Fodor's Expert Review Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach

The grand dame of Sunny Isles Beach continues to raise the bar for Miami beachfront luxury, delivering a fantasy of modern Mediterranean opulence, with sumptuously appointed, striking gray- and silver-accented interiors and expansive facilities. Oceanfront lawns recall Miami's famed Vizcaya gardens; three stylish swimming pools (one adults-only) and a colossal 20,000-square-foot ESPA spa offer opportunities for relaxation; and the famed Il Mulino New York restaurant is there for excellent dining. Upon arrival, you'll quickly notice the Ferraris and Lamborghinis lining the driveway. With this prelude it's only natural that accommodations are sinfully comfortable and undeniably lavish, with every conceivable frill. Even standard rooms facing away from the ocean seem grand; they have huge flat-screens that rise out of the foot of the bed, making recumbent TV-watching into a theater experience. The property is exceptionally children-friendly, with a fabulous kids' program and tons of activities on-site.