I love Destination Scouting. I am so grateful my job allows me to travel on behalf of my clients, combining my passion for travel with my passion for helping others.
My most recent Scouting trip took me to Miami. I love Miami as a vacation destination, especially for people on the East Coast. Miami is a short flight and a wonderful getaway for business or pleasure.
While this was not my first time to Miami, I went into the trip with fresh eyes. I was on a mission with the goal to find the perfect hotel, restaurants, and activities for a Wellness Week – a week of relaxation and rejuvenation – for my client. Needless to say, I couldn’t wait to get started.
My client chose Miami out of convenience and ease of travel, as their guests were flying in from across the United States and Europe.
After doing my due diligence and research, I found several hotels to consider for my client: The Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour, the St. Regis, the JW Marriott Turnberry, and the Acqualina Resort & Spa.
My first stop was the Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour. I had a good feeling about my stay from the start. The Ritz leaves nothing to chance; every detail is carefully thought out with the guests’ best interests in mind. For instance, the hotel has only two rooms per floor to reduce overall noise and eliminate the likelihood of disturbances. Each room has both ocean and city views. The living and dining areas overlook the ocean and the bedrooms overlook the city.
You are met with luxurious opulence at every corner of the Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour. From the homemade special tea blend awaiting you in the lobby to the cucumber water on your way to the pool, the staff goes above and beyond to make every guest feel special.
Every day from 4pm to 7pm, the bar at the Artisan Beach House creates complimentary signature cocktails for the guests. I sampled the ‘Royal Romance,’ a delicious blend of orange flavored vodka, passion fruit, and basil. If you’re relaxing by the pool, keep your eyes open for the server passing around frozen fruit shots – they’re delicious and so refreshing on a hot day!
The Ritz also offers a Signature Bath Experience. If you’ve never tried something like this, I highly recommend it! Just let the front desk know what time you would like to indulge in the deep soaking tub. Once you’re on the schedule, an attendant will come to your room and draw your bath. Submerge yourself in the lavender-scented bath salts and recharge in the Zen aroma.
Relax by the pool in the lounge chairs or the private cabanas. Regardless of your preference, the glorious sands and turquoise ocean lie just a few feet away. Lounge chairs as well as food and beverage service are available on the beach and by the pool.
If you need to relax further, head to Exhale Spa on site for any and all your rejuvenation needs. The spa offers a variety of services and has 10 treatment rooms to ensure every guest is properly pampered.
Once you start to get hungry, check out Artisan Beach House. Serving customers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant’s expansive menu offers a bounty of flavorful entrées made with fresh and seasonal ingredients.
If you want to explore the city, the hotel provides complimentary bicycles for exploring, as well as a complimentary car service for excursions within a 9-mile radius.
The Bal Harbour area is vibrant and buzzing with activity. Venture over to the shops at Bal Harbour, an open-air shopping mall filled with many dining options and high-end stores, like Prada, Chanel, Harry Winston, Neiman Marcus, and Balenciaga.
After I explored the impressive mall, I stopped by Carpaccio. The Italian cuisine was delicious and the service was outstanding. It’s usually busy so I suggest making a reservation. Feel free to request an indoor or outdoor table – Carpaccio has both!
One of the biggest aspects of a destination scouting trip is restaurant research. It’s so important – and so fun – to try different restaurants that my clients might enjoy.
Not only did I love Carpaccio, but I also loved Atlantikos Restaurant. When you walk through the doors, the blue and white interior transports you to Greece. Enjoy traditional Mediterranean cuisine in the open and airy dining room. If you aren’t sure what to order, don’t worry. Your server will guide you.
My second hotel to check out was the St. Regis. To me, the St. Regis epitomizes refined luxury. Everything about the hotel is elegant and chic. You receive nothing short of superb service from the moment you step on the property. From the welcome glass of champagne to the smart room lighting and ultra-quiet A/C system, the hotel’s attention to detail is impeccable.
The hotel’s spacious gym facility allows guests to have great workout during their stay.
Want to take your workout outside? Borrow a complimentary bicycle, jog along the pathway outside the hotel, or walk along the beach, enjoying the sound of the ocean.
