The Life Aquatic

We keep hearing good things about Acqualina Resort & Spa, the 98-room Mediterranean- style property on Sunny Isles Beach.

Acqualina, whose name is a play on "on the water line," regularly wins critical acclaim and is a recipient of the AAA Five Diamond Award as well as coveted Forbes Travel Guide Awards for both the hotel and the spa.

Midway between Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Acqualina has much to offer, including several restaurants; three oceanfront pools; a marine biology-based children's program; and a forward- thinking spa, which, last year, was named as the nation's Best Hotel Spa by USA Today.

We've not only been hearing good things about the spa but at the spa, too, since it recently added an audio therapy program, the Sound Care Ritual. The 80-minute service starts with a consultation during which a therapist queries the guest about music preferences and well-being. Next, the guest slips on a set of headphones and listens to music set to their chosen Sound Care algorithm, designed for relaxation, while they enjoy foot and aromatherapy massages. The end result leaves guests feeling transformed and free from emotional anxieties and physical ailments.

If the Sound Care Ritual doesn't appeal to you, never fear. The 20,000-square-foot spa, the first ESPA-branded spa in the country, provides a wide range of treatments with a focus on aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, thalassotherapy (the use of marine products to boost beauty) and phytotherapy (the use of plant extracts for beauty benefits). The facility offers 11 treatment rooms and a sauna. Along with the spa is an oceanfront gym, complete with 30 cross-training machines.

Of course, there's much more to this luxurious 12-year-old resort on four and a half beachfront acres. In 2014, Miami designer Isabel Tragash was charged with a major room redesign, which combines a sense of modern luxury with classic furnishings.

Now, all rooms include a sitting room with plush wingback chairs, a sofa, a huge flat-screen TV and a large bathroom with an oversized bathtub and a separate walk-in shower.

The 7,725-square-foot penthouse is bigger than most homes and feels like a castle. On the 46th floor, this suite has five bedrooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a large living room and an iPad-powered control system. All the rooms are lovely, but the penthouse, with unobstructed ocean views, has some special perks, such as a private saltwater pool and a cabana guesthouse with a private bath.

The hotel lobby, with marble columns and several sitting areas, has a Mediterranean feel and overlooks a courtyard that leads to the pool and ocean.

Outside, bright red lounge chairs and umbrellas await. There's even a separate family pool for kids. Paddleboards are available for those who prefer a little more action. Other activities include foosball, basketball and yoga classes.

When it comes time to dine, there are several good options on the property, including Il Mulino New York, a sleek Italian eatery, and AQ Chop House by Il Mulino, a chic American restaurant. Both feature stunning ocean vistas. 

In August, the resort debuted AQ Bar, adjoining the AQ Chop House. The stylish interior was inspired by the sultry vibe of the Parisian jazz movement. Guests sip handcrafted cocktails and play backgammon or chess on custom art-inspired game sets. An oversized custom mural on an architectural wall draws guests into the space, and rotating wall panels offer a look inside the Chop House.

Those who forget to pack their swimsuits or other beach wear will find a nice assortment in the Gift & Spa Boutique on the lobby level. Accessories and specialty items may be purchased there as well.

Besides luxurious rooms, an outstanding spa and a variety of activities, travelers are drawn to Acqualina over other high-end properties for its top-notch service. Employees are known to go the extra mile to please guests - and almost no request is off limits. In short, at Acqualina, your wish is their command. O

Acqualina Resort & Spa is located at 17875 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach. For more information, call 305-918-8000 or visit acqualinaresort.com.