The first thing I noticed when driving up to the entrance was the Old World architectural features including stately iron gates, sculpted archways, Baroque fountains and a grand porte-cochere with a domed cupola.

Once inside the soaring marble lobby, my check-in was a discreet affair, with such indelicate necessities as payment details remaining practically unspoken before my friend and I were personally escorted to our suite by the receptionist. The suite overlooked the property’s three pools and the Atlantic Ocean and offered one of the largest and most well appointed hotel bathrooms I’ve ever seen.

The first thing we did after unpacking was to make our way down to the oceanfront Costa Grill for lunch. Sitting under the palm trees with the other guests, most of whom wore Euro chic outfits rather than bathing suits, we ordered cocktails to go along with our lobster tail and prawn lunches. Service, even here at this more casual venue, was impeccable.

Afterwards, I headed up to Richard & Company, the beauty salon located on the property, as I was in desperate need of a hair cut. The fates were with me and I was booked in with Ricardo, who turned out to be a styling master. It’s not only Ricardo’s talents that are cutting edge, but also his gallery of past clients. Discuss potential hair styles with him and he’ll pull out his cell phone and scroll through photos he’s taken of his clients’ cuts. Count on it, I will be booking in with Ricardo again whenever I’m next in the area.

That evening, we dined at Acqualina’s restaurant, Il Mulino, which is an offshoot of the original located in Manhattan that’s received a #1 Italian Restaurant rating from Zagat for an astonishing 20 years. As another reviewer put it, “Snagging a table at Il Mulino -- one of the best and most expensive classic Italian restaurants in the city -- is more difficult than earning respect from the Corleones.” And, indeed, the Corleone reference is apt. Once I’d walked through the doors, I felt as though I’d stepped back in time. With its white table cloths, red carpeting, uniformed waiters and sideboards groaning under the weight of breads, wine bottles, cheeses and fruit, it’s the kind of upscale Italian eatery where you’d have expected to see the Rat Pack in the ‘50s. As soon as we were seated, the wait staff presented us with a wedge of Parmigiano cut from an enormous wheel of cheese, along with a generous bread basket, a dish of bruschetta and one of spicy fried zucchini. We both chose the veal picatta as our entrée and it was fabulous – tender and sauced to perfection.  

Next day, we visited Acqualina’s spa, which is the first ESPA to open in the U.S. I’d been to an ESPA in Switzerland and so I knew that we’d be in for a treat. ESPA offers a series of innovative and restorative treatments inspired by the ancient traditions of Chinese, Ayurvedic, European, Balinese and Thai cultures. The 20,000-square-foot, two-story ESPA at Acqualina is a tranquil sanctuary that encompasses 16 treatment rooms and an outdoor spa veranda with a heated jet pool and fresh-water pool.

We arrived early in order to take advantage of the spa’s European heat experience areas: a Finnish Sauna, a Crystal Steam Room, Ice Fountain and an Experience Shower with Cool Arctic and Warm Caribbean mists. Once we’d steamed, showered, sweated and otherwise immersed ourselves in the indoor facilities, we made our way outside to the pool and Jacuzzi area before being shown to the Private Spa Treatment Suite for our `ESPA Time’ experience. ESPA Time is two or more hours of individual time designed to suit your individual needs. After a one-on-one consultation with the therapist, he or she will determine which spa treatments will meet your needs best and the result is personalized treatments and a completely individualized experience in every respect, right down to the products used throughout your treatments. Because I’d been to ESPA in Europe, I’ve been using their products for quite some time now. You must try the instantly conditioning Pink Hair and Scalp Mud (www.espaonline.com).

In order to extend the relaxing effects of our spa treatments, we followed them up by booking a private poolside cabana. Here, padded lounge chairs, personal flat screen televisions and fluffy pool towels are served up, along with individualized sunscreen, bottled water and, of course, ice-cold cocktails.  

If you’re looking for a resort that offers truly first-class service and pampering accommodations and amenities, look no further than Acqualina. It’s no wonder that the property was recently named one of the 100 most exquisite resorts in the world by Robb Report magazine.

17875 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160