Take a dip in the gorgeous pool after your workout. Attendants are available to assist you with anything you need, be it a drink or a towel. The service also extends to the lounge chairs on the beach.
If you want to take your relaxation up a notch, the large spa at the St. Regis is nothing short of luxurious. Treat yourself to utter bliss, and book a spa treatment or mani/pedi for yourself after a day in the sun.
After an afternoon at the pool or spa (or both!), stop by the lounge for a drink and enjoy a delightful live performance by a talented piano player.
After a busy day, I recommend visiting The Grille at St. Regis. The Grille offers a variety of steak and seafood options and a selection of delicious wines to pair with your meal. I can attest that the service at The Grille is outstanding; it’s attentive without being overly intrusive, which truly enhanced my dining experience. When you call to make a reservation, request one of the cozy half circle booths!
Regardless of where you stay in Miami, one thing is a given: You won’t be able to get enough of the ocean. Whether you walk along the beach, bask in the sun, or jump into the waves, the ocean is magnificent and utterly irresistible!
Before I knew it, it was time to head to the JW Marriott Turnberry. While the Ritz Carlton and St. Regis were within walking distance to each other, the JW Marriott Turnberry was a short car ride away. Located conveniently between the Miami International Airport and the Fort Lauderdale Airport, the hotel is easily accessible.
Although the JW Marriott Turnberry is a drive to the beach, the grounds are spectacular. Set on 300 acres of land, the hotel is more like a small city. Everything is available to you on the property, including Starbucks! Yes, you read that correctly. The JW Marriott Turnberry has their very own Starbucks just a few steps from the lobby.
Before I dive any further into the details of the resort, I have to give the developer of the resort, Mr. Donald Soffer, proper recognition for this incredible property. I think it’s amazing that Mr. Soffer sketched out his vision for the resort on a napkin when the area was nothing but overgrown swampland. Fast forward to today and the hotel is one of the most impressive resort properties in the nation. Thank you, Mr. Soffer!
The JW Marriott Turnberry has 685 rooms and suites, each with a private terrace. The rooms are sleek, chic, and minimalistic; decorated in tasteful neutral tones. I loved waking up to a view of the golf course every morning. Every staff member was friendly, helpful, and willing to do anything and everything to make my stay and resort experience enjoyable.
Whether you choose Corsair Kitchen and Bar, Bourbon Steak Restaurant or Surf House Bar & Grill, you’ll be dining like royalty at the resort! Learn about the hotel’s history and Mr. Soffer’s influence as you peruse the collection of photos on the walls of Soff’s Lounge.
Guests who golf have access to two 18-hole golf courses at the JW Marriott Turnberry: The Miller and The Soffer. Mr. Soffer still comes to property to play golf each week – maybe you’ll even get a glimpse of the man himself!
The property has a 120,000 square foot function space for conventions, meetings, and weddings. The hotel also has an adult only pool, a family pool, and Tidal Cove, an aquatic area with a mini water park, a lazy river, and a wave machine.
You didn’t hear it from me but the Kansas City Chiefs will call this resort home for the 2020 Superbowl in February. ?
Furthermore, the JW Marriott Turnberry is a huge proponent of wellness. The state-of-the-art gym and spa are beyond anything I have seen at a hotel in the past – and that is saying something!
Housed in its own 25,000 square foot building, the three-floor wellness center is all about the guest experience. The first-floor reception area welcomes guests with a gorgeous lobby and a full salon for any hair and mani/pedi needs. If you climb the grand staircase to the second floor, you’ll reach the spa treatment area. The second floor has locker rooms, steam rooms, a Himalayan Salt Suite, a Cryogenic chamber, an Infrared Sauna, facial Cryogenic treatments, light therapy, salt water shell float, chiropractors, laser acupuncture and a variety of spa treatment options. You could spend your whole stay in the spa!
Depending on your service of choice, you may have the luxury of trying two innovative treatment tables! One table is filled with warm sand to ensure you have the perfect support for your body during the treatment. Another table is an aqua bed equipped with light therapy and filled with water to help rejuvenate your body.
