La Dolce Vita - General Release

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Robyn Ross
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Experience “La Dolce Vita” at Acqualina Resort & Spa on the BeachMediterranean Grandeur in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida

The ability to truly embrace the philosophy of “La Dolce Vita,” or the good life, lies in the details.  At first glance, Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach offers all of the required amenities for a world-class resort vacation, from its palatial architecture and beachfront location to its award-winning spa and #1 Zagat-rated Italian restaurant.  But if one looks a bit closer, at the details, the true foundation of the resort’s philosophy becomes apparent. Whether it is receiving an hourly complimentary pool amenity – from a refreshing gelato to a essential oil-infused face towel – at precisely the perfect moment in the afternoon, being treated to room-delivered homemade biscotti and a fresh Bellini upon arrival, or participating in a one-on-one painting class, Acqualina offers all of its guests a taste of La Dolce Vita, from the moment they arrive until their wistful departure. From the instant the guest pulls into the ornate porte-cochere, he or she is treated with the utmost care, leaving nothing to chance and with one goal in mind: complete and utter luxury.  Guests enter the building and pass beneath the domed Gallery lobby, decorated in rich hues and designed to look and feel like a grand Venetian palace.  They are then greeted and directly escorted to their room, where the personalized check-in process takes place. A look around will reveal Acqualina’s inviting guestroom or suite, created in a natural, beach-inspired palette with rich upholstery and finishes, providing a sleek, opulent feel with the comfort of a beach house.  A welcome amenity of fresh seasonal fruit, homemade biscotti and fresh Bellinis, hand delivered by the welcoming presence of Acqualina’s personal greeter, “La Bella,” lends a friendly touch and allows the vacation to begin without delay.  After having a chance to settle in, guests have an array of activities to choose from, or may choose to simply lie on the beach or bask in the sun at one of the resort’s three oceanfront pools.  A knowledgeable concierge is on hand to assist guests in planning the perfect holiday with the right level of activity, both on-property and in nearby locations such as Bal Harbour, Miami Beach and Ft. Lauderdale. For those looking for a more active vacation, Acqualina offers a fitness center and can arrange water sports on the beach as well as golf and tennis for guests at nearby clubs.  Acqualina’s signature children’s program, AcquaMarine, highlights the field of marine biology and provides a wealth of fun and educational activities for both children and teens.

For the spa lover, the 20,000-square-foot oceanfront ESPA at Acqualina is the UK-based spa leader’s first branded spa facility in the United States.  Spanning two stories, the spa features 11 multi-functional treatment rooms, four spa treatment rooms and a private spa suite for two, and an outdoor terrace with a spa pool and a heated jet pool with a Roman waterfall. Groundbreaking in design and cutting edge in spa expertise, ESPA’s philosophy is to combine the best of ancient and modern therapies with the finest quality ingredients and skincare advances.  ESPA also brings its unique approach to the pool areas, with a trained reflexology therapist offering 15-minute poolside treatments. ESPA at Acqualina was recently awarded the best spa in the categories of “Best for Luxury,” “Best for Accommodations,” and “Best for Interior Design” in the 2007 Spa Finder Readers’ Choice Awards and 2008 Conde Nast Traveller Top Spas in The Americas and Caribbean. Dining options at Acqualina are most definitely in line with the resort’s La Dolce Vita philosophy.  The resort’s Costa Grill provides pool and beachside dining with a St. Tropez feel.  Open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Costa Grill is ideal for lunch, an afternoon snack or gelato, or a sunset cocktail.  On Friday and Saturday nights, Costa Grill hosts a special Beachfront Grill Night with gourmet barbeque favorites, specialty drinks and live Mediterranean entertainment, and on Friday nights hosts “Cinema Paradiso,” a fun-filled evening of movies under the stars, complete with popcorn.  Acqualina is also home to the acclaimed Italian restaurant Il Mulino New York. Renowned for its bustling and energetic atmosphere, market fresh daily specials, extensive selection of fine Italian wines and an impeccably polished wait staff, Il Mulino New York brings with it a reputation of tremendous success, including a #1 Italian Restaurant rating in New York City by Zagat for an astonishing 20 years.  Il Mulino is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Acqualina also features Aaria Bar and Lounge with indoor and outdoor seating.  Soaring over the Atlantic Ocean on South Florida’s fabled coastline, Acqualina is a design masterpiece. The resort’s overall look and design concept, created by renowned Miami-based interior designer Zeke Fernandez, fuses modern looks with classic motifs. Fresh contemporary European styling is accented with distinctive Old World architectural features including stately iron gates, sculpted archways, Baroque fountains and a grand porte-cochere with a domed cupola, giving Acqualina a glorious Italian aura. All guest rooms feature classic furnishings with modern accents, sitting areas and spacious bathrooms. Each room has a private terrace with views of the Intracoastal Waterway or the ocean.  Families seeking a coastal escape will find the ideal setting at Acqualina, from its distinctive children’s program to family-friendly suites.  The hotel’s unique layout features four to five suites per floor, with many offering full kitchens, making it the perfect arrangement for multi-generational family trips.  In addition, the resort offers the innovative AcquaMarine program, designed for children ages five to 12 years old to teach the basics of marine biology through fun and educational activities.  Top-notch nanny services and programs such as the supervised Saturday night activity, “Kids Night Out,” allow mom and dad to finally have that romantic evening on the town. For guests looking for a romantic getaway, the resort offers an array of programs to help guests transcend their everyday cares and indulge in the sensuality and romance that is Acqualina.  Fulfilling its clients’ every amorous desire with a wealth of couples-centric features, offerings include a year-round romantic escape package, private beachfront dining, the adults-only tranquility pool, on-site Proposal Concierge, and lavish Private Spa Suite in ESPA at Acqualina, the first and only spa of its kind in the United States.

