What to Expect From a True Five-Star Luxury Miami Resort

If you’re the type of traveler who only settles for true five-star luxury, you know it’s not about fancy marketing or Instagram-worthy photos.

You want proof. You want a property that earns every bit of its reputation.

Acqualina Resort in Sunny Isles Beach delivers exactly that.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll see how every detail is built for guests who know what luxury really means. Here's what you can expect from this five-star luxury Miami resort:

1. Recognized Around the World

Before you book, you check the credentials, right?

Well, Acqualina has Forbes Five-Star ratings for both hotel and spa for 14 years straight. Oh, and the AAA Five Diamond Award is there too. And U.S. News & World Report ranked it the #1 Best Hotel and Resort in the Continental U.S. for three years running.

(Should we keep going?)

And the best thing about these ratings is that they aren’t self-awarded titles. Inspectors show up anonymously, poke around, and rate everything from the quality of the sheets to how staff handles your coffee order.

2. Rooms That Feel Like Home (Only Better)

When you walk into an Acqualina room, we bet it'll feel like your own oceanfront apartment. Because that's how guests describe it.

Entry-level rooms start at 600 sq. ft., with private balconies looking out over the Atlantic.
Suites go up to 2,031 sq. ft. with kitchens, Italian countertops, and Sub-Zero refrigerators.
are marble, with separate tubs and rainfall showers.
Beds are pillow-top and sheets are Egyptian cotton.

Espresso machines, iPads loaded with meditation apps, Seed to Skin Tuscany skincare…Everything you touch feels intentional.

The Royal Spa Suite even has a private steam room and oceanfront treatment room. That's a whole experience in itself!

3. Service That Actually Knows You

At Acqualina, staff remembers your name, and they know if it’s your anniversary. In fact, they’ll quietly set up a cake or gift without you asking.

Also, housekeeping is invisible, but your room is immaculate. The concierge arranges a sunset yacht trip, a private dinner on the beach, or tickets to a gallery opening—all without you lifting a finger.

Guests say it all the time: “I’ve been all over the world, and nobody compares to the service at Acqualina.” And it’s true.

4. Dining That Makes You Forget Your Diet

You don’t have to leave the property if you don't want to, because Acqualina has four oceanfront restaurants that cover every craving:

Il Mulino New York – Italian fine dining with tuna tartare and black truffle risotto. Ocean as your backdrop.
Ke-uH – Japanese fusion with sushi rolls like the Bonzai Truffle.
Costa Grill – steps from the sand, perfect for lunch in flip-flops.
Avra Miami – authentic Greek cuisine in a seaside setting.

Want something special? They’ll even serve a four-course dinner on the beach, under the stars, with a waiter at your side. Yup.

5. A Spa You Could Live In

Some spas are small add-ons, but at Acqualina, we're talking about 20,000 sq. ft. of full-service wellness.

The Acqualina Spa has 11 treatment rooms and a Royal Spa Suite for two with a steam room and private balcony. Treatments use Seed to Skin Tuscany, ESPA, and Swissline products.

Thermal experiences include a Himalayan salt lounge, cold plunge, sauna, heated jet pool, and a Roman waterfall, so you basically spend a whole day here.

6. Private Beach, No Crowds

Step outside, and it’s 4.5 acres and 400 feet of private shoreline without random tourists or fighting for a chair.

Three pools cater to different vibes:

an adult-only pool with luxe cabanas,
a family-friendly pool with games, and
a recreational pool with aqua fitness classes.

So, there's a bit of everything for everyone.

7. Families Welcome Without Compromise

Yes, kids are welcome. And yes, adults still get peace.

The AcquaMarine program keeps kids ages 4–12 busy with marine biology, beach yoga, arts, and sustainability lessons. Outdoor games, king-sized chess, and family sports fill the rest of the day.

To make things even better, you can also go to an adult-only pool while babysitters and nannies play with your kids (yes, their services are available).

Everyone wins.

8. Real Sustainability

Acqualina has Forbes Responsible Hospitality VERIFIED™ status and Green Key Global certification. We're talking about genuine sustainability here, not performative: