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MIAMI LIVING 75 EXCLUSIVE: PLACES If you're looking for a luxurious, peaceful, and memorable escape from the grind of daily life, the first place on your list should be none other than Emilio and Gloria Estefan's Costa d'Este Beach Resort in Vero Beach, Florida, a tropical beach community that's home to this tucked- away gem poised to redefine style, comfort, and intimacy in Florida's vacation industry. Costa d'Este Beach Resort is operated by Benchmark Hospitality International, and is the newest resort to hit Florida's famous hospitality scene. Since opening in June of last year, the resort has wowed visitors with its high levels of comfort and quality. That the new posh resort is located in Vero Beach, part of Florida's beautiful 'Treasure Coast'—only a few hours' drive North of Miami—is a bonus, as this upscale beach community is well known for its laid-back atmosphere and year-round cultural arts scene. In fact, Vero Beach is widely considered one of the top arts towns in America. Costa d'Este is a $50-million dollar luxury resort that combines the essence of the Estefans' exceptional style, taste, and multicultural sophistication. This 94-guestroom resort includes four one-bedroom suites, a signature bar, an infinity-edge swimming pool and cabana bar, full-service spa and fitness center, and elegant facilities for special events appealing to leisure travelers from all walks of life. Its stunning architecture is an homage to mid-century modern design that features geometrical concepts and pleasing organic and curvilinear forms. Accommodations begin with sleek marble floors, custom-designed furnishings, Egyptian-cotton bed linens, ocean- view balconies, flat-screen televisions, and even include Ipod docking stations, as well as wireless Internet access. The bathrooms are glorious, with spacious oval-shaped showers made from tumbled limestone, Kohler rain showerheads, and Hansgrohe hand-held shower units. Resort amenities include numerous luxuries such as the bi- level Spa, a full-service facility with sea-grass and Mother-of-Pearl mosaic-tile wall coverings, limestone surfaces, walnut furnishings, and marble and wood flooring, where guests are able to enjoy holistic treatments in a calm atmosphere with the restorative sounds of rippling water in the background. There's also a state-of- the art fitness center equipped with cardio, circuit- and strength- training equipment, as well as free weights. Additionally, nearby there are world-class tennis courts, championship golf courses, sportfishing, snorkeling, and diving. This charming town also offers ecology-oriented attractions such as Pelican Island and Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuges, and the St. Sebastian River Buffer Preserve. And, of course, the resort wouldn't be an extension of the exquisite Estefan taste without the couple's signature Oriente restaurant that features gourmet fare in celebration of their Cuban heritage. Executive Chef David Rodriguez has a flair for creating unique, mouth-watering dishes inspired by Spanish, Latin, and Creole traditions. Vero Beach has long been associated with attracting artists, writers, and poets to its unspoiled, spectacular stretch of the Florida coast, so it's no wonder that the Estefans opened their very special resort 135 miles north of the hustle and bustle of their beloved Miami. For rate information and more, visit: www.costadeste.com, or call toll-free (877) 562-9919. You're practically guaranteed to have a great time at Costa d'Este Beach Resort (3244 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach). If you don't, maybe you're not trying hard enough…. ML Costa d'Este Beach Resort For the next time you just have to get away…. Words by Marla E. Schwartz