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6 Things I Loved About The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort [Review]

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Juan Ruiz
Edited by: Jessica Merritt
& Ben Neighbors-Giles
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The author was a guest of The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. All opinions are the author’s own, and neither The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort nor its parent company, Marriott International, had input in any part of this review.

One of the things I love about living in South Florida is that I don’t have to travel far to feel like I’m on vacation. About a 30-minute drive from my home, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort sits on a quiet stretch of Miami’s coastline. It’s away from the crowds of South Beach but with upscale shopping across the street and neighboring Surfside close enough to explore on foot.

I visited in October 2026 with my wife and youngest daughter, expecting a luxurious beachfront hotel, but was surprised to find a comfortable family-friendly getaway.

Here are 6 things I loved about my stay and why I’m looking forward to returning.

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1. I Can Visit Again With Marriott Points or a Free Night Certificate

I enjoyed my stay at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort so much so that I’m considering a return stay in early summer 2027.

St Regis Bal Harbour entrance sign
I’ll likely return in the summer — when rates are more aligned with my budget.

I plan to use Marriott Bonvoy points or free night certificates from my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card to book my stay.

These certificates provide an annual free night award worth up to 85,000 points after renewal. Marriott allows members to add up to 25,000 points to these certificates, so I can book award nights costing up to 110,000 points.

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A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.
Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
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  • Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
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  • Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Earn up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status.
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With nightly cash rates ranging from around $979 to as much as $3,000 during peak season, this is exactly the kind of resort where I’d happily redeem Marriott Bonvoy points or a free night certificate to save a serious amount of cash.

Hot Tip:

My strategy to maximize the free night certificate is to check Marriott’s flexible calendar for nights costing between 85,000 and 110,000 points. That way, I can use my 85,000-point free night certificate and top it off with up to 25,000 points to book a luxury hotel that might otherwise cost me over $1,000 per night.

2. The Location Makes It Easy To Slow Down

The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort is just a short drive from South Beach, but it feels like a world away from the crowds and chaos. Since I already live in the hustle and bustle of South Florida, I was looking forward to a quieter escape.

I’ve stayed at The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami, just a few doors down, and I visit the neighborhood often. It’s one of my favorite areas in Miami, with a gorgeous beach, upscale shopping, and a short walk to restaurants and stores.

The resort is directly across from Bal Harbour Shops, one of Miami’s most upscale shopping destinations. If we wanted to venture out for dinner, South Beach, Sunny Isles Beach, and Aventura are all just a few minutes away.

I loved having so much nearby while still being able to enjoy a few quiet days at the resort without feeling like I needed to go anywhere.

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3. We Had Space and Ocean Views

Our king room was generously sized at about 650 square feet, with a private balcony overlooking the ocean. It also featured a large bathroom with a bathtub and shower combination. The expansive balcony with stunning views of the pool and beach was the highlight.

Give me a spacious balcony where I can sneak away for some quiet time when traveling with family and enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, and I’m a happy guy.

4. The Beach Is the Star of the Show

I’ve lived in South Florida for most of my life, so I know a good beach when I see one. The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort’s beach is a beauty.

The beach was quiet, with gorgeous turquoise blue water and warm temperatures during my October visit. The sand was soft and never got too hot to walk on, and what I loved most was that there were rarely more than a dozen people on the beach at a time.

The resort has 2 pools, one for adults and another for families. Both were nice, but I thought the main pool was a little small for a resort of this size, with so many families visiting. But I’m a beach guy, not a pool guy, so that didn’t bother me much.

5. It Was More Family-Friendly Than I Expected

I had no doubt that The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort would be luxurious, but I wasn’t sure how kid-friendly it would be.

I was pleasantly surprised to find numerous family-friendly features, including the complimentary gelato cart in the lobby, bike rides, the beach, and the family swimming pool.

One of the most surprising activities was the on-site petting zoo, offered every Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. My youngest daughter, who joined me on this stay, begged me daily (multiple times) to take her to the petting zoo to feed the goats, rabbits, and ducks. This was a major highlight for her and something she still talks about even weeks later.

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There’s also a grassy lawn with a basketball hoop, soccer goals, and games, another place for kids to run around and have some fun. There were plenty of entertainment options for all ages, and I got to relax a little and enjoy the pool and beach.

6. The House Car Was a Rolls-Royce

A house car isn’t unusual at a St. Regis, but complimentary rides at The St. Regis Bal Harbour were in a Rolls-Royce.

The rides are available within a 2-mile radius, and I took the opportunity to ride in style to a popular ice cream shop nearby.

It’s a practical perk for guests who want to leave the property for meals. On my next stay, I plan to take the complimentary Rolls-Royce to the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, one of my favorite hotels in the world, for dinner.

Hot Tip:

Arrange your Rolls-Royce ride with the concierge in advance, especially for return rides. We did a 10-minute walk back from the ice cream shop in Surfside, but for longer outings, I’d happily take a quick Uber or Lyft back if the complimentary car wasn’t available for the return trip.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed my stay at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. The beach was easily my favorite part. The spacious room was a big plus, and I appreciated that it was very family-friendly.

I’m already looking at dates to bring the family next summer, when rates are a bit more reasonable. If I can make the numbers work with my Marriott Bonvoy points or free night certificate, I could easily see this property being my new go-to spot for an annual staycation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort from Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports?

The resort is about 15 miles from Miami International Airport (MIA) and 16 miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Depending on traffic, expect the drive to take around 30 to 45 minutes from either airport.

How much does it cost to stay at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort?

Cash rates typically range from around $979 to more than $3,000 per night, depending on the dates. You can also book with Marriott Bonvoy points (starting from 100,000 points per night) or use an eligible free night certificate. During my search, I found several nights bookable with an 85,000-point certificate, topped off with up to 25,000 additional points.

Is The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort family-friendly?

Yes, the resort is family-friendly. It has a family pool, direct beach access, and activities for kids, including lawn games, bikes, and even a weekend petting zoo. My daughter especially loved the daily gelato cart.

Do all rooms at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort have ocean views?

Yes! Every room and suite has an ocean view and a private balcony. Even the entry-level rooms are spacious, starting at around 650 square feet.

Does The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort have an adults-only pool?

Yes. There are 2 pools, including an adults-only pool and a separate family pool. There’s also a beautiful stretch of beach just steps away, which was my favorite spot during our stay.

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About Juan Ruiz

Juan is a leading expert in credit cards, loyalty programs, and airlines and hotels, with over a decade of experience helping readers and clients maximize points, miles, and travel value. His insights have appeared in prestigious outlets including USA Today, Travel & Leisure, CNN Underscored, Forbes, and The Points Guy, where he’s known for making complex travel strategies accessible and actionable. As the founder of JetBetter, Juan turns the complex world of points and miles into effortless, high-value travel, guiding clients through award redemptions, uncovering maximum value, and delivering stress-free, expertly planned trips that both travelers and industry insiders rely on.

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