When one thinks of Miami, thoughts often jump straight to South Beach — the bustling beaches, the Rolodex of restaurants and hotels to choose from, the nightclubs, the art. While South Beach is always a good idea, just North of there exits Bal Harbour, which will provide you with a sweet taste of the luxe life.
If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, relaxation, great food, art, pristine beaches, great shopping, while still being close enough to a fun night out, Bal Harbour is worth adding to your travel list.
Perfect for a quick weekend getaway, Bal Harbour Village offers visitors an itinerary full of relaxation and luxurious indulgences. The destination stretches across a one-mile radius and allows visitors to engage in a multitude of simple pleasures. From the selection of great restaurants to the art, the white stretch of beach and shopping at some of the most high-end stores in the world, Bal Harbour will tick all of your boxes. If you’re looking for a quick getaway that leaves you feeling refreshed and all of your senses fulfilled, this may be the weekend haven you’ve been craving.
Bal Harbour, Ritz Carlton
Where to Stay:
The Ritz Carlton, Bal Harbour
10295 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour, FL 33154, United States
The Ritz Carlton in Bal Harbour feels like a home away from home. The hotel itself is far more intimate than what one may be used to in Miami, with only 93 rooms available to hotel guests. Each elevator to get to the rooms opens up to two suites, a floor and the spacious interior means you seldom hear any noise from neighbours. The hotel features one restaurant, the Artisan beach house, which caters to different tastes from breakfast to dinner. As the hotel is located right next to the bay, the beach offers space and tranquillity.
Other Hotel Options:
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
9703 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33154, United States
Tip: Book, a spa day at The St. Regis, to get a taste of the deluxe facilities — steam, sauna, and whirlpool included — and the excellent service.
St Regis Bal Harbour
Where to Eat:
While Bal Harbour itself may not be that big, there are plenty of great restaurants to choose from to satisfy any craving. One of the standouts is Makoto, named after Chef Makoto Okuwa, who has perfected his skill over his 20 years in the industry. Makoto serves up Japanese dishes with a creative twist that hits every spot. Order the Makoto House Salad to start along with the Wagyu Short Rib, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, and Toro Tartare, before diving into an assortment of the freshest sushi.
Tip: Look no further than the Bal Harbour Shops for all of your dining needs.
Le Zoo – A french inspired brasserie from Chef Stephen Starr.
Carpaccio – A classic Italian restaurant.
Hillstone – An American Eatery.
Vasalissa – Come here for a sweet, one-of-a-kind bite. The chocolatier house imports all of their chocolate from Argentina. The taste is as high-end as the store that it inhabits.
Where to Shop:
The Bal Harbour shops exceed shopping expectations, with over 100 high-end stores calling the place home. Since opening in 1965 by Stanley Whitman, the outdoor shopping centre is one of the most luxurious shopping experiences you can attain in America. Here you will find an array of shopping options from the innovative, like The Webster, to classics like Chanel, where you can purchase straight off the runway designs.
Culture Trip:
Take a bicycle from the Ritz Carlton and ride along the Bal Harbour Village beach path, viewing an open-air photographer exhibition by Leo Diaz along the way.
Bal Harbour guests, also receive a complimentary access pass to several art galleries and museums in the area. Including, the Bass Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA), Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, and the National Young -Arts Foundation to name a few.BE