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Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/62822
ON THE SCENE The result is stark and clean, but, y' know…with flair. In other words, St. Regis Bal Harbour is in a class of its own – which is, in essence, the way Inglourious Basterds actress Diane Kruger described it on the night of its unveiling (and she would know since she is, too). "St. Regis stands for class and luxury. I think it's a really great addition to Miami," she said. "I've only ever known the South Beach scene, but this is a nice option a little bit farther north. It's so classy, and immediately, as soon as you walk in, you just feel so relaxed." That's what we said. Serene & Swank As Kruger and Wu said, the St. Regis is the best grown-up option in town. A resort, by definition, is an escape, and this particular property is an oasis located far enough from the hustle and bustle of South Beach but close enough that you can do all the clubbing your little heart desires – not to mention, some high-class shopping and dining just a hop and skip away Why go off-site, though, when you can kick back, relax and do it all here. Run a power meeting. Have a lovely wedding (more on that in a moment), or an awesome first date – the St. Regis Bar & Wine Vault is particularly perfect for the latter with its refined drinks and light-bites menu. Sidebar: Nothing against the young'uns, but it's also a spot that should be kept as child-free as possible because it's just that cool – and the children can enjoy all of the St. Regis Kids Club, with all its games and whatnot, OK. Where were we? Oh, yeah…. Everything about this place is bespoke, so it's got a different shtick going than, say, the Delano, y' see. It's a different beast that caters to a different crowd. The St. Regis isn't really concerned with being trendy – its paramount goal is to be greater than great. In order to accomplish such a lofty goal, the hotel offers rooms and suites that should help guests feel better than being at home (Large condo-like spaces! European-style kitchens! Premium entertainment systems and smart tech!), without them having to lift a finger. (The St. Regis Butler Service is well known to every St. Regis Connoisseur for a reason.) There are swimming pools soundtracked by the sounds of the ocean, as well as multiple cabanas that nod to an Asian inspiration – some seem to float on water. It's all very serene. And swank. There are even a few private mini-suites guests can rent for the day that feature all the amenities of their rooms (dining tables, full bathrooms, TVs and Wi- Fi), should they be persnickety about crowds or sand in their Manolo Blahniks. And on top of 11,200 square feet of indoor meeting space, the St. Regis has this amazing fountain situation outdoors. It's – how can we put this…mmm – it's like, this tiered pyramid structure, and the water can be shut off, so you can say "I do" right on it, or make a grand debut into society from it, or stand there and proclaim you're fabulous and you know it. We are getting ideas…. Like a prayer…for a foodie If you're a Miamian and you still want to visit the St. Regis, you may not be able to crash the pool, but you will be able to stop by the resort's restaurants. The St. Regis signature restaurant is Vongerichten's J&G Grill. Located on the lobby's second floor, this thoroughly contemporary bar and grill has ridiculous floor-to-ceiling views of the Atlantic. We're talking 180 degrees. Some like that. We love that. It's rather grand, to be honest. We also are loving what we hear about Vongerichten's menu, which features yummy apps like black truffle pizza with Fontina cheese and tuna tartare, and entrées like this dish of glazed short ribs with apple-jalapeño puree. Check it out for brunch, lunch, and dinner. We will. Atlantico's a bit more casual a choice, but no less in line with the hotel's vibe. It serves a Spanish- inspired fare, and they're open for breakfast and dinner. Well, that's the St. Regis Bal Harbour in more than a nutshell. Be sure to stop by next time you're in the neighborhood. The resort is located at 9703 Collins Ave. For more information and for reservations, call 305-993-3300 or visit stregisbalharbour.com. ML MIAMI LIVING 37