During a recent visit to Acqualina Resort & Residences, a top-ranked hotel on Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best List, I was blown away by the hotel’s remarkable ability to make us feel right at home. Since its opening in 2006, the resort has wowed guests with its grand Italianate staircases and cream-colored limestone — more reminiscent of Old Cutler Road than the minimalist design typical of some Miami Beach hotels — and, as I discovered, the loyal following is well-deserved.
“Acqualina is independently owned and family-run,” Alexandra Wensley, vice president of communications, tells T+L. “That may be why it has so many awards for personalized services and a spacious atmosphere.”Last year’s multi-million-dollar renovation revitalized the lobby and rooms and gave us a fresh backdrop to enjoy all the little ways that personal touch shined through.
From the moment we arrived, it was clear that guests at Acqualina are treated like family. Alongside prosecco and sparkling water, we were offered apple juice in a sippy cup as a welcome drink. Later, as we headed to Avra, the resort’s newest restaurant, an associate personally escorted us over the bridge instead of giving directions.
Throughout our stay, it seemed our needs were anticipated in ways I couldn’t have imagined myself: One morning at breakfast when my 4-year-old rejected her porcelain-plated cheese — one of her five approved foods but apparently not the right kind of cheese — a team of servers swooped in with individual tubs of Nutella and peanut butter along with a basket of bread. It was as if they’d seen this all play out before, and her dad and I could relax knowing everyone would eat.
Perhaps that’s why so many return or invest for the long term. “More than half of our guests return again after visiting, sometimes several times a year,” says Wensley. Upon arriving in our room, a one-bedroom suite with a view of the ocean and a separate office that could double as Alex’s room, we immediately saw why.
From sunrise breakfasts on the balcony, crafts in the new AcquaMarine kids’ club, and games-filled afternoons between the recreation pool and the beach under those iconic red umbrellas, here is what to know about Acqualina Resort & Residences in Sunny Isles.
The Rooms
One of the biggest luxuries here is space, with just under 100 rooms and suites spread over nearly five acres — though the resort’s substantial grounds take up almost 12. Rooms come in three levels: standard, one-bedroom suites, and two- and three-bedroom suites. All have private balconies or terraces and are between 600 and 2,000 square feet. We loved the eat-in kitchen where we had breakfast overlooking the ocean and the separate den that could be used as an office or child’s room. Kitchens have been revitalized with white Italian stone slab countertops, adding brightness to fancy appliances fit for a private chef. Updated bathrooms have a Roman bathhouse feel with arches inlaid in travertine and new wall-to-wall marble vanities.
Food & Drink
The culinary options at Acqualina are equally impressive, with four dining venues that cater to every palate.
Two New York City offshoots make their home here: Il Mulino New York, a revered Italian spot, and the new Avra, a high-design Greek restaurant from Manhattan’s Madison Avenue. In addition to the people, there are beautiful things to see everywhere: a five-foot ceramic pot suspended over the entrance bar, a trellised front dining room bursting with bougainvillea, a formal dining area with soaring ceilings, and monolithic wall art. Legions of staff paraded about with elevated Greek dishes like “chips,” razor-thin deep-fried vegetables served in a Jenga stack with tzatziki, and whole roast fish, carved tableside.
Despite its upscale ambiance, the staff effortlessly accommodated my family’s needs, ensuring everyone had a great time. We appreciated how each venue was flexible and sensitive to our needs. Avra has no kids’ menu, but the chef gladly revised a chicken entree. Room service called to confirm (and cancel) a second order my daughter put in from the handheld device. The gelato bar was a welcome respite from the afternoon sun.
Activities and Experiences
After the exemplary service, Acqualina’s wealth of activities and amenities may be where it shines the most. Between the hotel’s buildings and the beach, a playground of defined-crowd pools and seaside games comes to life.
There’s AcquaMarine kids club and the activity pool in the middle, where a soccer field, basketball court, and life-sized chess board were all in play. My daughter made friends at the kids’ club, and later, we met more friends at the zero-entry family pool. Meanwhile, for a quieter afternoon, there’s an adults-only pool surrounded by plush cabanas and daybeds. I was particularly impressed by the attentive beach attendant who arranged our lounges, umbrellas, and side tables in the right spot on the beach and delighted my daughter with a treasure trove of sand toys.
Family-friendly Offerings
The AcquaMarine kids’ program combines arts and crafts, exercise, learning, and play and is an excellent way for everyone to have time to do something they love. It’s a complimentary service on weekends and can be reserved during the week — book a day in advance. I was impressed by the two-way mirror that let us have a view while my daughter felt completely independent and the high-tech security system.
Accessibility and Sustainability
Acqualina is dedicated to sustainability in several ways, namely through its food and beverage program, which uses measures such as sugarcane takeout containers, agave cutlery, carton water, and a commitment to sourcing 50 percent of its ingredients locally.
The resort is also committed to guests with disabilities, ensuring that they can access the entirety of its facilities and accommodations.
Location
Acqualina is located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale along Florida’s Atlantic coast. Either airport is easily accessible: the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is just 12 miles away, and the Miami International Airport (MIA) is just 20 minutes away.
Off-property, Acqualina is less than 15 minutes away from the famed Bal Harbour Shops, and the endless nightlife and dining options in South Beach are a straight shot down A1A.
How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay
Breakfast is included in every booking, a value that was added to reservations in 2024. Depending on the level of room reserved, each day includes a voucher for $114 to $343 that can be used for room service or in the main restaurant. You can order a la carte at the restaurant or there’s a massive breakfast buffet with freshly baked breads and an omelet bar. Spa vouchers are also included in each reservation. A daily $45 credit per adult can be used toward any treatment.
Work with the concierge to set up almost any activity from scuba lessons to monofin swimming. You may not want to leave the property but there are nearby activities worth checking out. Bal Harbor Shops has luxury shopping and excellent dining options like Makoto, a sushi spot with interiors by India Mahdavi. Over the bridge, an art walk at Aventura Mall has a nine-story slide installation that you can ride if you’re willing to climb.