Acqualina Resort and Spa - Sunny Isles, FL

Oct 21, 2018 - We have spent quite a few pre-cruise nights in South Beach Miami, but never before in Sunny Isles Beach. After an uneventful, and on-time, flight from DFW to Fort Lauderdale, we snagged an Uber ride to Sunny Isles Beach and, more specifically, Acqualina Resort & Spa. The Uber ride took about 30 minutes and cost $27 (plus tip).

Acqualina Resort & Spa on the beach is a luxury seaside property located on 4.5 beachfront acres in Sunny Isles Beach, featuring 98 guest rooms and suites and 188 residences with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

As soon as we pulled up to the entrance of Acqualina, a team of attentive staff hustled to take care of our luggage and escort us to the Reception desk. Check-in was fast and efficient. We were even offered a glass of welcome champagne, a nice touch for sure. Darya, one of the Reception staff, escorted us on a brief tour of the facilities before showing us to our Deluxe Intracoastal Double Double room (1103A).

Acqualina guest rooms offer Intracoastal Waterway vistas and oceanfront views and feature a king-size bed, custom curved sofa sleeper, signature- style wingback club chair, smoked glass and bronze metal coffee table, dresser and desk with bronze glass inlay, desk with integrated media connectivity, desk chair, HD TV, mini bar, private balcony, and bathroom with marble flooring, double sinks, whirlpool tub and glass-enclosed shower. Our room was large, comfortable, quiet and elegantly appointed.

We had little time to explore the property before our 6pm appointment for a couples' massage at Acqualina Spa by ESPA. We arrived early so as to have time to enjoy the steam and sauna prior to our massage. We were treated to a short tour of the spa facilities. Separate men's and ladies' changing areas are equipped with large lockers, complimentary robes and slippers, steam room, sauna and showers. The steam and sauna were both very large and in excellent working order. The entire spa area was spotlessly clean.

After a relaxing sauna, steam and quick shower, Rickee and I were escorted to the Royal Suite by Monika and Liudmila, our masseuses for today. The Royal Spa Suite is uniquely equipped for couples' massage treatments. A variety of Royal Suite packages are available which vary in duration, treatments offered and, of course, cost. Our Royal Spa Suite one-and-one-half hour experience included a 60-minute customized massage for two followed by 30 minutes of relaxation time in the privacy of the Royal Spa Suite. The private relaxation room is outfitted with two comfortable chairs, and was stocked with complimentary tea, water and cookies.

The treatment room has two massage tables with a view of the ocean just beyond the large balcony. We began with a brief consultation on what body areas to focus on and were offered a choice of aromatic massage oils. After the one-hour massage treatment, we both felt relaxed and stress free.

After our massage, we had 30 minutes to enjoy a unique Steam Shower room as well as the relaxation area. A couples' massage in the Royal Spa Suite is definitely something you should consider when visiting Acqualina Resort & Spa.

After our Royal Spa Suite visit, we decided to take an Uber to Kabobji, a local Middle Eastern restaurant just a few miles from the resort. When we arrived, the place was packed, but they were able to get us a table for two. We enjoyed a selection of appetizers and a Lebanese beer. The food was very good, and Kabobji is a place to which we would like to return.

Tomorrow morning we will explore more of Acqualina Resort before we head to Port Everglades to board Island Princess. We can highly recommend Aqualina Resort and Spa as an excellent pre-/post cruise destination.

For more information, go to: https://www.acqualinaresort.com