Photo courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Residences
In Sunny Isles Beach, a beloved resort proves the most restorative luxury of all is being looked after.
The moment I opened the door to my 12th-floor suite at Acqualina Resort & Residences, I said it out loud: "I could live here."
I've walked into a lot of hotel rooms in more than 16 years of travel writing, so I don't say that lightly. But after a few days here with my husband, Doug, it was clear why it has held Forbes Travel Guide's Five-Star rating for both hotel and spa for 14 years running. Plenty of places look the part. Very few make you feel this genuinely cared for. My friend Ryan, a Miami native, had told me Acqualina was the nicest resort in the country. After a day here, I understood exactly what he meant.
Photo courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Residences
The Suite Life, and Then Some
From inside the suite, I had three beautiful views of the coastline, and the balcony became my favorite place to linger with my morning coffee. There was a full kitchen and a refrigerator I opened far more often than I'd like to admit: an array of waters; peach, pear, apple and cranberry juices; and little cups of Häagen-Dazs tucked in like a secret.
In the bathroom, fresh hydrangeas sat by the sink, and every toiletry I might have forgotten at home was already waiting. The bath products come from Seed to Skin, a Tuscan skincare line, and the matcha soap with cypress and mandarin has stayed with me. I'll be looking for it online, along with the towels, which are, without exaggeration, the best bath towels I've ever used.
An AcquaFit yoga mat was rolled up in the room, too. It's a thoughtful reminder that movement and relaxation can coexist here, though there's certainly plenty of time for eating and napping.
Photo courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Residences
Service That Reads Your Mind
Here's what I'll remember most. Everyone, from the front desk to the pool deck, called me by my last name, and I was amazed every single time someone new did it. But the moment that truly astonished me came at breakfast, when our waiter already knew my cappuccino order after just one day.
On the beach, attendants moved my umbrella as the sun shifted so I never had to. When I worked from my laptop by the pool, someone adjusted the shade there as well. Mango smoothies appeared mid-afternoon. When a few birds got a little too interested in our table, a staff member was up in an instant to send them on their way. Our beach attendant, Dickenson, seemed to know what we needed a beat before we did. I'd look down to find another pitcher of water with fresh lemons and limes, without ever having seen or heard him come by.
That kind of service is hard to train and impossible to fake. In wellness travel, we talk a lot about treatments, thermal circuits and mindfulness. But there's something deeply restorative about not having to think about a thing. At Acqualina, being looked after is its own kind of wellness.
Photo courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Residences
The Spa: A Proper Thermal Ritual
Acqualina Spa spans 20,000 square feet over two floors facing the Atlantic, and the hydrotherapy is the real draw: Himalayan salt walls, crystal steam rooms, Finnish saunas, arctic ice fountains and a cold plunge, with a heated jet pool and Roman waterfall spa out on the terrace. Separate men's and women's facilities offer additional thermal experiences, while a co-ed relaxation lounge provides a place to unwind together.
Doug and I booked the Royal Spa Suite, a private retreat for two. Before our couples massage, we were asked what music we'd like. We chose jazz. Afterward, I experienced my first steam shower, followed by a glass of champagne.
That's when Doug asked whether I'd heard the jazz version of "What Child Is This" during our massage. I hadn't. I must have been asleep, or simply in complete bliss. I couldn't tell you a single song that played, and that says everything about this spa.
The mindfulness details are lovely, too. You can draw an affirmation card, color a mandala, or slip on Sony noise-canceling headphones for a guided meditation by life coach Sarah Vie. For something beyond a classic massage, the Sound Healing Massage weaves music therapy into the treatment.
New at the Acqualina Spa Boutique is an exclusive collection from Italy's Back Wellnesswear. Designed and made in Bergamo, the collection includes leggings, tops, jackets and cashmere wraps that emphasize comfort and natural fibers. It's another example of the Italian craftsmanship woven throughout the resort.
Photo courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Residences
Breakfast Every Morning, Dinner by the Sea
We ate breakfast at the resort every morning, and it was a feast: platters of fresh fruit, including dragon fruit, a made-to-order omelet station, and cantaloupe-honeydew juice alongside just about anything else you could want. You can eat as healthfully or as indulgently as you like, which is exactly how breakfast on vacation should be.
Dining is another highlight, with several restaurants on property, including the Italian favorite Il Mulino New York and Ke-uh, which specializes in Japanese cuisine. Then there's Avra, which brings the Greek islands to Sunny Isles with soaring ceilings, cascading bougainvillea and wide ocean views. The star is the seafood: you choose your fish from the day's catch on display and have it charcoal-grilled or baked in a salt crust, then pair it with something from the impressive wine list.
Photo courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Residences
Wellness Without Trying Too Hard
I've been a runner my whole life, and the first thing I figure out at any resort is where to run. Here, the answer is easy: right out the door and onto the beach, with the Atlantic beside me the whole way. The resort also provides guests with a shoreline walking and jogging map. Back inside, AcquaFit's newly redesigned fitness center is spacious, with Technogym's Artis equipment and a Peloton bike, always a favorite of mine. Weekend classes are complimentary, and you can book personal training, yoga or Pilates.
There's also a complimentary surf clinic each morning at 9 a.m., and the concierge can arrange kayaking at nearby Oleta River State Park. Sarah Vie's meditations live on the Acqualina App, with morning, afternoon and bedtime sessions plus a "Sparkle and Shine" meditation for the whole family.
Photo courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Residences
Who It's For
Honestly, almost everyone. I saw plenty of multigenerational families, and it's easy to see why, with spacious accommodations and wonderful kids' programming. It's also a beautiful setting for a wedding, a group getaway, a girls' trip or a romantic escape. I'd happily return on my own, too. When you're this well cared for, even a solo getaway sounds like a luxury.
Getting There
Acqualina sits right on the sand in Sunny Isles Beach, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale and minutes from the shops at Bal Harbour, with easy access to both airports. On a short trip, being on the beach soon after you land makes all the difference.
Photo courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Residences
The Healthy Travel Takeaway
Book it for: A restorative long weekend where every detail is handled for you.
Best time to go: Year-round, though early November brought beautiful weather and a welcome escape before the holiday rush.
How long: As long as you possibly can.
Don't miss: The full thermal circuit, including the cold plunge, and the Royal Spa Suite if you're traveling as a couple.
Pack: Running shoes for morning runs along the beach.
By the numbers: Forbes Five-Star hotel and spa for 14 consecutive years, AAA Five Diamond for 16 years, and top honors from U.S. News & World Report and USA Today readers.
I said I could live here. I meant it.
Acqualina Resort & Residences · 17875 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida · acqualinaresort.com
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