The Regent Bal Harbour.
Luxury living at The Regent Bal Harbour
By Charles Greenfield
cdgpm@bellsouth.net
From the wraparound 180-degree luxury terrace on the tenth floor of The Regent Bal Harbour the world is a blur of off-white sandy beaches, faint Sunny Isles condo towers, a bayside marina facing thick mangrove growth, the always bustling Intracoastal, and tuna-tower charter boats bucking against the treacherous outgoing tide in Baker’s Haulover Inlet. As the plucky procession plows under the bridge my vantage point on the very northern tip of Miami Beach heightens the sense of immediacy from the blazing turquoise-to-azure Atlantic offshore waters off to the east. Below, in the transparent, swirling channel, a dappled leopard ray the size of a Mini Cooper meanders just below the surface in a series of graceful but mysterious curlicues. For a moment I feel like a mini-master of the universe!
Ironically, South Florida has only recently entered the elite category of top-rated properties. The first new hotel to open in Bal Harbour Village in a half-century, the 124-room (studios and executive suites) curvy glass structure belongs to a global chain that spreads from Shanghai and Taipei to Croatia and Turks and Caicos. In June it made Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2008 “IT LIST” of the world’s best 30 new hotels. Additionally, their 10,000 sq. ft. waterside L’Institut de Guerlain Spa debuts as the first North American locale for the legendary Paris-based perfume (“Shalimar”) and cosmetic firm. Topping it off, the Regent’s suave, experienced general manager Guenter Richter holds the enviable distinction of turning Coconut Grove’s former Grand Bay into the region’s only five-star property in past decades.
Service in the 18-story hotel appears seamless and measured from the courteous valet parking staff to discrete check-in at reception. It doesn’t hurt aesthetically that the sleek but understated wood-accented lobby highlights four massive two-story pillars and just outside a 30-foot bronze called Close-hauled by California sculptor Guy Dill. Throughout the public spaces are commissioned art pieces from canvas and paper to photography, graphite and encaustics, assembled by their in-house curator Joan Warren-Grady. Suites are adorned with “solar burned” chalk on paper works by Jay McCafferty and San Francisco painter Darren Waterston’s limited edition, hand-embellished giclées or high-quality digital prints.
Inside my suite after a ride up in the semi-private elevator I was impressed by the “wow” factor in the bathroom. Not only was the 10-foot floor-to-ceiling view panoramic but a helpful electronic screen operates to block the curious. With double white Carrara marble sinks and a plasma TV built into the vanity mirror the crowning jewel must be the stunning Rapsel “Mini Lavasca” tub that looks like modern sculpture in the shape of a semi-eggshell. The walls sport French beige limestone and the shower features colorful glass mosaics that complement the wood ceiling. There’s even a preliminary “toe tester” for the oversized rain shower shower head. Other luxury amenities include: African mahogany floors and leather walls; 52" and 42" flat screen TVs plus “3.2.1” Bose surround sound; broadband wireless and internet; European cabinetry and granite countertops; and a fully equipped kitchen with Wolf oven and Subzero fridge. Bedding is by Anichini with feathertop mattress.
Since 1828 chemist Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain’s potions have rejuvenated clients worldwide. The Regent Bal Harbour claims the honor of being its first North American venue. Besides 15 treatment rooms with oceanside terrace views and private cabanas, L’Institut de Guerlain Spa provides footbath lounges, hydrotherapy facilities (Vichy shower), suites for physically challenged guests, saunas, steam rooms, a retail boutique, and complimentary valet parking. After a short questionnaire and soothing footbath my therapist Erin administered their trademark Exceptional Orchidée Impériale Treatment. For two hours you will be double cleansed, toned, fitted with a retinol eye mask, steamed and exfoliated, extracted, facial massaged, receive a collagen mask, and hand massaged. I was assured that toxins were removed and skin properly hydrated. For a brief period my glowing skin reminded me of my youth.
If The Regent spoils its guests with its various Guerlain spa services, their commitment to fine cuisine is equally admirable. Executive Chef Gerdy Rodriguez, formerly of the ultra-chic and now shuttered Karu & Y (bread ice cream!), is collaborating with Le Cordon Bleu guest chef and exchange program in his stunning and sleek oceanview dining room, 1 Bleu. While Chef Rodriguez practiced daring his diners at Karu with foams and imaginative concoctions, his touch remains more down-to-earth Mediterranean-French-Italian-Spanish with the local day boat catch (yellowtail or wahoo) or heirloom tomatoes from Homestead vegetable farms. For lunch I relished the Caesar salad with white anchovies, the fruits de mer “seafood” platter, the plump veal agnolotti “pillows”, and the perfectly cooked organic chicken breast Provençal (a reasonable $18). Dinner was another affair: a delectable bouillabaisse Adriatic with saffron broth; a complex and riveting Maine lobster risotto with Carnaroli rice, coral essence, garlic ice cream, and parsley picada; and a satisfying Moroccan lamb loin with grilled pineapple, coconut, dried fruit and ginger flowers. Desserts vary from panacotta with wild berry consommé, pineapple fennel soup, and introduction to chocolate (7 forms). Next door, on the wonderful inlet terrace next to Dill’s 30-foot bronze, The View Bar serves eggs Benedict for breakfast or a glass of rosé champagne with smoked salmon at dusk.
