Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach

Description:

• Some people are still scratching their heads as to why this over-the-top, luxurious resort decided to open across the street from a Denny's and t-shirt shops. That's because they haven't been inside. Once you enter Acqualina, you forget that you're even in Miami and feel as if you're somewhere on the Italian Riviera. In fact, it was Sophia Loren who gave this hotel its name when she was out kibitzing with the owner of Acqualina. Located on 4.5 beachfront acres with over 400 feet of Atlantic coastline, Acqualina is a massive Mediterranean style resort towering over all the others with its Baroque fountains and just 97 impeccably appointed, insanely luxurious rooms and suites featuring the usual trimmings -- flatscreen TVs, goose-down duvet and pillows -- and some unusual ones as well. Among them: Rivolta Carmigani sheets, and in some suites, full gourmet kitchens with Sub Zero fridge, granite countertops and dishwasher -- not that the people who can afford to stay here will be doing any cleaning. A branch of NYC's acclaimed Il Mulino New York restaurant is also here. Less fancy fare is offered at the beach bar and restaurant, Costa Grill. The spa, called ESPA, is a bi-level, 20,000-square-foot oceanfront Eden, featuring everything from massage and aromatherapy and a standard Welcome Foot Ritual where your own personal needs are assessed while your feet are caressed. There are three pools just steps away from the beach -- an adult-only known as the Tranqulity pool, a heated-jet pool, and a free-for-all pool. The hotel's fantastic AcquaMarine Program offers a splashy array of marine-biology activities for kids and adults. Beach cabanas offer the ultimate in luxurious lingering. All this luxury doesn't come cheap, so if you can afford it, go for it. It isn't nearly as pricey as South Beach's Setai, and the chances of Paris Hilton and Tara Reid partying here is unlikely. Aqualina caters more to the young, sophisticated, international jet-set crowd that's been there, done that and doesn't need the T-shirt to remind them of where they are.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010