Loulou's views

When travelling, I take full advantage of being on vacation mode. This means where I stay is as important as where I go. Splurging on accommodations is something to consider when you're travelling to south Florida–especially in Miami–because there are so many fabulous hotels that will make you feel like you're a million miles from home. Just a short drive from downtown Miami you'll find the exclusive and luxurious village of Bal Harbour, home to the iconic St. Regis hotel —recently named the best hotel in south Florida. There are not many St. Regis hotels in the world (50, to be exact) yet each one offers the same incredible service in a luxurious setting where you can truly unwind and feel a bit like royalty. You'll even receive a glass of champagne upon check-in. The St. Regis Bal Harbour, recently awarded the coveted Forbes Five-star and AAA Five Diamond award, is an oceanfront haven of elegance, and the place to go for people with impeccable taste for the good l...

One of my favourite places to escape to is Bal Harbour in Miami. For those who love the life of luxury, there is no better place to go in south Florida. The Bal Harbour village is stylish, luxurious, and relaxing. From oceanfront hotels to the best shopping in the world at Bal Harbour Shops, there is always something to do, whether you're travelling with friends, family, or as a couple. People watching at Carpaccio's in the Bal Harbour Shops, swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, enjoying a cabana at the Ritz-Carlton, or relaxing by the pool, Bal Harbour is simply paradise. Quarzo Bal Harbour The Bal Harbour Quarzo Boutique Hotel is a modern European-style waterfront hotel next to the Ritz-Carlton. This hotel features spacious accommodations and residence-style studios and suites—truly a home away from home for people travelling with a large family and children. I loved the clean and spacious rooms. Our suite had two large bedrooms, (one with two que...

I'm back from my warm and sunny south Florida vacation, and I'm already planning my next trip back, because Bal Harbour is my happy place. Last year, I stayed at and reviewed the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour —and it was every bit as fabulous as you'd expect from a Ritz-Carlton stay. If you haven't been to Bal Harbour yet, here are four reasons why it should be on your travel bucket list. Four Reasons To Fall In Love With Bal Harbour: Bal Harbour Shops :  Bal Harbour Shops, named the world's most productive shopping centre, is paradise found for a shopaholic. Shopping in Bal Harbour is an experience like no other, and no matter what you're looking for, you'll find it. All the best designer stores can be found here: Balenciaga, Chanel, Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, Tiffany & Co., Valentino, Rag and Bone, Tory Burch, and many more. There's also Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, on either end of th...

The village of Bal Harbour is South Florida's most glamorous travel destination and has been one of my favourite places to vacation for years.  The village of Bal Harbour is considered the "jewel" of South Florida, and when you arrive, you can easily see why. Bal Harbour is my go-to place to get away from it all, featuring the very best of everything: five-star restaurants, luxurious shops, and family-friendly (and couples-friendly) accommodations, like the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort.  As much as I love to travel and explore different destinations from Aruba to Greece, there is something I especially love about south Florida, and in particular, Bal Harbour. Bal Harbour epitomizes luxury living, from the St. Regis to the Bal Harbour Shops right across the street. It's a place where you're constantly surrounded by beauty, so heading back to reality is a little bit of an adjustment. St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort During my recent stay in south Florida, I was ...