Hotel services respond efficiently to guest needs. As a lap swimmer I took advantage of their lovely oceanside pool with rentable cabanas and private whirlpool (the 750-foot beach includes lounges, umbrellas and food/drink service). After my first lap the strap on my goggles broke. Benz, the charming Thai pool attendant, inquired as to why I had stopped swimming and after my explanation ran off and gave me a face mask to use as a substitute. Other services at The Regent include: 24-hour concierge and room dining; twice daily housekeeping and turn-down; butler service; laundry and dry cleaning; executive business center with complimentary printing, faxing, scanning and e-mailing; and an extensive fitness center.
With my love for the ocean I left The Regent for a five-minute drive across the Haulover bridge to go out at night deep-sea fishing on the Kelley Fleet. A local institution since 1957 their sturdy fleet includes the Mucho K and the Hurricane, both custom-built with twin diesel engines on each craft. Fully Coast Guard inspected and licensed the comfortable boats with friendly crew are a hop, skip and a jump to the Altatic through the inlet. In my case the early summer evening was balmy and the calm seas lulling. The captain took us north past Sunny Isles and on our last anchored spot I fished the bow and hooked what was probably a decent size mutton snapper. And as all fishermen remind each other – “It’s still a decent size!”
Bal Harbour Village remains famous for fashionistas as the home of the Bal Harbour Shops. A three-generation family affair, its patriarch 90-year-old Stanley Whitman still arrives each morning for work. Ranked by Women’s Wear Daily in sales-per-square-foot it is “the #1 shopping center in the U.S.” All guests at The Regent Bal Harbour receive a real perk, the new Little Black Book, a coupon booklet that offers discounts of 15% on all regularly priced merchandise at Brooks Brothers and Sergio Rossi to $250 off a $1,000 purchase (excludes Rolex) at Tourneau. The must-be-seen restaurants that crowd the entrance just off Collins Avenue include Carpaccio, La Goulue, Lea’s Tea Room and Bal Harbour Bistro. I had a very enjoyable and quite authentic French bistro lunch at La Goulue. Chef Christian Delouvrier (he worked for super chef Alain Ducasse) favors cuisine de terroir like traditional onion tarts, duck foie gras, and one of my favorites, “L’onglet à l’echalotte,” hanger steak with carmelized shallots. I started with charcuterie with baby pickles, moules with homemade frites, and an apple tart for dessert. And, of course, I watched the beautiful people arriving for their salads and bottled water.
Charles Greenfield is a Miami-based travel writer who has contributed to Travel & Leisure and regional magazines. As Travel Editor of the Coral Gables Gazette, he specializes in luxury travel on Europe, Asia/Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. He won the prestigious Cacique Award 2000 for International Consumer Travel Writing from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.
|
If you go
ACCOMMODATIONS: The Regent Bal Harbour, 10295 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour, 305-866-2121 (www.regenthotels.com), Florida Resident Rate starts at $375 per night (through October 2nd) includes luxurious accommodations for two, continental breakfast (rack rates start @ $750) – valid driver’s license at check in, mention code FLARES when making reservation (call 888-201-1806 or visit www.regenthotels.com/balharbourFLA);
SPAS: L’Institut de Guerlain Spa, The Regent Bal Harbour, Bal Harbour, 305-455-5411 (www.regenthotels.com), Guerlain Spa celebrates Miami Spa Month in July with spa special: anti-wrinkle retinol treatment and 60-minute spa therapy of choice, duration: 1h 15, price: $99 (value $210); spa & hotel special: two-night stay, two Guerlain spa treatments of choice, $399 per night, taxes excluded;
RESTAURANTS: 1 Bleu (The Regent Bal Harbour), 305-866-2121, expensive;1 Bleu will extend its specially priced Miami Spice Preview menu through the month of July. The popular promotion, which invites diners to sample delectable three course menus at greatly reduced prices, will continue at lunch ($23.00) and dinner ($36.00), Mondays through Thursdays throughout the month of July. Miami Spice officially launches August 1 and runs through September 30, 2008.; La Goulue, 9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour, 305-865-2181, moderate-expensive;
FISHING: Kelley Fleet, Collins Avenue (A1A & 108 Street), 305-945-3801 or 949-1173, daily ½ day departures: 9am, 1:45pm, 8pm, $39; full day (8 hrs.), Sunday, 9am, $59; late night trip (6 hrs.), Saturday, 1am, $42, ($7 off if you bring your own fishing rod);
SHOPPING: Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour, 305-866-0311 (www.balharbourshops.com);
TOURISM: Bal Harbour Village, 305-866-4633 (tourism@belharbourflorida.com) – copies of the Little Black Book available for guests at The Regent Bal Harbour and the Sea View Hotel Bal Harbour.
|
