acqualina reviews?

jyc · 07-01-2008, 11:34 AM

anyone have one for a family vacation?

3DH · 07-01-2008, 12:11 PM

While I can't help you on the Aqualina from the INSIDE, I can tell you that the beach is very nice there! LUSSO's units are at the Trump Palace, just a couple of doors down... the following photo shows the Aqualina and a bit of the beach, as well. There are obviously plenty of activities removed from the ocean to do in Miami, as well.

The second pic is from the street looking back toward the Trump with the Aqualina in the foreground.

I can also tell you that the spa must be nice, as our concierge actually recommended it over the Trump's... so, take some time for yourself!

Enjoy your trip... I would say that as long as there is a great, calm beach (like exists there), the kids will have a great time!

Kagehitokiri · 07-01-2008, 03:00 PM

(talking about service only >)

used to be very well regarded when rosewood managed it...

i seem to recall some good reports in the luxury hotels forum on flyertalk. i definitely remember there was a virtuoso travel agent that said they/clients thought very highly of it.

no idea now...

Desties · 07-07-2008, 01:47 AM

JYC, I'm slated to check it out in two months, so I'll come back with a report if you don't come back with one first.

I've stayed at the adjacent Trump (like 3DH) and can vouch for the quality of the beach. It's one of the better chunks of Atlantic coastline beachwise, and not as crowded as the zoo you'll find all the way down in South Beach.

There is an Il Mulino downstairs if you fancy high-end Italian. It has gotten mixed reviews, but it's also new so it may take some time to get up to speed with the original Il Mulino in New York.

willmyclubmakeit · 07-07-2008, 09:17 AM

I've heard terrific comments from people that have stayed there when I did my diligence on UE. I believe it also had the highest occupancy of the UR properties last year which should say something about the home and location.

Desties · 07-07-2008, 04:52 PM

That is very interesting. The Trump property next door is/was one of the least used properties in the PE Platinum family, even during the peak holidays.

That seems to have changed now that it's been moved from Signature to Premiere. It used to be a poor value within Signature but is a great one in Premiere.

3DH · 07-07-2008, 04:55 PM

PE's unit is within the Sonesta, correct?

LUSSO originally leased a unit there while the penthouses at the Trump Palace were under construction. While I like both units (only saw photos of the earlier, however), the TP unit is very nice as there is direct elevator access, private pools & spas and more of a "residential" feel to the entire building.

Kagehitokiri · 07-07-2008, 05:20 PM

the trump development that used to be managed by sonesta is now managed by trump, and is a condohotel.

whereas trump palace is a residential development isnt it?

3DH · 07-07-2008, 05:23 PM

Correct... units at the Trump Palace and Trump Royale are owned.

bean · 07-12-2008, 06:57 PM

I've been there twice (oct, feb) and think it would be great for a family vacation. We went couples only once and ladies only once- so i have not tested the kids facilities. I did see plenty of kids both times and have friends who have been with kids and loved it. The beach is great, there are several pools and there is a kids camp. The ur unit is quite nice- front and back balconies with great views and very well outfitted. Il Mulino was good (the prawn special was amazing) and we enjoyed the beach/pool snack bar. South beach was a long cab ride away- but we did it multiple times to enjoy a few nights out. I highly recommend the spa. The treatments were great, the steam room is the best I've ever seen and they have a day fee if you want to stay at the pool or beach beyond checkout and go in for a nice shower before your flight. Have fun.

Kagehitokiri · 07-12-2008, 11:45 PM

welcome to the forum bean.

thanks for the report.

Kagehitokiri · 08-12-2008, 07:05 PM

over at flyertalk's luxury hotels forum >

:thumbsup: from virtuoso TA that posts occasionally View Single Post

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABG

20 minutes south of FLL is Acqualina. This is currently, in my opinion, the best in South Florida. Service is response, spa and F&B is excellent. Room product is very impressive. Hotel ground, pool and beach are all very good. The area is so so, but I have seen people check in and not leave the resort area except for dinner.

