Acqualina Resort & Residences is my favorite hotel in Miami for the perfect family vacation. My two children love staying there and always beg to go back.
The property recently got a reboot of its Mediterranean villa-style aesthetic, and they make the property that much more appealing. The changes include a stunning lobby, a decadent adult pool experience, a new AcquaMarine kids club, upgraded rooms and suites and jazzed up restaurants.
The team behind the facelift includes owners Jules and Stephanie Trump, CEO Deborah Yager Fleming and the renowned designer Isabel Tragash of STA Architectural Group.
A Contemporary Light-Filled Lobby
The somewhat faded red fabrics in the lobby have been replaced with bright whites and accents of lustrous black millwork. Sleek furniture, bespoke rugs from Nepal, Brazilian marble, sumptuous velvet chenille fabrics and touches of smoke glass and warm metallic accents also figure in.
Your Home Away From Home
The 98 rooms and suites now feature elegant Miami Sofa Beds, glass-topped bronze metal end tables from Italy and other metals accents. The bathrooms have Italian marble floors, separate glass-enclosed showers, white textured wallpaper, LED-lit Italian sconces and Molteni vanities.
Indulgence by the Pool
The ocean view adult pool has been elevated with loveseats where you can spend the day reading a dishy novel or simply relaxing, daybeds and modern chaise lounges. I love the signature Acqualina hats and Hampton Sun products that the staff spoils you with when you book one of the four crimson cabanas.
A World of Wonder
Acqualina offers one of the best kids clubs around. Called AcquaMarine, it’s for children ages 4 to 12 and free for guests. It features a fun center with toys and a learning lab. It’s a great program to immerse the kids in marine biology while giving them the chance to make new friends on vacation.
Let’s Not Leave Out the Food
Acqualina has such an array of restaurants to choose from that you won’t want to leave the resort. For delicious, fresh sushi, there’s Ke-uH with outdoor dining overlooking the ocean. Il Mulino is a staple for Italian food, and you can’t beat Costa Grill for a delicious lunch beachside (the salads are a must!).
Avra, the buzzy Greek eatery from New York is a recent addition to the lineup. The gorgeous space opened at the new Estates at Acqualina, connected to the resort by a skybridge. Designed by STA Architectural Group, Avra offers a larger than life space with floor to ceiling windows, a bougainvillea-entwined pergola and three salt stone sculptures.
Incredible Experiences
In addition to the property’s renovation, Acqualina’s concierge has partnered with the Miami tourism board on excursions for its guests that allow them to explore the area. These memorable adventures include trekking on trees at Jungle Island and hitting Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. This National Historic Landmark in Coconut Grove is an early 20th century estate with a 32 room decked out home and ten acres of the most gorgeous gardens that I’ve ever seen.