Hautels

Pleasures abound for those fortunate enough to take full advantage of all that the luxury lifestyle has to offer. Whether it be fueling up the private jet for a jaunt over to Vegas, taking time off to take in the pleasures afforded on a plush megayacht, delighting in the delectable treats offered at one of the city’s many top-rated restaurants, or relishing in some retail therapy at some of our favorite shopping venues, the benefits of affluence cannot be denied. With this in mind, we present the premiere of our “Hautels” section of Haute Living, showcasing some of South Florida’s most opulent hotels and resorts. With amenities for both jetsetters and local residents, these four hospitality centers are ready to tend to your every whim.

The Setai

Five years ago, The Setai infused the serenity and elegance of an intimate tropical escape with the Art Deco history and red-hot scene of South Beach. This summer, the property’s five-year anniversary celebration continues its
Miami sizzle with inspired gastronomic pleasures and a lively selection of culinary events.

Needing not a highfalutin name, The Restaurant at The Setai draws on dynamic ambiance and a delectable evolution of Asian cuisine. Combining classic and modern techniques, The Restaurant’s award-winning expert team of specialty chefs delivers authentic dishes rich in history and flavor. This season, The Restaurant unveiled a new signature menu eliciting the tastes of the season using only the finest ingredients available, many of which are locally farmed or fished.

The three-course “Summer at The Setai” pre fixe menu features an ever-changing range of dishes that awaken the palate. The menu includes a number of Chefs Specialties and includes a choice of three appetizers, entrées, and desserts for just $50.

Guests can also partake in Setai’s spirited affair through “Bottleshock,” the brainchild of Sommelier Dwayne Savoie. Proffering 60 hand selected wines from around the world, Bottleshock wines have all scored more than 90 points from Wine Spectator and are available at 40 percent off the regular price points. Complementing the The Setai’s world-class wine list and edible delicacies is a schedule of events including Balinese Hour, Flavors of India Wednesdays, Thursday Night Jazz at The Setai, and Dim Sum and Champagne Fridays. — Diana Gdula

2001 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach
305.520.6000
www.setai.com
Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach

Relax in the Crystal Steam Room, lounge underneath the Roman Waterfall, treat yourself to a calming massage in one of the numerous oceanfront treatment rooms, and say “ahh” at ESPA.  Situated at the private and pristine Sunny Isles Beach property of the opulent Acqualina Resort, the European-style spa, ESPA is truly a state-of-the-art vacation oasis.

To show appreciation to its loyal customers, and in honor of the hotel earning the prestigious 2010 AAA Five Diamond Award, ESPA has recently launched an exclusive Diamond Rewards Loyalty Program. This membership program will offer frequent hotel guests and South Florida residents the opportunity to earn Diamond Reward Points for every dollar spent at ESPA. These points will be redeemable for products, treatments, and other spa services. In addition, Diamond cardholders will have access to preferred room rates, complimentary valet parking, and 10 percent discounts at Aria Bar & Lounge, among many other resort perks.

So why not invite your friends and family to step inside paradise and succumb to the pleasures of ESPA. The 20,000-square-foot, two-story spa also has a unique event room where mini-treatments can be enjoyed among groups of friends. It is the ideal place to have a relaxing girl’s night out or a rejuvenating bachelorette party. ESPA recommends making a day of it—come in early, step into the peaceful spa sanctuary, and begin to unwind. There’s no excuse for delaying luxury. — Brittany Custin

17875 Collins Ave.
SUNNY ISLES BEACH
866.502.8843
www.acqualinaresort.com

Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Ten years ago, Mandarin Oriental ushered in a new era in Miami hospitality, marked by five-star service, flawless décor, and heavenly amenities, all in an unmatched waterfront setting on Biscayne Key. To properly prepare this milestone, the luxury city resort completed an extensive renovation, resulting in a redesign of the 295 guestrooms, a rejuvenated Oasis Beach Club with chic outdoor furnishings, and a renovated Presidential Suite.

The guestrooms’ new look comes courtesy of Atlanta-based designer Jan Clausen, who opted to add custom pillow shams, Anichini bed linens, and Oriental lantern-inspired bedside and floor lamps that evoke the resort’s Asian feel. Each room includes a balcony overlooking the Miami skyline or the sparkling waters of Biscayne Bay. To get a closer look at the water, head to Oasis Beach Club, the property’s private beach. We recommend the cabanas, which are havens of privacy, perfect for enjoying a relaxing treatment from the on-site five-star Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami.

In honor of the anniversary, guests who book a minimum three-night stay receive a $100 resort credit, daily breakfast for two, and a choice of a “Top 10” luxury extra from a list that includes everything from a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, to chocolate covered strawberries or bath and shower oil at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental. It’s a fitting way for guests to celebrate any special occasion of their own. — Elena Chiriboga

500 Brickell Key Dr.
Miami
305.913.8383
www.mandarinoriental.com

The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach

As the summer cools down, The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach is just heating up. Accustom yourself to barefoot elegance and soak up the fabled treasure coast of South Florida right from The Ritz-Carlton’s magnificent beachfront location.

Nestled among the timeless elegance of the sea, The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach invites genuine revival with its Resort Reconnect package. Now through December 18, Resort Reconnect brings the warmth of the sun together with unparalleled luxury and impeccable service. Resort Reconnect treats guests to a traditional breakfast buffet at Temple Orange, the restort’s delectable oceanfront restaurant, which features Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and Italian fare for dinner. The package allows for a tailor-made vacation with a $100 resort credit, which can be applied to the bountiful shopping, dining, and recreational options. Sip a martini and test your wit with a game of chess at Eau Spa Cuisine, bask poolside with vodka snowcones while the children play at AquaNuts or Coast, or indulge at Eau Spa by Cornelia. Eau Spa by Cornelia is The Ritz-Carlton’s glamorous 42,000 square-foot water playground. Pause, play, and perfect with innovative treatments in one of Eau Spa’s 19 treatment rooms, including 12 spa villas, private herb gardens, outdoor baths, and rain showers. — Diana Gdula

100 South Ocean Blvd.
Manalapan
561.533.6000
www.ritzcarlton.com