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Situated at the northern tip of Miami Beach on the Atlantic Ocean is an intimate barrier island that has long been considered the glamour and fashion capital of the Southeastern United States. Bal Harbour, incorporated in 1946, is a tropical haven with an international ambiance that features luxurious oceanfront resorts, the famous Bal Harbour Shops, pristine beaches and superb culinary options – particularly for travelers who enjoy dining al fresco.

In 2010 Bal Harbour launched several new complimentary programs for visitors and residents including a Cultural Series featuring South Florida’s leading artists and performers; a Kids Club and Beach Fitness Program. In addition, multiple hotel, restaurant, and designer shop openings are adding to the destination’s allure.

Conveniently located equidistant from Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Bal Harbour offers a sophisticated option for accommodations just minutes from greater Miami’s best cultural attractions, art fairs, food & wine festivals and renowned nightlife.

Size/Population

Bal Harbour is one square mile (2.5 km) and comprised of 3,222 residents (according to 2006 U.S. Census Bureau), many who have made the destination their second, third or fourth home.

Family travelers choosing Bal Harbour for their vacation getaway will cherish the classic South Floridian experience of The Sea View Hotel, an independent European-style property right on the beach. Discerning travelers will relish in the highly-anticipated luxury experience of ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa, which opened in Summer 2009. Those looking for a chic boutique hotel will enjoy Bal Harbour Quarzo, which opened its doors in late 2010. Additionally, the venerable St. Regis brand will further enhance the destination’s lodging options with the 2012 opening of The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort.

One of the first structures built along Bal Harbour’s coastline in 1948, the newly renovated 220-room Sea View Hotel has attracted royalty, presidents, heads-of-state, celebrities and families for generations. Offering personalized service by a host of staff that has been affiliated with the property for decades, the hotel features an intimate private beach and 50 Key West-style cabanas surrounding a heated Olympic-size pool. The property also offers meeting space, massage services, a poolside old-fashioned coffee shop serving the hotel’s signature chocolate milkshakes and tuna melt sandwiches and a bar and signature restaurant offering international cuisine. A beautiful ballroom for hosting dreamy South Florida weddings is just steps away from the Bal Harbour Shops where breakfast and special wedding band consultations can be arranged for soon to be brides and grooms at the luxurious Tiffany store.

Nestled along 750-feet of the most coveted stretch of the Gold Coast where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Intracoastal Waterway, ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa welcomes guests to an oasis of supreme indulgence, with impeccable service and world-class amenities to deliver the ultimate luxury travel experience.  The 18-story tower defines curated luxury with its modern glass exteriors featuring 180° panoramic views; one-of-a-kind art collection on display throughout the hotel valued at $4 million; ocean-view bar and lounge perfect for sunset cocktails; an exquisite restaurant; poolside garden café, swimming pool and private cabanas for a day filled with fun in the sun; a state-of-the-art fitness center with personal trainers; and a 10,000 square foot waterfront spa for relaxation and revitalization.

ONE Bal Harbour offers a total of 124 ocean-view guestrooms in both studio and suite layouts, each with oversized terraces and semi-private elevator access. Precious mahogany wood, granite stone materials, leather accents and custom artwork are present in each room and help to convey a serene and warm atmosphere for all hotel guests. The hotel also boasts signature services such as 24-hour in-room dining and concierge service, personal shoppers, a Pawcierge for all four-legged guests, and multi-lingual staff that can help accommodate requests that range from evening-out attire to private jet and yacht charters.

The new Bal Harbour Quarzo is the ideal location for a luxurious stay in Bal Harbour with all of the amenities of home. The waterfront boutique hotel features 29 condo-sized spacious suites with full kitchens, top of the line appliances, elegant furniture, private balconies and personalized service by an attentive staff. When not in the expansive suites, guests can enjoy the Zen-inspired meditation garden, Solarium, two heated pools with natural wood decks, and tranquil pool cabanas.

Positioned as the ultimate address in an exclusive beachfront enclave, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, opening in 2012, is a five-star resort hotel and condominium aimed at delivering discreet, graceful living. The property’s three all-glass towers will rise 27 stories above nine acres of lushly landscaped gardens and expansive stretch of pristine white sand on the edge of the Atlantic. Each tower will have its own private lobby entrances, security, valet, and covered parking, as well as access to all anticipatory services provided by the St. Regis Hotel.

