THE multi faceted-mirrored entrance hall of the St Regis Bal Harbour Resort reflects the blazing afternoon sun as I enter this glamorous hotel. With crystal chandeliers looming above the expansive black marble floor, this resort comprises of three all-glass towers, rising 27 shiny storeys high.
The entrance hall at the St Regis Bal Harbour Resort
Boasting the largest hotel rooms in Florida, this seafront structure has been designed so that each one of its rooms has its own balcony with a sea view. Oversized bathrooms and walk-in dressing rooms lead onto a sprawling bedroom and sitting area, complimented with every hi-tech gadget imaginable including a lighting system that captures your mood.
St Regis Bal Harbour Guestroom View
St Regis Bal Harbour Grand Luxe Oceanfront King Bathroom
One of the most striking features of the property is its picture-perfect outdoor area, which leads onto the palm-lined and manicured beach path, a winding walkway running alongside the entire Bal Harbour coastline. It’s a popular (and very safe) daily walkway for thousands of residents and guests of the Miami Beach area, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and swanky apartments and hotels on the other side. Take a complimentary bike and enjoy a cycle before breakfast to experience the cool air before the Floridian temperature kicks in.
Beach Walk path at the St Regis Bal Harbour Resort
St Regis loungers on the Bal Harbour coastline
Hotel amenities include an indulgent spa featuring hot and cold plunge pools with twelve treatment rooms, two ocean-view swimming pools and beach villas, which can be hired for the day. I enjoyed taking advantage of the Bentley courtesy car, which whisked me off on a few local trips during my stay (maximum six-mile radius permitted).
St Regis Bal Harbour La Gourmandise restaurant
With four restaurants on offer, from the casual BH burger bar to La Gourmandise, an indulgent French eatery, guests don’t have to venture far to satisfy their appetite. There is even an option to for an in-room dining experience with a personal chef.
La Gourmandise restaurant terrace at the St Regis Bal Harbour Resort
The hotel is conveniently located on Collins Avenue, directly opposite the open-air Bal Harbour Shops, the largest grossing per-square-foot shopping centre in the world, which is anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
Open-air shopping at The Colonnade, Sawgrass Mills
For designer bargains, head to the palm tree-fringed shopping outlet at The Colonnade, Sawgrass Mills, only a 40-minute drive from Bal Harbour. Expect staggering discounts of up to 80 per cent on previous season’s selection of American and European designers, including Jimmy Choo, Prada and Gucci.One of the largest discount shopping outlets in the USA, the property is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation, taking the fun and exciting experience of cut-price shopping to another level.
Designer shopping at The Colonnade, Sawgrass Mills
But for those guests who want to simply kick back and relax, there is no need to ever leave the comfort of their bedroom. Or balcony.
by Amanda Bernstein
For more information about St Regis Bal Harbour Resort go here
and The Colonnade, go here