Acqualina’s exclusive address, exceptional setting and extraordinary service make it an ideal location for small meetings, executive retreats, board meetings and intimate social gatherings.   Once again, La Dolce Vita comes into play with regard to such private functions, courtesy of Acqualina’s exclusive relationship with Barton G., the Miami-based, internationally celebrated catering and events production company, which orchestrates all functions on behalf of the resort.   Known for innovative, eye-popping culinary presentations, Barton G. exemplifies the good life in terms of food, beverage and memory-making occasions.

Four ocean view banquet rooms offer guests a perfect setting for meetings ranging in size from 10 to 40 persons and social events for up to 130 persons. The oceanfront Great Lawn can be outfitted with a custom tent for special events for up to 130 persons.  The Front Lawn meets the sand and is ideal for wedding ceremonies and intimate functions.  Meeting rooms are equipped with wireless Internet access, individual sound systems and temperature control. Additionally, full A/V services are available to complement all venues. Situated between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami Beach, Acqualina Resort in the ideal location to access the best of South Florida.  The world famous Bal Harbour Shops are just a 10-minute ride away, and the resort’s complimentary chauffeured house car is always standing by to transport guests to Neiman Marcus and the other fine boutiques and restaurants housed there.  In addition, personal shoppers are available at Neiman Marcus to assist guests in creating the optimal shopping experience.  The exciting nightlife of South Beach is just down the road, and attractions such as Seaquarium, swimming with the dolphins, museums and cultural points of interest are all within a short drive from the hotel. La Dolce Vita abounds at Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach, from the grand-scale amenities to the variety of intimate spaces and experiences once inside. Offering something for everyone at this tranquil beach haven, the resort may be equally enjoyed by couples, families and business travelers.

The sophistication of a Mediterranean villa combined with a beautiful oceanfront location makes Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach the perfect escape.  Located on 4.5 beachfront acres with 400 feet of stunning Atlantic Ocean coastline, Acqualina features 188 residences and 97 impeccable guests rooms and suites, a 20,000 square foot ESPA oceanfront spa, two oceanfront restaurants including the acclaimed Il Mulino New York, three oceanfront swimming pools and the innovative children’s AcquaMarine program. Since opening, Acqualina has received numerous awards and accolades, including Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Award; Spa Finder Readers’ Choice Awards; Robb Report’s Top 100 Exclusive Luxury Resorts; and most recently, Conde Nast Traveller’s Top Spas in The Americas and Caribbean.  Acqualina is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, a prestigious hospitality organization representing the world’s finest hotels and resorts.

Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach is located at 17875 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.

For more information on Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach, please visit www.acqualina.com.  For reservations, please call 888-804-4338 or 305-918-8000 (outside the US).