If you ascend another flight, you’ll reach the incredible gym. The massive space has a large assortment of cardio equipment, weights, machines, a spinning room, a yoga room, a Pilates Reformer room, and a group exercise room. Try one of the fitness classes or reserve a personal trainer for your workout needs. If you’re in the mood for something else, head outside to the 3-mile jogging trail around the property. I couldn’t believe the gym had so much to offer!
After scoping out the impressive wellness center, I enjoyed a sumptuous lunch at Corsair Kitchen and Bar. While I had the option of dining in the AC indoors, I chose to sit outside at a table with a spectacular view of the golf course. The farm-to-table, open kitchen restaurant uses the freshest ingredients and can make anything to order. I dined on the chef’s specialty menu which consisted of veggies and hummus, pear salad, BBQ salmon with grilled vegetables, and a kiwi parfait for dessert. The portions were small and light so I was completely satisfied without feeling nauseatingly full.
My meal was absolutely delicious, and the service was above and beyond – and I don’t say this lightly. For instance, when I ordered a Diet Coke, the server apologized and said they only had Diet Pepsi available. I understood and said I would have a water instead. A few moments after my meal was delivered, the server came over with a tall glass of ice and can of Diet Coke. I have no idea where it came from, but she was able to get it for me. Needless to say, A++ service.
The JW Marriott Turnberry has such a palpable energy. I felt the invigorating vibe during my whole stay, particularly while enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail at Soff’s lounge as I listened to the live piano music.
I had to check out Bourbon Steak Restaurant for dinner. I was intrigued by the décor of the restaurant with its dark leather furniture, wooden tones, and half circle booths. I decided to try the namesake Bourbon Steak for dinner. Both my steak and wine pairing were outstanding. You definitely need to make a reservation but it’s well worth it.
If you’re looking for a family getaway, group event, a friends’ trip, or a golf excursion, the JW Marriott Turnberry is the place to go.
I ended my Destination Scouting trip back at the beach at my final hotel, Acqualina Resort and Spa. The grandeur of the lobby and charm of the welcoming staff kicked my experience off on a wonderful note. I felt right at home in the resort’s elegant and warm atmosphere right from the start, and I couldn’t wait to see what the rest of the hotel had to offer.
Acqualina is a perfect place for families, businessmen/women, and leisure travelers. The resort has separate pools for families, lounge chairs for all, and private cabanas for those in search of shade or privacy. You can also request beds with sun canopies on the beach.
If you want to grab a bite to eat without missing out on prime tanning hours, Costa Grill provides full food and beverage services on the grassy area between the pool and beach which is furnished with relaxing couches and coffee tables . Everything is made to order with fresh seasonal ingredients. It truly is the perfect lunch spot to relax and enjoy the sound of the ocean, children playing on the beach, and the happenings of the resort.
After a day in the sun, I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at IL Mulino, an upscale Italian-inspired restaurant. Upon arrival, you immediately notice the timeless elegance of the restaurant. Enjoy one of the traditional Italian entrées or sample a market-fresh daily special if you prefer. Pair your entrée with one of the delicious wines from their extensive selection. The service will be flawless – just like your experience.
With everything in one building, Acqualina is easy to manage and navigate. The fitness center is open 24/7 and equipped to accommodate any and all of your fitness needs.
The fabulous Acqualina Spa by ESPA is tucked away on a separate floor. As you wait for your treatment, enjoy the healing properties of the Himalayan Salt walls in the center of the relaxation room. The relaxation room is so peaceful; you’ll never want to leave! I suggest using the wet and dry sauna at the very beginning of your spa journey before your treatment.
After your treatment, don’t leave without visiting the Himalayan Salt Intention Bowl. I loved this idea and hope you will too! You take one of the cards and write an intention you would like to manifest. You place the card in the salt crystals in the bowl with the idea that it will manifest itself for you!
My room – or shall I say ‘Super Suite’ – blew me away. My room was more like a small home, complete with a full kitchen, dining area, living room, guest room/office, half bath, master bedroom, and a beautiful master bathroom. Did I mention the breathtaking views of Miami Beach from my terrace?
Between the incredible hotels to the delicious restaurants, I left Miami with plenty of options to recommend to my client. Mission accomplished!
