The beachfront luxury resort with the famous red chairs, couches and umbrellas is back in the news again.
The elegant Mediterranean-style Acqualina Resort & Residences in Sunny Isles Beach has been named the best destination resort in the country in the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards by USA Today. It was also named one of the top three waterfront hotels in the country.
The 4.5-acre property, which has 98 guest rooms and suites and 188 residences, is also home to the upscale restaurant Il Mulino New York and Ke-uH Japanese restaurant, as well as the Spa by Espa, which was No. 3 on the list of best hotel spas (the Ritz-Carlton spa in Orlando took top honors, with the spa at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa at No. 7).
Here’s what 10Best wrote about the property: “Located on the Florida Riviera, this award-winning Miami resort’s setting resembles an all-inclusive villa, with a vast tropical beachfront and luxurious extras like fresh fruit and homemade biscotti delivered to the rooms, a marine biology-based children’s program and heavenly spa access. Lavish accommodations boast stunning views, while three pools add to the appeal.”
The Spa by Espa was praised for its separate relaxation areas for men and women, plus “a Finnish sauna, crystal steam room, ice fountains and an experience shower. The oceanfront spa pool deck features a heated jet pool with a Roman waterfall.”
“We are honored to be recognized,” said CEO and partner Deborah Yager Fleming. “We have worked very hard to achieve and maintain a high level of excellence, and I am so proud of our incredible team.”
A family-owned and -operated resort, Acqualina also earned a Forbes Five-Star Award for the hotel and spa for 10 consecutive years, as well as the AAA Five Diamond for 14 consecutive years. The property was also named one of the best hotels in the country by U.S. News & World report in May.
In the category for best hotel pool, 1 Hotel South Beach was ranked No. 4 in the country. 10Best praised it because “guests not only have access to 600 feet of white sand Atlantic beach, they also have their choice of four sparkling swimming pools: the family friendly Center Pool, third floor Cabana Pool, beachfront South Pool and the adults-only Rooftop Pool 18 floors above the beach.” 1 Hotel South Beach was also named one of the top three eco-friendly hotels in the U.S.
The Carillon Miami Wellness Resort in Miami Beach was named one of the top 10 health and wellness resorts in the country, praised for its 750-foot stretch of private beach, well-appointed suites and its range of rejuvenating treatments and fitness programs focusing on physical and emotional health.
USA Today uses a panel of experts and its 10Best editors to select the top 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners are chosen by popular vote.
More information
Acqualina Resort & Residences: 17875 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach; www.acqualinaresort.com; 305-918-8000
1 Hotel South Beach: 2341 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; www.1hotels.com/south-beach; 305-604-1000
Carillon Miami Wellness Resort: 6801 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; www.carillonhotel.com; 866-800-3858
This story was originally published August 26, 2022 12:44 PM.