Miami’s northern edge surprises with a vast resort built around a century-old Banyan tree, a testament to visionary development that transformed 750 acres into a destination now known as Aventura.
Yes, Turnberry Isle Miami offers a blend of luxury and family-focused activities. Its extensive grounds, multiple pools, and dedicated kids’ club make it well-suited for vacations with children, while adults can enjoy the golf and spa amenities. The overall atmosphere aims for an enriching experience.
Aventura’s Luxury Retreat
This expansive resort, situated on 300 tropical acres between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, presents itself as a South Florida treasure. It’s recognized for its commitment to authentic experiences and a detailed itinerary of enriching activities designed to appeal to a wide range of visitors.
Named among “World’s Best Resorts” and recognized by Forbes, Turnberry Isle Miami stands as a prominent South Florida destination. The property boasts two championship golf courses, both redesigned, alongside a highly-regarded steakhouse. Additional amenities include a specialized tennis academy and a children’s camp, ensuring activities for all ages.
Recent additions enhance the culinary and wellness offerings with a new dining spot and a renovated spa facility. These complement the resort’s already impressive features, including two swimming pools, all easily accessible from the 398 spacious guest rooms and suites. The Mediterranean-style architecture is set against a backdrop of a nature walk, providing easy access to nearby beaches and a major shopping mall.
Family Vacations
Golf Enthusiasts
Accommodations Designed for Comfort
The resort provides 398 guest rooms, including 27 suites that range significantly in size. These accommodations are designed with an emphasis on premium materials and thoughtful details, featuring hardwood floors in entryways, carpeted bedrooms, high-quality linens, and fine furnishings. Each room offers a private terrace with views of the meticulously maintained golf courses, gardens, or pools, contributing to an elevated guest experience.
The suite options include three presidential suites and five apartment-style suites, offering additional space and amenities for those seeking more extensive living quarters. Visitor feedback frequently notes the generous size of all rooms, with even standard accommodations described as exceptionally large, a valuable feature for families or those desiring ample personal space.
Within the 398 available rooms are 27 suites, with sizes scaling up to an impressive 2,500 square feet. This includes three dedicated presidential suites and five apartment-style suites, catering to varied needs for space and privacy.
Every guest room is appointed with hardwood flooring in the entry areas and comfortable carpeting in the bedrooms. High-end linens and sophisticated furnishings are standard. A key feature is the private terrace, offering curated views of the resort’s golf courses, lush gardens, or serene pools, enhancing the sense of a private, tropical escape.
Culinary Delights On-Site
The resort’s dining establishments provide a range of culinary experiences, from upscale steakhouses to casual poolside grills, ensuring that guests have excellent options without needing to leave the property for an exceptional meal. This focus on in-house dining aims to provide convenience and quality for all visitors.
BOURBON STEAK
This modern American steakhouse, helmed by an acclaimed chef, offers a refined dining experience. Known for its premium, all-natural beef selections, the restaurant prepares cuts grilled over wood, served with a choice of Japanese or American Wagyu and USDA Prime. The establishment features an extensive wine cellar with over 850 selections and a bar focusing on classic cocktails. Private dining rooms are available, offering an exclusive atmosphere for parties.
Special Occasions
Foodies
CORSAIR kitchen + bar
Offering contemporary American cuisine, CORSAIR provides a more relaxed yet sophisticated dining environment. Its open kitchen concept allows guests to see their meals prepared, focusing on fresh, simply prepared dishes. The setting is ideal for any meal of the day, from breakfast and brunch to dinner, and features an outdoor patio with views of the golf courses.
LAGUNA GRILL
Located at the Lagoon Pool, this grill offers poolside dining with tropical island fare. The menu includes healthy options and specialty drinks, making it a convenient choice for guests enjoying the pool area, especially families with children who may not want to leave the water.
Lobby Lounge & Onyx Bar
The Lobby Lounge provides small plates and drinks in the main lobby area, suitable for casual meetups. The Onyx Bar, situated by the Cascata Pool, offers light fare and frozen drink specialties, catering to a more relaxed poolside experience. In-room dining is available 24/7, with special catering options for various dietary needs, including Kosher, Vegan, Vegetarian, and Paleo menus.
Championship Golf Courses
Turnberry Isle Miami is recognized for its 36 holes of championship golf, featuring two distinct courses. The resort has earned a strong reputation in the golfing world, including a 4-star rating from Golf Digest and an award as “Golf Resort of the Year.” Both courses have undergone significant redesigns, enhancing their appeal and playability for serious golfers and enthusiasts.
