. Once inside the serene primary bedroom, it’s a collection of plush textures, from the soft carpet to the deluxe bed linens, that made it almost impossible to get out of bed in the mornings. As I stepped out of the marble-clad bathroom and into the adjacent office den, a charming library of books caught my eye. I’ve seen this feature at other hotels, and as a bibliophile, I’ve always appreciated it, but at Acqualina, the crimson card didn’t just offer a book to borrow for poolside leisure, but a complimentary book to take home as a reminder of our stay. I was touched.
Back downstairs, the lobby is small for a luxury hotel—a charming space to greet guests as they come and go. The property’s true crown jewel isn’t confined to walls; it’s where sunshine lives and sea breezes awaken all our senses. Walking through the lobby, just a few steps east through automatic glass doors, Acqualina’s lavish oceanfront gardens welcomed us. Dotted with its signature crimson-red umbrellas and lounge chairs, the 4.5-acre grounds extend onto the warm, white sands. We had several options for where to settle in for the day: palm-tree-shaded sofa seating a few steps from the beach, private cabanas surrounding the three pools, or the oceanfront sun loungers with our own red umbrella, which we chose. The number of staff present was impressive. Our every need was anticipated, from sunscreen (because we forgot it) to cool, refreshing water (because it was sweltering and there was no much-needed sea breeze).
The hotel’s other amenities include a lively dining scene featuring three distinct concepts and an ultra-luxe, tranquil spa. Our first night, we dined at Avra Estiatorio, the property’s Greek restaurant. The short, three-minute stroll took us past Acqualina’s residential towers, The Estates, and their stunning lobbies designed by the late House of Chanel designer, Karl Lagerfeld. Not to be left behind, Avra’s entrance is also breathtaking, featuring an impressive ceramic vase floating above the illuminated bar and whimsical, lush bougainvillea draping from the ceiling, framing the turquoise sea beyond. Classic Greek appetizers like saganaki and octopus share the menu with sashimi, ceviche and raw bar options. The highlight of the evening was browsing the market fish on ice to choose exactly which one we wanted to enjoy that night. The immersive experience provided a fun way to interact with the staff, who exceeded our expectations with their knowledge of marine life.
On the second night, we explored the culinary world of Ke-uH, which was renovated last year in anticipation of the resort’s anniversary. The Asian fusion concept skillfully offered a journey through Japanese and Latin flavors, leaving our palates craving more even after our plates were empty. Hamachi crispy rice with yuzu truffle sauce and lightly torched bluefin toro whet our appetite, while the signature rolls, like the Bea, wrapped red chili soy paper around a unique blend of fried plantain, crispy shrimp and avocado.
Its third concept, Il Mulino New York, has been part of the resort’s culinary offerings since inception and underwent a complete redesign earlier this year while remaining true to its signature Italian dishes and the beloved atmosphere that loyal guests expect.
We spent our final day enveloped by the tranquility of the resort’s spa. The 20,000 square-foot retreat features a private pool and terrace, sauna and steam rooms and the Royal Spa Suite, which is where we were treated to soothing, personalized massages. We were invited to enjoy the second-story private space and balcony after our treatment with an effervescent glass of Champagne. This year, the spa will also launch several new services, including a jet lag recovery ritual for weary travelers and a Tuscan candle massage infused with Mediterranean botanical oils.
The radiant Acqualina Resort will fête its 20th anniversary in true opulent fashion. It recently debuted a nearly 3,000 square-foot oceanfront villa suite. This one-bedroom retreat features Italian millwork, two terraces, a gourmet Miele kitchen, designer furnishings and artwork by abstract artist Domenica Brockman. Then, on May 15-17, it will host a dedicated anniversary weekend celebration complete with the debut of the Acqualina Wellness Club, featuring boxing, massage therapies, and immersive wellness activations. The weekend will also include The Art of Motoring by Acqualina x Prestige Imports car showcase.
After spending the days being cared for by the attentive staff, we returned to our suite each evening to find a final touch of Acqualina’s exceptional hospitality. Our turn-down service included fluffy slippers ready to soothe away any pains, and a different tropical-inspired poem on customized cardstock, signed by our room attendant, was placed on the nightstand. One evening, I also found a beachy bookmark next to my bedside book, while the next night, a soft sunglass cleaner cloth was set next to my sunnies. These special touches, while small, made a big impact on our stay and made the Acqualina experience unlike any other.
17875 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach; 305/918-8000; acqualinaresort.com
