USA - Miami
by Susie Howard
Stepping off the plane at Miami International Airport I felt both excited and nervous, as a black stretched limousine awaited our arrival and whisked us up the famous Collins Avenue to the Aqualina Hotel at Sunny Isle. The weather was warm, but with 40 mile per hour winds forecast!
Soaring over the Atlantic the Aqualina is an oceanfront masterpiece graced with panoramic vistas of the sea and Miami’s glittering skyline. The grand 51-storey tower is home to a 97-room ultra luxury resort and 188 lavish residences. The hotel also boasts four swimming pools, an ESPA spa and a private beach of course! Another selling point for the hotel is its close proximity to the Bal Harbour shops where the exclusive mall houses everyone from Bulgari to YSL.
The heart of Miami is South Beach, this is the Art Deco district which also offers hotels such as the Ritz Carlton, The Setai and the Delano, we visited the Ritz Carlton with its luxurious oceanfront position, being just steps away from dining, nightlife, shopping and entertainment. Its features include a Spa, the world’s only Tanning Butler, a Ritz Kids programme with a myriad of activities and three spectacular restaurants including the only oceanfront restaurant on Miami Beach.
The Setai, which oozes sophistication from top to toe, is made up of 2 buildings, the Art Deco building at the front and the Tower behind, which overlooks the Ocean, the décor throughout has a huge Asian influence and is dark and contemporary, there is also a very trendy courtyard area with tranquillity pools, three restaurants specialising in authentic Asian cuisine and a wonderful Spa bringing the traditions of the Pacific Rim to South Beach.