The Soffer Course and the Miller Course, each spanning 18 holes, offer challenging play across lush, tropical landscapes. These courses are characterized by elevation changes, contoured fairways, and strategically placed water features that are integral to the design of nearly every hole. The landscaping incorporates indigenous Florida flora, creating a private and aesthetically pleasing environment on each hole, with considerable investment made in beautification.
The design of the courses emphasizes a natural integration with the tropical surroundings, with each hole offering a sense of seclusion. Occasional art installations are subtly placed within the foliage, adding an artistic dimension to the natural beauty of the grounds. These courses are designed to provide a memorable golfing experience, combining strategic challenges with scenic vistas.
Golfing Vacations
Scenery Lovers
ÂME Spa & Wellness Collective
Opened in early 2017, the ÂME Spa & Wellness Collective represents a $2.5 million renovation dedicated to holistic well-being. This luxury spa draws on a curated group of international practitioners who blend Eastern and Western wellness modalities. The program focuses on personalized health plans, fitness, and a wide array of spa and beauty services.
The spa’s core philosophy centers on highly individualized care. On-site clinicians offer functional and integrative health plans aimed at improving cognitive function, hormonal balance, and weight management. A cosmetic and reconstructive surgery institute is also available for consultations and procedures. The menu boasts over 70 distinct treatments, addressing both aesthetic and functional needs through various therapies, including massage, aromatherapy, and color therapy.
Unique treatments are offered alongside traditional ones, incorporating innovative technologies. The spa also includes a full-service salon, and its “Camp ÂME” program offers focused retreats on nutrition, beauty, and fitness, led by experts. A diverse schedule of over 96 weekly classes caters to various fitness interests, including yoga, spinning, Pilates, and HIIT. The 20,000-square-foot facility spans three floors and includes 22 treatment rooms and specialized studios for yoga, cycling, Pilates, and weight training.
Wellness Travelers
Fitness Enthusiasts
Family Fun and Activities
Turnberry Isle Miami offers extensive activities for younger guests through its Kids Club, providing a supervised environment for children aged 4 to 12. Activities include arts and crafts, sports, and fitness classes, with a summer camp program that expands to include visual arts, performing arts, and team-building exercises.
The Laguna Pool is a significant attraction for families, featuring a large, lagoon-style design unique to South Florida. It includes a lazy river, waterslide, and splash pool, offering hours of entertainment for both children and adults. This extensive pool area ensures that families can enjoy the sunny climate while staying active and entertained within the resort grounds.
The resort’s commitment to catering to families is evident in its dedicated children’s programs and extensive pool facilities, designed to provide a memorable and fun experience for younger travelers. The combination of structured activities and expansive recreational areas ensures that children remain engaged throughout their stay. I find these types of comprehensive family offerings particularly reassuring when planning a trip; knowing the children will be entertained and cared for allows for a more relaxed experience for everyone.
Active Kids
Water Fun Enthusiasts
Exploring the Surroundings
Beyond the resort itself, guests have convenient access to external attractions, including the beach and a major shopping destination. The resort’s location provides a balance between a secluded oasis experience and proximity to popular local amenities.
The resort is bordered by a 2.9-mile nature walk, offering a chance to experience the local environment. Easy access to the beach allows for classic seaside enjoyment, while the nearby Aventura Mall provides extensive retail opportunities. This combination of natural beauty and commercial convenience adds another layer to the visitor experience.
The development of the area, stemming from a vision in 1967, has created a community that blends residential luxury with resort amenities. The historical aspect of building around a significant natural feature like the Banyan tree underscores a commitment to integrating with the environment, a principle that continues to shape the identity of the resort and its surroundings.
Visitor Logistics
Planning a visit to this expansive resort involves understanding its core offerings and how they cater to different types of travelers. The sheer scale of the property and its diverse amenities, from world-class golf and spa treatments to family-focused recreation, requires a clear idea of priorities.
While the resort is designed to offer a complete experience, its integration with the wider Miami-Dade area means local attractions are also within reach. This dual accessibility, to both the resort’s internal offerings and external points of interest, is a significant advantage for planning a varied itinerary.
When considering a stay, it is advisable to explore the various packages and programs available, particularly those tailored to families or specific interests like golf or wellness. The resort’s history of renovation and expansion suggests a continuous effort to enhance the guest experience, making it a dynamic destination.
Turnberry Isle Miami provides a comprehensive resort experience, blending luxury amenities with family-friendly activities and a strong connection to its tropical surroundings.