:thumbsdown: from one of the newer regular posters View Single Post

Quote:

Originally Posted by vuittonsofstyle

I don't think that Acqualina was any good even when it was under Rosewood - too big and pretentious - very Vegas-on-sea. It will take time to see if the owners can manage it themselves, but I would not be too optimistic.

There was a piece in the UK Conde Nast Traveller this month, but it must have been written when Rosewood were still managing Acqualina. I had a friend from Europe go there towards the end of the Rosewood contract and he was not at all impressed.

07-01-2008, 11:34 AM	#1
jyc Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 7	acqualina reviews? anyone have one for a family vacation?

07-01-2008, 03:00 PM	#3
Kagehitokiri Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,321	Re: acqualina reviews? (talking about service only >) used to be very well regarded when rosewood managed it... i seem to recall some good reports in the luxury hotels forum on flyertalk. i definitely remember there was a virtuoso travel agent that said they/clients thought very highly of it. no idea now... Last edited by Kagehitokiri; 07-07-2008 at 05:22 PM.

07-07-2008, 01:47 AM	#4
Desties Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 199 Club: Private Escapes	Re: acqualina reviews? JYC, I'm slated to check it out in two months, so I'll come back with a report if you don't come back with one first. I've stayed at the adjacent Trump (like 3DH) and can vouch for the quality of the beach. It's one of the better chunks of Atlantic coastline beachwise, and not as crowded as the zoo you'll find all the way down in South Beach. There is an Il Mulino downstairs if you fancy high-end Italian. It has gotten mixed reviews, but it's also new so it may take some time to get up to speed with the original Il Mulino in New York.

07-07-2008, 09:17 AM	#5
willmyclubmakeit Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 111 Club: UE Signature	Re: acqualina reviews? I've heard terrific comments from people that have stayed there when I did my diligence on UE. I believe it also had the highest occupancy of the UR properties last year which should say something about the home and location.

07-07-2008, 04:52 PM	#6
Desties Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 199 Club: Private Escapes	Re: acqualina reviews? That is very interesting. The Trump property next door is/was one of the least used properties in the PE Platinum family, even during the peak holidays. That seems to have changed now that it's been moved from Signature to Premiere. It used to be a poor value within Signature but is a great one in Premiere.

07-07-2008, 04:55 PM	#7
3DH Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 654 Club: LUSSO Collection	Re: acqualina reviews? PE's unit is within the Sonesta, correct? LUSSO originally leased a unit there while the penthouses at the Trump Palace were under construction. While I like both units (only saw photos of the earlier, however), the TP unit is very nice as there is direct elevator access, private pools & spas and more of a "residential" feel to the entire building. __________________ "Boutique" is better! Another extremely satisfied LUSSO member!

07-07-2008, 05:20 PM	#8
Kagehitokiri Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,321	Re: acqualina reviews? the trump development that used to be managed by sonesta is now managed by trump, and is a condohotel. whereas trump palace is a residential development isnt it?

07-07-2008, 05:23 PM	#9
3DH Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 654 Club: LUSSO Collection	Re: acqualina reviews? Correct... units at the Trump Palace and Trump Royale are owned. __________________ "Boutique" is better! Another extremely satisfied LUSSO member!

07-12-2008, 06:57 PM	#10
bean Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1	Re: acqualina reviews? I've been there twice (oct, feb) and think it would be great for a family vacation. We went couples only once and ladies only once- so i have not tested the kids facilities. I did see plenty of kids both times and have friends who have been with kids and loved it. The beach is great, there are several pools and there is a kids camp. The ur unit is quite nice- front and back balconies with great views and very well outfitted. Il Mulino was good (the prawn special was amazing) and we enjoyed the beach/pool snack bar. South beach was a long cab ride away- but we did it multiple times to enjoy a few nights out. I highly recommend the spa. The treatments were great, the steam room is the best I've ever seen and they have a day fee if you want to stay at the pool or beach beyond checkout and go in for a nice shower before your flight. Have fun.

07-12-2008, 11:45 PM	#11
Kagehitokiri Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,321	Re: acqualina reviews? welcome to the forum bean. thanks for the report. Last edited by Kagehitokiri; 08-12-2008 at 07:05 PM.

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