So many people who visit Miami spend their time in South Beach and I have to say: they’re missing out. Go a few (hundred) blocks north on Collins and you’ll arrive in Bal Harbor, one of my all-time favorite places to stay in South Florida.
Why do I love this place so much? It has everything! Want the beach? (Of course you do, you’re in Miami!) Well, in this far-more residential stretch of town, beaches are every bit as gorgeous but quieter and more private, meaning you won’t have to endure the masses just to carve out your own bit of water-front real estate.
Also, the shopping: the Bal Harbour shops, an open-air mall, anchored by Saks and adjacent to the beach, you can spend hours-on-end browsing ultra-high-end retailers like Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Chopard and Bulgari, Dolce and Gabbana, Balenciagathe list goes on and on. And there’s more to the mall than just the clothestop-notch restaurants like Carpaccio allow you to enjoy delicious bites with indoor and outdoor seating options and, lest you feel fashion-withdrawal, the stores even have their models pound the pavement of the mall allowing you to window shop even as you sit and lunch.
And then there are the accommodations: although admittedly less of a scene than South Beach’s Delano and the like, choices like the St. Regis and Ritz Carlton Bal Harbor offer quiet luxury that allows you to rest in peace once you’re ready to leave the party for the evening. All in all, this part of town offers everything you expect fro a great trip to Miami, but at a slightly relaxed pace and with a definite upscale tick. What more could you ask for?
On this venture to the 305, I opted for an evening at the St. Regis in Bal Harbor and I could not have been happier. Each of the 227 guest rooms at the St. Regis feature floor-to-ceiling ocean views, and the suites have incredible closet space as well as distinct (and stylish!) living and dining areas. With the beach at your feet, the fabulous in-house spa and Jean-Georges’ J&J Grill in the building, you could have a full vacation without ever leaving the St. Regis property.
Much like the St. Regis, the Acqualina Resort at Sunny Isles beach offers a select number of hotel accommodations alongside permanent residences. While the Mediterranean villa style décor is lovely, and the five diamond rating is well-deserved, the resort is a little more spread out than the St. Regis and the surrounding neighborhood offers less excitement than Bal Harbor provides.
If you’re looking for a downtown location, the Epic or the Four Seasons are your best bets. Epic, a boutique hotel, has a hip vibe that jives well with the city’s night life and, as an added bonus, offers you the chance to give your pets the VIP treatment while you hit the beach or the club. In addition to offering the luxury you’ve come to expect from the brand, The Four Seasons Miami gives guests access to unique experiences like exclusive architectural tours led by reps from one of the town’s top design firms.
When you want South Beach to be your home base, you’ve got two great options: if you’re traveling with the kids (or pets), the selection of suites at Lowes gives the whole family more than enough room to relax and unwind. The Setai for the last south beach hotel.
All in all, this part of town offers everything you expect fro a great trip to Miami, but at a slightly relaxed pace and with a definite upscale tick. What more could you ask for?