Between its glimmering Atlantic backdrop, world-class spa, and decadent dining options, there’s no destination like Sunny Isles Beach for a well-deserved girls’ getaway. As a luxurious oceanfront enclave, Acqualina Resort & Spa feels a world away from the bustle of everyday life—while still in close proximity to Miami’s vibrant energy—offering the perfect setting to truly reconnect with the women who mean most to you.
Whether you’re celebrating an important milestone or simply taking the time to exhale alongside your closest girlfriends, make the most of your retreat with this 72-hour itinerary.
Day One:
After checking into your upscale accommodations at Acqualina Resort & Spa, there’s not a moment to waste enjoying the property’s relaxing amenities. Head to the three oceanfront pools to soak in spectacular views of Sunny Isles Beach amid opulent, Mediterranean-inspired surroundings. Settle into lounge chairs cushioned in Acqualina’s signature red hue, or take a dip in the crystal blue waters. (For an even more exclusive poolside experience, reserve a cabana ahead of time to enjoy additional personalized service and a secluded respite from the warm sun.)
Sit down at one of Costa Grill’s beachside tables for a casual lunch with the ladies, perfectly complemented by the sounds of the waves, then make your way to the award-winning Acqualina Spa by ESPA for an afternoon of pampering. Featuring 20,000 square feet of ultimate tranquility, unwind with a state-of-the art treatment or two, such as an Infinite Beauty Hydrafacial or a Himalayan Salt Stones Massage, then make time to enjoy the spa’s uniquely rejuvenating amenities. Featuring a Finnish sauna, a crystal steam room, ice fountains, an experience shower, an outdoor oceanfront spa pool, and a sun deck overlooking the Atlantic, Acqualina Spa by ESPA offers all the makings of a blissful spa day with the girls.
Before leaving the spa, stop into the new Acqualina Boutique to browse the perfect pieces for your Miami girls’ getaway. Allow our fashion consultant Jacqueline Shiff to personalize your look with styles from brands including Alexandra Miro, Vilebrequin, Gemma Hesterbly, Miguelina, SUNUVA, and more.
That evening, meet the girls at AQ Bar for a pre-dinner cocktail, then savor chef Michele Mazza’s refined Northern Italian cuisine at Il Mulino New York. Through the end of September, opt for a decadent prix fixe menu as part of Miami Spice, one of the city’s premier dining events celebrating the region’s finest flavors.
Day Two:
Photo: Bal Harbour Shops
Spend your second day exploring Miami’s top luxury shopping destination, Bal Harbour Shops. Just a 10-minute drive from Acqualina Resort & Spa, the “Madison Avenue of the South” is a hub for high-fashion outposts in a sleek, open-air setting. Classic extravagance is around every corner, including Balmain, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chanel, Céline, Gucci, Harry Winston, Tom Ford, and more. For a locally owned stop, swing by Books & Books on the third floor, purveying a selection of quintessential beach reads and chic coffee table books you’ll want to display at home as a reminder of your getaway.
Spend the morning shopping and wandering among the shops’ vibrant greenery, koi ponds, and fountains, then head to a lunch reservation at one of the center’s dining hotspots. Stephen Starr’s Le Zoo transports you to Provence with its French bistro-inspired setting and cuisine, while chef Makoto Okuwa’s eponymously named Makoto is known for its modern Japanese fare and divine sushi menu.
Head back to Acqualina after your shopping extravaganza to spend a few blissful hours by the pools or relax in your five-star accommodations. In the evening, indulge in the property’s other signature dining opportunity, AQ Chop House, where steakhouse traditions mingle with Italian flavors. You’ll also find a prix fixe Miami Spice menu here through the end of September.
Day Three:
Begin your last morning at the resort with a breath-focused beachfront yoga session, courtesy of YOGiiZA, with a focus on either Power Flow, Slow Flow, or Restore. As you move through a series of sun salutations, you’ll find your sense of zen amplified by the soothing waves in front of you (and your girlfriends beside you).
Photo: Gio Alma
Following your morning of wellness, refuel at one of Miami’s most popular brunch restaurants. Continue the healthful theme at Plant Miami in The Sacred Space, offering trendy vegan dishes with a true epicurean sensibility, from their inventive ingredients to their artful presentations. Or, rehash the weekend’s events over an Instagrammable bagels-and-lox tower at Swan.
Alternatively, if you’re staying on a Sunday, enjoy a special brunch buffet at Il Mulino New York, featuring live music and gourmet cuisine including carving and omelet stations along with spiked brunch libations. It’s the perfect opportunity to raise your mimosa glass to the unforgettable girls’ getaway you’ve had (and the many more to come).