Miami Stays In Its Luxurious Lane
Photo Courtesy of Lou La Vie
For people who appreciate luxury travel, Miami offers more than the allure of glitz and glam, sunshine and sand. From exotic vehicle rentals to awe-inspiring spas, South Florida provides an abundance of lavish experiences that will satiate your desire to live large.
Acqualina Spa by ESPA, Photo Courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Spa
For the serenity seeker
Relax and unwind at Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Acqualina Spa by ESPA. The luxury spa at Five-Star Acqualina Resort & Spa is a Mediterranean retreat set on the pristine beaches of Sunny Isles. It’s the quintessential destination for those wanting a serene tropical escape. The 20,000-square-foot spa emanates pampering, starting with stunning oceanfront views from the beautiful terrace — it has a spa pool and grand amenities like a Roman waterfall and dry-heat Finnish sauna. Go all out and book an after-hours private spa experience, complete with a custom-designed treatment for two in your suite and a romantic candlelit dinner on the pool deck.
For the car enthusiast
Rev up your weekend by taking a teched-out Audi or a head-turning Rolls Royce for a spin. Think “Rent the Runway” on wheels at Lou La Vie, the company that lets you borrow all the horsepower you could ever dream of. Customers can live out their full-throttled fantasies in the latest exotic roadsters and luxury car models — from the Lamborghini Aventador and Corvette Stingray convertible to the Rolls Royce Ghost — for a single day or several months.
Lou La Vie will deliver a vehicle right to you and take you for a quick test drive before tossing you the keys. In addition to premium car loans, membership specials include track rentals and exclusive VIP event access to the showroom, which doubles as an art gallery.
Bal Harbour Shops, Photo Courtesy of Bal Harbour Shops
For the elite shopper
Known for its luxury stores and ambience, legendary Bal Harbour Shops is a fashionista’s mecca. Fun fact: When it opened in 1965 on what was once World War II army barracks, Bal Harbour Shops became Florida’s first exclusively high-fashion shopping center. At 45,000 square feet, the two-story, open-air mall is now home to more than 100 couture stores, including Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Hublot and Alexander McQueen.
After a day of retail therapy, indulge your gastronomic senses at an upscale eatery like Stephen Starr’s ode to sublime Japanese, Makoto, or his French brasserie, Le Zoo.
For the food and wine aficionado
On the ground floor of downtown Miami’s Epic Hotel, you can actually pull up and dock at the property’s marina right in front of the restaurant Zuma. As you enter, the stellar service and dramatic décor set the stage — see expansive Japanese rice panels extending from above and floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping water views.
Chef Rainer Becker’s modern take on sophisticated Japanese cuisine is inspired by informal izakaya-style dining in which alluring takes on tataki, sashimi and robata grill items are continuously brought to the table.
Zuma is also known for its impressive wine selection — 365 varieties of wine and more than 80 sakes. Hailed as a place for celeb sightings, you might find yourself dining next to the likes of David Beckham, Will Smith or Gwyneth Paltrow.
