What’s Haute South Florida

By Sara Neff

For a place as dynamic as South Florida, it can be hard to keep up with what is haute, and what is not. To help you navigate through all the area’s offerings, we present this month’s ‘What’s Haute’ suggestions, filled with the most luxurious, hottest, über sophisticated hotels, spas, restaurants, lounges, and private clubs. The list is a virtual how-to guide of finding the area’s best venues, with the perfect mix of innovative newcomers and established locales that are still worthy of your time.

FOUR SEASONS RESORT PALM BEACH
2800 South Ocean Blvd.
Palm Beach
561.582.2800
Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach is an elegant oceanfront property located in relaxing Palm Beach. The resort offers the finest amenities and services that only Four Seasons can have. 210 guest rooms, 13 of which are suites, outfit this exclusive resort. If relaxation is your goal, take a look at their beautiful spa, which offers a wide range of rejuvenating and restorative treatments. Or, you can lounge at the oceanfront pool surrounded by lush palms and gardens where pool attendants are on duty with towels, lemon water, Evian spritz, and fresh-cut fruit. Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach is famous for its exquisite, award-winning dining; The Restaurant is one of only three AAA Five Diamond restaurants in South Florida. Executive Chef Darryl Moiles prepares delectable specials daily to accompany the menu’s southeastern cuisine.

[highlight_text] Loftin has turned the mansion into one of the most spectacular private members’ clubs in the world. [/highlight_text]

CASA CASUARINA
1116 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach
305.672.6604
In a city known for its distinguished residences, Casa Casuarina is the most distinguished of all. For the first time since 1930, the prestigious Casa Casuarina is a private, invitation-only membership club. After purchasing it in 1992, couturier Gianni Versace painstakingly restored, expanded, and embellished the mansion – adding the south wing, pool, and garden. In 2000, Peter Loftin purchased the home after Versace’s tragic death. Loftin has turned the mansion into one of the most spectacular private members’ clubs in the world. Loftin recruited the likes of Wolfgang Birk to be the executive chef at Casa. Birk, formerly of Bice in Miami, creates cuisine rooted in the Mediterranean but fused with true Miami style. Casa boasts an award-winning concierge service that is able to arrange everything from yacht charters to celebrity events.