The signature St. Regis Butlers will offer white-glove service, from 24-hour in-room dining to pet pampering, while the 12,000 square-foot Remède^SM Spa will provide the ultimate spa experience and state-of-the-art fitness center. Everyday indulgences will also include fine dining restaurants, childcare, and poolside cabana and beach services. Special elements will be the serene gardens and sculptures with decorative fountains and pool features, as well as a premier selection of works by world-renowned artists.

The quintessence of exclusive shopping to discriminating enthusiasts worldwide, Bal Harbour Shops is a glorious open air mall that consistently sets the standard in the luxury retail industry. Home to nearly 100 noteworthy stores including Bulgari, Carolina Herrera, Cartier, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Hermès, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Roger Vivier, Miu Miu, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, the family owned and operated establishment boasts the highest concentration of luxe jewelry and watch boutiques in the country. Its collection of stores appeals to a well-heeled clientele of all ages, including a host of A-list celebrities who frequent Bal Harbour Shops for the latest fashions and to dine and relax at its variety of cafés. 

Taking advantage of cool ocean breezes permeating off the Atlantic, Bal Harbour features a diverse selection of eateries – most offering al fresco experiences – to satiate any appetite or mood. A sampling of restaurants and cafes in the famed Bal Harbour Shops includes Makoto, a new restaurant by Steven Starr; Carpaccio, an Italian eatery where power-lunching and people-watching were perfected; La Goulue, a French bistro with a tropical touch; and Segafredo Bal Harbour, a fashionable Italian-style caffé with a coffee and full liquor bar, featuring an assortment of antipastos, salads, paninis, pizzas and pastas. Other restaurants include Zodiac Café at Neiman Marcus, Santa Fe News & Espresso and The Newsstand by Books & Books set in the shop’s beautiful gardens.

For a change of venue outside of the Bal Harbour Shops, the main restaurant at The Sea View Hotel, called The Terrace Room, offers casual dining by the beach. Serving up mouth-watering dishes and American classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Bal Harbour Cultural Calendar offers a series of free weekly entertainment including “Performances on the Green” by renowned musical and dance artists. Other highlights of the culture season include under-the-stars movie screenings on the beach, interactive art exhibits in the famed Bal Harbour Shops as well as author readings at South Florida’s favorite bookstore, Books & Books.

Sunrise strolls along Bal Harbour’s immaculately landscaped beach are a popular way to begin the day in the area. And snorkeling, windsurfing, parasailing, swimming and deep sea fishing are available nearby for water lovers. Golfers will also find dozens of championship golf courses, including the Miami Beach Golf Club, just minutes away.

Bal Harbour’s Beach Fitness Program offers locals and guests access to free workouts on the beach with experienced trainers. Classes are offered four times per week and include yoga- and Pilates-based one-hour sessions such as “Beach the Heat,” “Core by the Shore,” and “Pier Pilates.”

For a cardio workout with views, winding along the beach is a $3 million jogging track, the only beachfront path of its type in South Florida. 

The Bal Harbour Beach Camp was developed in partnership with the Miami Children’s Museum to provide a menu of themed educational activities guaranteed to engage even the most over-stimulated mind. Based in the historic Sea View Hotel, the programs are lead by a museum curator and include themed workshops ranging from Ocean in Motion (learn about the ocean through art, games and more) to My Backyard (explore the wonders of your own backyard through art, music, dance and stories). The program, the Miami Children’s Museum’s first in the city, is available to locals too, so vacationing kids can meet their Floridian peers. Workshops are available from 9am to 12pm for kids ages 3 to 10 years and cost $25 per child, per day.

The Bal Harbour Shuttle offers free transfers from 11AM until 7 PM, 5 days a week. The shuttle service makes it easier for guests and residents to hop from hotels in South Beach to the Bal Harbour Shops and Bal Harbour’s cultural attractions.

Meredith Phares / Chandra Dillon

E-mail: meredith@ldpr.com / chandra@ldpr.com