The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami

With a commanding presence on the stunning white sand beach, the luxe Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour is part of the prestigious Bal Harbour Village neighborhood, full of swanky shops and celebrity-frequented restaurants. (Stay on Star-Alert, you never know who you may see). Reserve a private cabana and spend an insanely perfect day poolside, sampling sips and nibbles from the Pool Bar & Grill. (Sushi on Fridays/Saturdays.) The brilliantly named Exhale Spa offers 10,000 square feet of sheer bliss. Enjoy gorgeous ocean views from the private treatment suites as you indulge in a Signature Flow Massage, Power, After Sun or Magic Facial, acupuncture treatment or Glow Body Scrub. Treatments are available in the privacy of your suite as well. The fitness center is open 24-hours a day and is well appointed with state-of-the-art cardio and strength-training equipment. Or join one of the award-winning fitness classes, like Core Fusion Barre or Flow Yoga. For dinner, the sea-to-table menu and ocean views beckon at Bistro Bal Harbour – a favorite among locals as well. Grab a table on the patio and take your sweet time perusing the 60+ options on the wine and craft beer list before moving on to the main menu.

Welcoming one- and two-bedroom suites range from 1150 to 1650 square feet, trumped only by the massive Presidential Suites which offer practically double that amount of living space – perfect for going all out for a special occasion. All suites feature semi-private elevators and personal entrances. Fully equipped kitchens treat you to high-end touches like granite counters, gleaming stainless steel appliances and even espresso makers, if you want to show off your barista skills. That said, the resort’s 24-hour room service has your back if all that shopping, poolside lounging and spa-ing did you in. Six-piece bathrooms feature soaking tubs that overlook the ocean, Asprey bath amenities and an oversized shower. There’s even a TV embedded in the bathroom mirror (how cool is that?). The spectacular views from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the spacious living area may be all the entertainment you need. Or shake up some cocktails and step out onto the terrace for the full ocean air effect.

Beachfront sunrise strolls are popular with the early birds, and consider your afternoon spoken for, with the designer boutiques at nearby Bal Harbour Shops. Get your popover-with-strawberry-butter fix at the Zodiac inside Neiman Marcus, just one of many tempting options for lunch (offers a special menu for “little shoppers” if you happen to have some along). Wrapping up your browsing come dinner time? Go for fresh Italian fare and celeb-spotting at local favorite, Carpaccio. The local art scene continues to thrive – check out Unscripted, a fairly new Bal Harbour public art program, featuring some of the art world’s biggest names. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, just five miles away – and take a look at the schedule for film screenings under the stars. Got some golfers in your crew? Disappear for a few hours of friendly competition at Greynolds Golf Course, just six miles from the resort.