By Michelle Payer
When the grand Acqualina Resort and Residences unveiled its glamorous, yet subtle refresh of the Mediterranean villa-style gallery and lobbies last year, it became lighter and brighter through white patinas, richly toned marbles that made structural details pop and newly uncovered windows into which sunlight streamed. Bespoke Nepalese area rugs surrounded Fendi Casa furniture to create sophisticated, yet warm conversation areas. Like any home renovation, Jules and Stephanie Trump, with CEO and Partner Deborah Yager Fleming, saw the beautiful results and quickly decided to elevate other Resort areas they knew clients and residents would appreciate. Read on for more…
AL FRESCO:
Outdoors, they enhanced the ocean view Adult Pool with signature red loveseats, custom daybeds and modern chaise lounges to create a sophisticated vibe. For daytime luxury, four crimson cabanas take the alfresco experience to new heights. The opulent sanctuaries are bastions of comfort with elegant lounge seating, backgammon-set tables, refrigerator, television, privacy curtains, fans, beverages, international cheeses and tropical fruits, signature Acqualina hats, Hampton Sun products and so much more.
LUXURIOUS BATHROOMS, GUESTROOMS & SUITES:
Inside the villa-style resort that Jules, Stephanie and Deborah consider a home for all who enter, there seemingly wasn’t an area that didn’t deserve an enhancement, all orchestrated in concert with Isabel Tragash and her team from STA Architectural Group. First, all 112 bathrooms in 98 guestrooms and 44 suites were given lustrous makeovers with Italian marble floors, separate glass-enclosed showers surrounded by custom, white textured wallpaper, LED-lit Italian sconces, wall-to-wall Molteni vanities in the suites, new plush bathrobes, ESPA bath and Lady Primrose after-sun products and either Baci counter or Nameeks wall-mounted makeup mirrors.
“Our DNA is classic furnishings with modern elements,” says Yager Fleming. “The bathrooms adhere to this philosophy with curated finishes that are either custom-made or from high-end designers that manufacture everything for us,” she says, while describing the White Vena Oro marble vanities as “fresh and translucent, brightening the entire bathroom space.” New Boca Terry white robes and white slippers complete the luxurious experience. Naturally, the next step was to extend the refresh to every guestroom and suite. Every bed has new, soft-as-silk linens, including a duvet cover with champagne trim and Euro shams with Acqualina’s signature “A.” Ideal Casa’s Virgilio Mariano helped customize exclusive furniture selected for its continuity and Italian elegance. From the sophisticated, yet practical, Italian-made Miami Sofa Bed with its hidden opening mechanism, to glass-topped bronze metal end tables and dining table with leather-stitched column, solid wood Tub chairs and curved oak bar stools, every suite enhancement is elegant, comfortable and timeless. Even their luxurious suspender lounge chairs were commissioned by RGS Europe and made in Spain. Suite kitchens were created for glamorous evenings in, with elegant Lapitec Stone Bianco Vittoria kitchen counters, LED high-hats and Everest chandeliers.
With the guestrooms and suites completed, Jules, Stephanie and Deborah turned to…
THE ARRIVAL EXPERIENCE:
“We wanted our guests to feel as though they have entered their own private foyer area as soon as they step off the elevator,” says Yager Fleming. “We selected a bronze-toned carpet with black accents to tie into our beautiful zebrawood furniture pieces, and then a Luna custom wallpaper that artistically suggests ocean waves breaking,” she says.
IL MULINO:
Acqualina’s venerable Il Mulino New York, a classic South Florida gathering place, was next. Its classic Italian architecture was elevated with soft white paint, applied in layers for texture and vibrancy, while black and white photos of Italy replaced heavy tapestries. Weighty wall sconces were exchanged for light, elegant chandeliers with tailored shades and comfortable dining chairs were refinished in luxurious black leather that gleams against a refinished original mahogany backdrop. While it’s still recognizable to long-time Il Mulino patrons, the fresh makeover is comfortably sophisticated.
AVRA MIAMI:
The newest star in the sky, Avra Miami, is the glamorous Greek restaurant that connects the new Estates at Acqualina with the Resort via a tony skybridge. The jaw-dropping interiors are only supplanted by its exquisite Greek menu and oceanfront setting for unforgettable meals. STA Architectural Group created a larger-than-life space with floor-to-ceiling windows, then introduced a bougainvillea-entwined pergola and three Fernando Mastrangelo-designed salt stone sculptures for unexpected wow factors.
From every vantage point and from every angle, Acqualina has slowly and carefully selected beautiful, rare and specially curated elements to create a home like no other for Acqualina guests and residents. It’s the Acqualina you love, only better.