On Location: Turnberry Isle Miami Resort

One of my favorite places on the planet is the French Riviera. The stunning panoramas, refined lifestyle and superb cuisine make it a phenomenal getaway. For an American translation of a Cote d' Azur resort, Turnberry Isle Miami in south Florida is a luxury golf enclave with a decided French and Italian Riviera flair.

Set on 300 impeccably landscaped acres enveloped by tropical foliage, the multi-amenity resort is a wonderland of stucco facades, terra cotta roofs, pillars and arched promenades. Best of all, the secluded environment creates an atmosphere of exclusivity and isolation, yet, you're just a few minutes from the massive, luxurious Aventura Mall and only a 20 minute drive from glitzy South Beach and a wealth of dining, shopping and entertainment options.

GOLF

The two 18-hole championship golf courses--Miller and Soffer--were originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1970 and later redesigned by PGA TOUR great Raymond Floyd in 2006.

Floyd did a masterful job of modernizing the layouts and transforming them into fun-to-play, yet challenging resort courses with lots and lots of eye candy.

The courses have lush landscaping, coquina shell waste areas, waterfalls and other aesthetic touches. Contoured fairways, clever doglegs, sculpted bunkers undulating greens and strategically placed water features present many challenges.

Masters Champion Floyd has stated he wanted to achieve a "tropical Augusta look" so his design team created rolling berms planted with colorful indigenous shrubs to frame each hole. Turnberry Isle Miami courses are among the most photogenic in Florida.

The Soffer Course finishes in grand style with a spectacular 64-foot waterfall that provides a memorable finish on an island-style 18th green.  Stretching to 7,047 yards from the championship tees, the Soffer Course is the more difficult of the twosome. Landing areas are fairly generous, however, Floyd demands accuracy on approach shots to the greens or it's bogey time or worse.

Measuring 6,417 yards, the Miller course is a bit more kinder and gentler. While the Soffer Course is dotted with tall, majestic palm trees, the Miller has tropical trees like ficus, banyon and black olive.

For a video view of the courses at Turnberry Isle Miami, click to Golf Travel Guru T.V.

ACCOMMODATIONS/AMENITIES

Four towers with Mediterranean style architecture contain 408 guest rooms, which are pet-friendly and non smoking. Each room has a private balcony and is appointed in soft neutral tones of almond and beige with hardwood floors and plush carpeting. French doors open to flower-lined balconies with spectacular view of fairways and greens or pool gardens.

My room view

Room amenities include:

--47 inch LED flat screen TV
--iHome AM/FM clock radio and docking station
--Pet-friendly services
--Keurig coffee maker
--Luxury skin and hair toiletries
--Complimentary plush robes and slippers

Resort amenities include:

Exclusive Beach Club
Spa and fitness center
Marina
Jogging trail
Tennis center
Kid's Connection program
Valet parking

10 Little Things I Like:

1. The marble appointed bathroom with whirlpool bathtub, separate shower with large shower head and Molton Brown toiletries.

2. The delicious little green apples and tangerines and ice cold water with lemons and oranges at the front desk.

3. The elegant and comfortable Lobby Lounge with its plush furniture, hardwood floors, massive chandeliers and piano, which is great place to enjoy a drink after a round or before dinner.

4. The Tiki Bar at the Cascata Pool.

5. The convenient five-minute walk to the Aventura Mall.

6. The extremely easy access to golf just outside the back door of the resort. It's only 75 steps from the pro shop door to the starter's hut.

7. My room's balcony, a great place to enjoy morning coffee or a glass of wine in the evening.

8. The 1,600-foot long Lazy River at the Laguna Pool.

9. The spectacular tropical foliage dominating the resort that serves as a natural buffer from the outside world.

10. The Keuring coffee maker in my room.

DINING & LOUNGING

Bourbon Steak Miami, a Michael Mina Restaurant--The headliner restaurant at the resort, this contemporary steakhouse with its chic mirrored walls and wood burning grill features more than 1,000 bottles in its wine cellar. If you love grilled steaks, seafood and poultry, Bourbon Steak delivers big time.

Cascata Grill--With an outdoor terrace setting, this restaurant offers excellent al fresco dining with views of the Miller golf course and tropical vegetation.

Laguna Grill--Outdoor dining by the pool with a menu featuring salads, sandwiches, burgers and frozen cocktails.

Beach Club Grill--A casual eatery with sandwiches, wraps and salads.

Lobby Lounge--A classic cocktail lounge brimming with plush, comfortable large chairs and couches, a creative appetizer menu, fireplace and piano.

THINGS TO DO

Aventura Mall--A three-minute walk from the front door of the resort, this super mall has 300 stores and restaurants and a 24-screen movie theater. Anchor stores include Nordstrom, Macy's and Bloomingdale's. Restaurants such as Bella Luna italian restaurant and Johnny Rockets.

Bal Harbour Shops--The posh Bal Harbour Shops on Collins Avenue, about a 10 minute drive from Turnberry Isle has stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, specialty shops like Michael Kors and Bulgari and restaurants such as Zodiac Cafe at Neiman Marcus, Carpaccio and Makoto.

South Beach--About a 20-minute drive south of Turnberry Isle, this dynamic beach area is brimming with fashionable hotels, an internationally flavored dining and nightclub scene and a spectacular Art Deco district. Great shopping at upscale boutiques and numerous al fresco dining options are possible on Lincoln Road, which is lined by designer stores, sushi bars, elegant Euro-style bistros and steak houses.

Calder Race Course-- Located 12 miles from the resort, this gaming and racing complex features thoroughbred horse racing, 1,200 slot machines and poker.

LOCATION

The resort is located at 19999 West Country Club Drive in Aventura approximately 17 miles north of downtown Miami. Turnberry Isle Miami is 12 miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and 18 miles from Miami International Airport.

GET THE SCOOP

For more information on the resort, click to Turnberry Isle Miami Resort. To check on rates and availability, call 866-612-7739.