By David Kaufman
Two-for-two – in oh-so many ways. That’s the best way to describe the accolades recently bestowed upon Acqualina Resort & Residences by U.S. News & World Report. The venerable American news and ratings brand has – for the second year in a row – named Acqualina the Number 1 Best Hotel in the US and Number 1 Best Resort in the US. Oh – there’s more. Along with those pair of premier accolades, US News also named Acqualina the Number 1 Best Hotel in Florida, the Number 1 Best Hotel in Miami Beach, the Number 1 Best Resort in Florida and the Number 1 Best Resort in Miami Beach.
This year marks the 14th for US News’ annual Best Hotel rankings – a process which involves rating and evaluating some 37,000 luxury hotels and resorts across the United States, Europe, Bermuda, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. The properties are evaluated using a vast range of measures, metrics and data points – both to reflect their operational performance as well as consumer sentiment and satisfaction. These include everything from a property’s TripAdvisor score to its presence within travel and lifestyle media.
Acqualina Resort faced a vast range of competitors to secure so many Number 1 titles. But the recognition is hardly surprising for those who know Acqualina well. With its four best-in-class restaurants – including its newest, the Mediterranean-focused Avra Miami — Acqualina offers a world of fine dining right along the beach. The resort’s extensive range of elevated, curated amenities — from its indulgent spa to fun-filled Acquamarine Children’s Zone — have made it a favorite for every member (and generation) of the family. The accommodations are ultra-luxurious and when you book one of the oceanfront suites you’ll receive a host of perks with the Suite Offer.
Most impressive of all, however, is Acqualina’s sheer natural beauty – particularly its unrivaled 4.5 acres of beachfront right along the azure Atlantic Ocean. Elegantly laid-out and meticulously maintained, the beach – with its tell-tale red chaises, lively games and sports activities and annual turtle nests and hatchlings — is the physical and spiritual center of Acqualina.