It’s funny how traveling around the world gives you a new appreciation for home. If there’s one thing I love, it’s finding an amazing hotel in my backyard and treating myself to a weekend staycation. Luxury travel doesn’t have to mean long haul flights to different continents and right now, there’s never been a better time to stay home. On that note, this post is my honest review of my stay at the St. Regis Bal Harbour in Miami. 

When I went to the St. Regis Bal Habour, I was celebrating a milestone of sorts. I had just reached 300k followers on Instagram and so I wanted the perfect backdrop for the occasion. The St. Regis worked perfectly. For me, this hotel represents elegance and luxury with its subtle (and not-so-subtle) displays of Miami’s top shelf resort experience. 

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Who are St. Regis? 

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the St. Regis brand, there are 45 properties worldwide. The first one opened in New York in 1904 by John Jacob Astor IV, who was also the brains behind the Waldorf-Astoria. He died on the Titanic in 1912 and today the chain is owned by Marriott Hotels. If you haven’t had the chance to stay at a St. Regis property before, Bal Harbour is a great place to start. 

Bal Harbour isn’t a part of Miami’s party scene but rather a place to escape from the madness. This hotel is a perfect place for a relaxing trip. I went on a girls’ weekend but it’s a great choice for couples and families, too. The property’s facilities include beach access, three restaurants, a wine bar, two pools and, best of all, a Remède spa. 

Be prepared to pay anywhere from $400 to $3,800 per night depending on the time of year. Expect to pay a resort fee of $40 per day, which includes one fitness class, bike rentals for up to two hours, upgraded internet, access to spa facilities, and a complimentary cocktail. Considering that cocktails on the property cost about $20 a pop, I wouldn’t say that this is a particularly egregious resort fee and hey, it provides an incentive to get your body moving.

Location

As the name suggests, the St. Regis is located in the Bal Harbour enclave of North Miami beach. It’s a calm, picturesque oceanfront village with some truly out-of-this-world shopping – the perfect place for a luxury getaway, if you ask me.

The hotel itself is within easy reach of the exclusive Bal Harbour shops and 30-45 minutes away from the Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports. 

Decor

The St. Regis is a luxury experience from start to finish. Just driving up to the porte cochere lets you know you’ve arrived somewhere special. The lobby is beautiful and a great spot for a picture, if you’re so inclined. 

The St. Regis has 216 rooms designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, which give guests an amazing view of Bal Harbour. Each room has a balcony where you can end the night with a glass of wine as you gaze out at the ocean. The rooms go from fairly standard to multi-room suites, depending on your budget and status with Marriott. 

My suite had butler service, so my every whim was attended to – which of course, I loved. Upon arrival, we had tea waiting for us and our butler carefully unpacked our luggage so that we were all set up in the room. 

Food and Beverage

The St. Regis has 3 restaurants and the bar and wine vault. I’d recommend going to the bar and wine vault for your complimentary drink (which you get with your $40 a day resort fee). At the bar, you’ll also get to see the staff perform the champagne sabering ceremony. 

The restaurants include the BH Burger Bar, the property’s relaxed and casual dinner spot. There’s also La Gourmandise, a cafe/restaurant where you can enjoy coffee and pastries. Lastly, you’ll find Atlantikós, a full-service Greek restaurant open daily from 7 am to 10 pm. They also serve poolside food and the hotel breakfast. 

Best of all, there’s a delicious afternoon tea which is so good that I included it in my list of the best afternoon tea around the world.

Amenities 

There are two pools on the property. When you first step outside you’ll face the family pool and then up a few stairs from the family pool, you’ll find the adults-only pool. If the pools don’t appeal to you, you’re also just a few steps away from the Atlantic ocean where you’ll also be able to set up with the St. Regis’s chairs and umbrellas.

Prices at the spa start at around $159 for a half an hour massage so if you’d like to up the ante of your vacation, be sure to book in a treatment with them. Included in your resort fee is also a fitness class at the hotel gym. I’m sure you’ll find this hotel gym to be even nicer than the one you visit at home (I know I did!) with brand new equipment and ocean views. 

What I Got Up To 

One of the coolest things I did during my stay at the St. Regis Bal Habour was participate in the champagne sabering class, so now I know my way around a saber! 

I also made use of the guest bicycles and of course, basked in the sun and enjoyed the exceptional food and beverage service. The chaises by the beach have these cute little flags that you raise whenever you’d like more refreshments – no need to get up and wave your arms like you’re drowning until someone comes over. 

After a long, hard day of relaxing it was time for… more relaxing. We enjoyed the hotel’s amazing tea service, which involved scrumptious treats and a huge assortment of teas and other drinks. It was the perfect activity for a girls’ day out, especially when followed by a visit to the spa, of course. 

The Verdict 

When looking for a hotel in Miami, you really can’t go wrong with the St. Regis Bal Harbour. It offers an amazing top shelf experience and shows that there’s a lot more to Miami than the infamous party scene. 

Planning a trip to Miami soon? Make sure you check out the St. Regis Bal Harbour. Check prices and book your room today. If you’re planning on staying here or you’ve stayed here already, let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear how your stay was!

In the meantime, why not check out more amazing locations for a girls’ trip?