The Location:  Acqualina Resort is in the northern part of the Miami Metropolitan Area.  The vibe is very laid back as Collins Avenue is lined with luxury residential high-rises.  If you love to shop, there are plenty of options with Bal Harbour Shops and Aventura Mall a short drive away.  If you want a change of scenery, it will take you 30 minutes to get to South Beach or Brickell.

The Rooms:  I stayed at a one-bedroom suite with an amazing ocean view.  Even if you’re not a morning person like me, you MUST set your alarm and take in the glorious sunrise view from the property.  The suites are spacious and come with a fully equipped kitchen, living room, office, bedroom, and one and a half bathroom.  The decor is modern and minimal with neutral tones which place you in vacation mode right away.

The Property:  Upon entering the property, you are engulfed in luxury.  I was welcomed with champagne upon arrival, and a staff member gave me a personal tour of the property and accompanied me to my suite.  The property has three pools for hotel guests, a private pool at  ESPA Spa.  I didn’t get the chance to swim at the pool but they all looked very enticing.  I did have the chance to go to the beach in the late afternoon and that was the one part I was a bit disappointed by.  Although the pool staff set us up with chairs and towels, the beach area was dirty with garbage lining the beautiful shoreline.  I did address it with the management and they explained that the city was responsible for the upkeep of the beach and they were going to bring it to their attention.

The Food:  The breakfast at the Acqualina Resort is a must.  I indulged in their vast selection of fruit, breads, and cheeses. There is also an extensive selection of hot choices and an omelet bar.  I also dined one evening at the AQ by Acqualina.  The menu is not as extensive as the flagship restaurant Il Mulino New York, but it holds its own with simple yet delicious dishes such as the kale salad and steamed salmon with purple potatoes.

The Spa:  I had a massage done at ESPA, the spa on property.  I had a tour of the facility by one of the friendly staff members who showed me the private pool and steam rooms which spa guests have exclusive access to when they purchase a treatment.  The massage was epic.  I really did not want it to end.  I was bummed that I had to go to my conference in the afternoon and miss out on staying at the spa after my treatment.

The Verdict:  What I think the Acqualina Resort does perfectly is service.  I almost felt as if the staff was reading my mind as my needs were always anticipated.  Everyone from the front desk to the valet to the housekeeping staff was friendly and looked like they loved working at the resort.  There’s a balance with feeling pampered and feeling overwhelmed by the attention that is difficult to strike.  The Acqualina does it perfectly.  So far,  the best service, amenities, and spa I’ve seen in the United States.

Info: Acqualina Resort & Spa, www.acqualinaresort.com

Disclaimer:  I was hosted by Acqualina Resort & Spa. As always, opinions are my own.

The post Never Want to Leave: Acqualina Resort, Miami appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

The Scene:  As I walked by the gorgeous vertical planters (a design aspect I’m fascinated with), I was immediately taken by the modern simplicity of the restaurant with its open kitchen, dark woods, and ample dining area.  November weather in Miami is just right for outdoor dining, so we had lunch outdoors at their ample patio.  The outdoor dining area was filled with Brickell and Key Biscayne movers and shakers having their power lunch.  Despite the execs running around, scent of the sea, sunny skies, and colorful dishes give the restaurant a very relaxed vibe, ideal for a friendly catch-up session with a good friend.

The Food: My friend chose the prix fixe menu which started with a dish of three miniature samplings of classics such as causa and ceviche, followed by a lomo saltado (a traditional Peruvian dish with beef and potatoes), and ended with mascarpone ice cream.  All the dishes arrived promptly and were beautifully presented.

Given that there’s no Gaston Acurio restaurant in DC, I decided to order the regular menu and indulge in some of my favorites: causa and ceviche. My causa (a Peruvian dish of stuffed mashed potato) was plated on an adorable small wooden boat with its colorful toppings of beets, octopus, and tuna tartare.  Almost too pretty to eat!  Not to miss: the ceviche.  Ceviche has become a trendy dish of late, however, many miss the mark when it comes to the balance of the citrus with the fish.  I must say that the ceviche at La Mar struck that balance exquisitely.

The Service:  One of the things I love about Miami is the Latin warmth I encounter in many of the establishments of the city.  You can see this with the staff at La Mar Restaurant as well with their smiles and attentiveness.  Our server knew the menu by heart and took the time to explain to my friend some of the dishes she wasn’t familiar with.  I not only saw this attention to detail with our table but with those around us, especially a table of indecisive businessmen.

The verdict:  Lunch at La Mar Restaurant is a must add to your Miami itinerary.  I have been a fan of Gaston Acurio, the man behind La Mar, since I dined at Astrid y Gaston in Santiago, Chile four years ago.  That memorable dinner ingrained in me a love affair with Peruvian food and this experience continues to reaffirm it. Hopefully the next time I get to dine at his restaurant in Lima!

The post Travel Eats: La Mar Restaurant, Miami appeared first on The Dining Traveler.