"How did it strike you on arrival?Stepping into The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort feels a little bit like entering an abstract art gallery: the entryway is a largely empty room, save for an enormous metal sculpture hanging from the ceiling and a few tufted chairs and couches that you may or may not be allowed to sit on. Keep walking and you’ll find yourself in the lobby, which is equally artistic with its dark marble floors, massive chandeliers, and geometric, mirrored walls. Importantly: Tell us about your room.I splurged on a butler-serviced Astor Oceanfront Junior Suite, which, at 675 square feet, was more than big enough for two people. It had a separate dining room, lounge area, and kitchenette. As is customary of design duo Yabu Pushelberg, the room was largely outfitted in a neutral palette, with pops of color throughout and a gold/mirrored headboard-slash-installation in the bedroom. The pièce de résistance, however, was the 210 square-foot balcony. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?Climbing out of the fluffy king-sized bed each morning was no easy task. (Maybe I should have called the butler.) How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that worth a mention?Not that you'll likely want to cook during your vacation, but the kitchen does have a two-burner stove, dishwasher, and Subzero fridge. And the hotel has a "Delights Delivered" program, which lets you order anything from a dozen long-stem roses to a personalized birthday cake. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.The bathroom was luxe: double vanity, deep soaking tub, dual-head rain shower, and a separate, frosted glass-fronted water closet for privacy. Toiletries come from the on-site Remède Spa. We all need some good Wi-Fi. What’s the word on that?High-speed Wi-Fi is complimentary throughout the property; guest rooms also have wired internet connections. What's going on with food and drink here?The St. Regis has four different restaurants, including a gourmet burger bar, a French café (go for afternoon tea), a mezze-focused Greek restaurant, and a wine bar. All of those specialties, plus more, can be ordered at any time of the day via the staff. Do yourselves a favor and start each day with the hotel's "Bloody Sunrise," a Florida twist on the Bloody Mary, with a surprising citrus zest. Did the staff make an impression?The St. Regis’s staff is pro and proactive about anticipating your needs. I received an email a week before our trip asking if there was anything that they could do to prepare for our arrival. What about the spa? Inspired by Caroline Astor The St. Regis Spa is a 14,000 square-foot cathedral of pampering with a warren of 12 treatment rooms and facials and body treatments using luxurious product lines like Sothy’s, Omorovicza, and Intraceuticals. The spa’s 24K Gold Wrap exemplifies their opulent offerings with a 90-minute “journey” that includes a full-body exfoliation using a golden sugar scrub, followed by a scalp massage and a hydro massage. Anything stand out about other services and features?The adults-only Tranquility pool is a quiet haven. If you really want to treat yourself, book an Oceanfront Day Villa; the 600-square-foot beach cabana has air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, and shower. If you’ve ever wanted to witness someone open a bottle of bubbly with a sword, make sure you’re in the St. Regis Bar and Wine Vault by 7:30 p.m., when a nightly sabering demonstration takes place. Bottom line: worth it?All of this luxury and personal attention doesn’t come cheap, so if you’re planning a stay here, take full advantage of the amenities. It's more “special occasion” than business hotel (though if it’s on the company, and the company doesn't mind, go for it). We met honeymooners, babymooners, and more than one couple celebrating an anniversary during our stay." - Jennifer M. Wood
