10 Reasons Acqualina is the Best Independent Hotel

1. Five-Star, Five-Diamond Standard

Acqualina holds both the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award and the AAA Five Diamond Award, a testament to our uncompromising quality and service​.

Acqualina evokes a Mediterranean lifestyle and is Florida’s only hotel that is completely open to the sea with no barriers between the building and the shoreline. The resort can be described as a peaceful retreat, just steps off the pristine sand into the Atlantic.

The Dream Maker Culture empowers team members to recognize hotel guests’ preferences and create memorable moments that we call “WOW” Stories.

2. Family-Owned & Operated

With personal involvement from ownership, including CEO Deborah Yager Fleming, every decision reflects a passion for guest satisfaction and hands-on care​.

3. Stunning Accommodations

Oversized guest rooms and suites (starting at 600 sq ft), all with private terraces and ocean or Intracoastal views, designed with opulence and warmth​.

4. Signature Dining Experiences

From Il Mulino New York and Avra Estiatorio to Ke-uH Japanese and Costa Grill, Acqualina is a culinary destination—each venue boasting oceanfront dining and exceptional culinary experiences.

5. Unrivaled Guest Services

With Guest Experience Managers (our GEMs) and an intuitive Acqualina App, personalized luxury is seamless—from online cabana bookings to private bar customization.

6. Award-winning Family Programming

The AcquaMarine Kids Club blends education and play through marine biology-themed activities, while parents unwind at the award-winning spa​ and pools.

7. Acqualina Spa: A Tranquil Sanctuary

Spanning 20,000 square feet with Himalayan salt walls, crystal steam rooms, and a Roman waterfall spa, Acqualina Spa is a wellness sanctuary.

8. Architectural & Design Excellence

Inspired by a Mediterranean villa, the resort features stately iron gates, Baroque fountains, and new event spaces infused with old-world charm​.

9. Supporting Local Communities + Sustainability

Acqualina Resort’s story of community impact centers around a partnership with the "I Have a Dream" Foundation Miami Chapter, established by Acqualina’s principal owners. This impactful program transforms the lives of at-risk children in Miami.

From biodegradable dining containers to Seed to Skin Tuscany amenities in reusable ceramics, sustainability is deeply embedded in our luxury ethos​.

10. Experiences + Amenities

Acqualina is always looking to elevate the customer experience and introduces new services every year for guests to have an exceptional beachfront getaway from curated art installations and new in-room amenities to family activities and wellness programs.

Acqua Experiences offer curated adventures for guests of all ages: scuba diving, oceanfront painting classes, proposal planning, soccer lessons, and more​.