At the opposite end of the Miami Beach island from South Beach, the brand new Regent Bal Harbour has been welcoming guests for the last few weeks. The first new luxury hotel property to open in nearly half a century in Bal Harbour — a small, village just north of the Miami Beach city line — the Regent Bal Harbour “promises total immersion in the inviting culture of Bal Harbour, unrivaled luxury for all the senses and attention to every detail, including highly personalized service delivered with genuine kindness and warmth,” according to Guenter Richter, the new hotel’s general manager. “The result will be the authentic experience of hospitality at the highest levels, which is what Regent is all about,” said Richter whose previous experience includes The St. Regis and The Waldorf Astoria here in New York City.
Part of the of Regent Hotels and Resorts group (eight hotels open currently; another eight scheduled to open in the next two years), the Bal Harbour incorporates an Art Moderne nod to Miami’s vibrant architectural legacy and a 21st-century glass façade that soars and curves like a ship’s sail. Situated alongside one of Bal Harbour’s most pristine white-sand beaches, the 18-story, 124-room property affords inspiring panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Within walking distance are the chic boutiques of the Bal Harbour Shops, featuring high-end labels such as Hermès, Chopard, Vuitton, and Prada.
Guest rooms at the Regent Bar Harbour are described as “elegant, sublime sanctuaries with subtle Asian influences.” With ocean and bay views, each guest room and executive suite assures the utmost privacy. Bamboo walls, leather tiles and parquet flooring are several of the touches, as well as 42-inch plasma screen TVs with DVD and CD players, Anichini linens, and private terraces. Bathrooms are outfitted with freestanding bathtubs placed before 10-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning water views; all showers have a unique “toe-tap” groove for testing water temperature before entering.
On the 18th floor of the Bal Harbour Regent is a 3,500-square-foot Presidential Suite, which includes a 702-square-foot terrace. Among other amenities, it has hardwood and stone floors; a theatre and media room; a Wolf oven and Subzero refrigerator; storage for 46 bottles of wine; and a grand-piano bedecked living room. For unwinding, there’s a Roman tub on the suite’s master balcony offers breathtaking views of the Miami skyline and bay.
At the hotel’s signature ocean-view restaurant, 1 Bleu, executive chef Gerdy Rodriguez creates an inspired, contemporary menu full of Mediterranean flavors, combined with produce from South Florida green markets and savory local seafood.
Unique to the Regent Bal Harbour is the first Guerlain Spa to debut in North America. It’s a 10,000-square-foot oasis of calm and luxury. In each of 15 treatment suites, guests can sample signature treatments such as Five-Senses hydrotherapy.
For reservations or for more information, phone 800-545-4000 or 305-866-2121, or visit regenthotels.com/balharbour.
