A posh playground of privilege and pampering, Bal Harbour Village might be the most indulgent square mile in the world. South Florida’s glitzy resort community dazzles with sparkling beaches, sensational shopping, divine dining and heavenly accommodations, not to mention celebrity sightings that rival Hollywood’s red carpet.

BY GINGER STREJCEK
The chic boutiques and charming cafes of the legendary Bal Harbour Shops are a hotspot for socialities and superstars alike. Paris Hilton, J-Lo, Beyonce, Brandy and Cher are just a few of the famously fashionable faces recently seen on the scene. Here, in the esteemed ranks of Gucci and Prada, Chanel and Cartier, Versace and Armani, the sky’s seemingly the limit. And the view just can’t be beat.

Located at the northern tip of Miami Beach, this barrier island is a tropical oasis that bathes its guests in scenic splendor. Since the town was incorporated in 1946, it has become a jet-setting destination of exclusion and seclusion.

The village’s oceanfront resorts add to the sumptuous surroundings. The Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort, a AAA Four-Diamond property overlooking ten acres of beachfront coastline, features a $12 million fantasy aquatic area with a lagoon-style pool, Jacuzzis, waterfalls and a waterslide. The European-style Sea View Hotel Bal Harbour, with its custom French furnishings, Olympic-size pool and 50 private cabanas, has been a family favorite for generations.

After some fun in the sun, those celebrated shops of Bal Harbour beckon with two floors of flagship stores, including Hermès, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Valentino, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Lined with palm trees and fountains, the open-air promenade has been branded with the world’s leading designers. Shoppers can recharge their batteries at a Mediterranean café, Italian eatery or Parisian tea salon – among the dining options.

If that’s not enough, Bal Harbour is mere minutes from South Florida’s renowned nightlife and cultural attractions.

For more information, visit www.BalHarbourFlorida.com.

Above: Located at the northern tip of Miami Beach, Bal Harbour Village is a tropical oasis that bathes its guests in scenic splendor. Top: South Florida's glitzy resort community features divine dining, sparkling beaches and sensational shopping. Guests at the Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort can enjoy a $12 million fantasy aquatic area, complete with waterfalls and Jacuzzis. Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton are among the famous faces that frequent the chic boutiques of Bal Harbour Shops.