Recommend February 2012 - (Page 48)

ONE BAL HARBOUR, florida continued from page 46 america clearly marked running path throughout the property. If guests want to venture off property, we have two complimentary shuttles—one that extends all the way to South Beach, at the ready.” He adds that adding to the exclusivity is the fact that there are no resort fees, “although we are replete with amenities,” including 24-hour concierge service, personal shoppers and a multi-lingual staff that can help accommodate guest requests that range, the resort says, from “evening-out attire to private jet and yacht charters.” On site, Mister Collins is a deﬁnite must—the selections are fun with home-style American cuisine (it’ll even be a treat for clients traveling with little ones), but that shouldn’t make health nuts shy away. In fact, Mister Collins focuses on fresh, local, high-quality ingredients. Yes, there’s the usual cheeseburger and mac & cheese, but for those who have an adventurous palate, recommend the duck conﬁt “melt” or the one shroom “burger” for lunch. Our guilty pleasure though? Those desserts—yummy. Try the M.C. candy bar, served with spicy caramel corn and Coca Cola ice cream, or even the house-made ice creams (it’s heaven in a bowl). And it’s all wrapped up in those beautiful water views. After a day hanging beachside—the resort offers beachside watersports, which are a must for guests to take advantage of—an afternoon at the spa is a plus. Here, guests are invited into a world with 10 treatment suites, peaceful water features, soothing neutral tones and textures and outdoor treatment area, with lapping water, rustling palm fronds and the gentle sounds of nature. Recommend the Secret Garden experience, with the rose as its main component (it’s a delight). And hanging by the outdoor meditation space is a great precursor to the pleasures that await during the treatment. Its corner location affords the resort unparalleled views. wise we feature only two accommodations per ﬂoor. Each accommodation offers ﬂoor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water with stand-alone egg-shaped tubs. There are also full kitchens in our suites, offering a more residential feel.” And yes, you read correctly—that’s two accommodations per ﬂoor (how’s that for sublime?). And upon entering the accommodations, it’s truly a sanctuary within an oasis. The 124 oceanview guestrooms— in studio or suite layouts and accessible by semi-private elevators— range in size from 510 to 2,800 sq. ft. and are outfitted with the best of the best: European wood cabinetry and granite countertops, 42-inch ﬂat-screen TVs with Bose SoundSpace surround sound, feather-top mattresses—a delight after all that exploring around town—draped in luxurious 350-threadcount bedding and a living space that ﬂows out to large panoramic terraces with views that are heavenly, especially during sunrise. Our favorite part of the accommodations, though? The bathrooms—it was our guilty pleasure during our stay to wile away the late-afternoon in the freestanding tub while perusing life beyond our glass tower via the 10-ft., ﬂoor-to-ceiling windows, which look out over the inlet and the ocean. Mesmerizing. Beyond those stately accommodations, lies a world of pure pleasure, including a whimsical dining experience, Mister Collins, and an indulgent retreat ﬁlled with out-of-this-world treats, the 10,000-sq.-ft. Spa at ONE Bal Harbour, as well as the secluded beachfront pool with comfy furnishings and attentive staff, not to mention private cabanas with individual hot tubs. “Our amenities are vast,” says Boparai, pointing out that, “we like to say we have everything for the jet-, wet- and pet-set. We are pet friendly and have a complete Posh Pet program including bedding, amenities and services such as grooming and veterinarian services available through the ‘Pawcierge.’ The spa has been awarded four stars by Forbes Magazine and is a soothing centerpiece, and offers complimentary yoga and Pilates on the beach. Beach lovers have access to an insulated nook of North Miami Beach, with full service, and the pool area offers cabanas and private jacuzzis in addition to a well-lit, 48 february 2012 what not to miss General manager Boparai offers up a quick wrap on what not to miss while visiting the resort: • You cannot visit Bal Harbour without visiting the Bal Harbour shops. A fashion haven, this historic mall sets the bar high for luxury and exclusivity. • South Beach, the nearby Haulover Marina, Bal Harbour beaches, and the Aventura Mall. • Sampling the warm pretzel sticks at the bar at Mister Collins is an absolute must, any time of the day. • A pedicure at The Spa at ONE Bal Harbour offers a special treat. The pedicure stations appear from nowhere it seems. They rise up out of the ﬂoor, offering maximum comfort for the guest. • And this editor would like to add…hang by the pier watching as locals ﬁsh the day’s catch and go ﬂy a kite at the Haulover Marina. Best available rate for the month of February starts at $675 for an Oceanview Deluxe room; in March it’s $750; and in April it’s $525. Agent promotions are offered seasonally, and the resort extends travel agent rates. n Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): Hotel Beaux Arts Miami (October 2011) contact information ONE Bal Harbour: (877) 455-5410; oneluxuryhotels.com recommend.com http://www.recommend.com http://www.oneluxuryhotels.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend February 2012

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: The Lodge at Woodloch
Tour Talk: Swain Tours
Celebrity Silhouette
Savoring the Zulu Kingdom
The Falkland Islands-Nature's Last Stand
Asia
One Bal Harbour, Florida
Las Vegas Spa Retreats
Beaver Creek Lodge, Colorado
Bliss Springs Eternal at Esperanza
The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun
Time to "Czech" Out Moravia
Caribbean Uber-Luxe

Recommend February 2012