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<br />rather than the skimpily-clad twentysomething revelers (e.g, Snooki and the Situation) from Ocean Drive
<br />or the glitzy social climbers from the Fontainebleau (which is bigger than the Titanic).
<br />
<br />Among the 390 rooms are one- and two-bedroom suites
<br />with living rooms and kitchens. Vast marble bathrooms
<br />with Jacuzzis and walk-in showers are private, as are .,,', 11' , .
<br />Ohe balconies. A contemporary American menu at the ,:.' ;_-< .II~" ~t~ -..I1/ri ':. -.
<br />hot~I's ind~or/ou~door.restaurant, .Neomi's, provides a ~i ~'l~: -4:tijJ'~i.;'
<br />tropical flaIr: mOJo skirt steak (with com and tomato J~~l U.':' .;;~ .
<br />relish, plantain chips stewed black beans and mojo- ~- _ ."
<br />churri); salmon adobo (chili spice-rubbed salmon, with'. . .
<br />tostones, papaya-mango chutney, and cram a); for r . l.
<br />dessert lemongrass f1an; and cocktails that include a '. .
<br />blackberry caipirinha (homemade blackberry-orange .
<br />marmalade, mint, and ca~haca).
<br />
<br />Staying in one of the private cabanas, where massages are available, is an added luxury whether you're
<br />lounging on the beach or by the hotel's pools. The grounds include two condo towers and four tennis
<br />courts. The gym is well- equipped, enabling guests to do a full workout, which they can follow with a
<br />relaxing facial, mineral bath, or body scrub at the Aquanox Spa, which caters to both men and women
<br />(from body wraps to waxing). After a couple of hours on the tennis courts and a work out in the gym,
<br />your body will appreciate the "Traveling Man" two-hour treatment ($225), which features a brisk salt and
<br />eucalyptus oil exfoliation, followed by a eucalyptus herbal bath and ends with a relaxing massage. Trust
<br />me, your muscles will thank you.
<br />
<br />
<br />In and Around Sunny Isles
<br />
<br />Charter boats docked along the Intracoastal Waterway at Haulover Beach Park offer deep-sea fishing.
<br />Haulover's nine-hole par 3 golf course and tennis courts beckon sports enthusiasts. If you want to see
<br />C'Jw the locals spend their leisure time, head to Oleta River State Park for the mountain bike trails,
<br />layaking, canoeing and family-friendly picnic pavilions.
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<br />A 1 a-minute drive down to 9700 Collins Avenue takes
<br />. you to the upscale Bal Harbour Shops mall, which is as
<br />ritzy as Rodeo Drive or Fifth Avenue. Armani,. Bottega
<br />Veneta, Tiffany, Jimmy Choo, Neiman Marcus,
<br />Ermenegildo Zegna, and a host of luxury stores and
<br />restaurants make this Florida's hottest shopping
<br />destination. Unlike Rodeo or Fifth though, this mall is
<br />rarely crowded, has great sales, the best goods aren't
<br />picked over and the salespeople are truly friendly.
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<br />Free shuttle-bus service takes you to the Aventura Mall
<br />(19501 Biscayne Blvd,), a short ride across the Lehman
<br />Causeway, where you'II find Bloomingdale's, J.e.
<br />Penney, Macy's, Nordstrom's, an Apple store and a 25-
<br />
<br />screen multiplex.
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<br />Consider planning your Sunny Isles adventure around one of these upcoming events:
<br />
<br />June 10 - 13, 2010: Third Annual Sunny Isles Beach Offshore Powerboat Challenge, Professional
<br />offshore race teams and fans from all over the world stream into Sunny Isles Beach to watch amateurs
<br />ad professionals alike compete in the Bimini Ocean Challenge.
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