LIFE BEYOND FIRST CLASS
PASSPORT
THE CARIBBEAN
WITHOUT CUSTOMS
At Trump International Beach Resort, oceanfront suites,
genuine hospitality, and a remarkably relaxed atmosphere
have quietly made this Sunny Isles Beach retreat a
destination guests return to year after year.
REBECCA ETORIA
.jpg)
I knew I was in trouble the moment I started calculating how long I could stay.
Not because I had boarded a flight to the Caribbean. Not because customs had stamped my passport. And not because I was gazing out at some far-flung island destination.
I was in Sunny Isles Beach.
Halfway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Trump International Beach Resort delivers something many travelers spend hours on airplanes searching for: the feeling of a Caribbean escape without ever leaving the United States. By the end of the weekend, I understood why so many guests return year after year.
The first clue came before I even reached my room.
Valets moved with effortless choreography, whisking away luggage and vehicles while greeting arriving guests with genuine warmth. Walking through the front doors, I was met with warm smiles and heartfelt good afternoons that felt less like hospitality training and more like a sincere welcome.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Inside, the atmosphere balances South Florida glamour with residential comfort. Marble floors, rich wood finishes, living walls, mother-of-pearl accents, and an illuminated onyx reception desk create an elegant first impression, yet nothing feels overly formal. The resort seems to understand that true luxury is often less about spectacle and more about putting guests at ease.
A short elevator ride later, I found myself walking down a quiet corridor on the 27th floor toward a one-bedroom corner suite.
When I opened the door, the Atlantic Ocean immediately stole the room.
Floor-to-ceiling windows framed an endless expanse of blue water and sky, the kind of view that stops you mid-step. Only after several moments did I begin to notice the suite itself, which revealed its greatest strength: space.
Not hotel-room space, but genuine living space.
A full kitchen, expansive living area, private balcony, laundry room, generous storage, and a bathroom large enough to rival many luxury residences transformed the suite from accommodation into something far more appealing—a temporary home.
Standing on the balcony the following morning with coffee in hand and the Atlantic stretching endlessly before me, I realized I had nowhere to be.
For many travelers, that may sound ordinary. It isn’t.
The greatest luxury I encountered during the weekend wasn’t found in the marble, the ocean view, or the spacious suite. It was the rare sensation of time slowing down.
Days unfolded naturally here. Breakfast overlooking the ocean. Long walks along the shoreline. Hours spent with a good book beneath an umbrella while waves rolled onto the sand.
Dining became an extension of that relaxed rhythm.
At Gili’s Beach Club, tables sit just steps from the sand, perfectly positioned for long lunches and unhurried dinners. Under the direction of Chef Allyson, seafood arrives fresh, vibrant, and beautifully prepared. A whole snapper and lobster brought back memories of meals enjoyed throughout the Caribbean, where fishermen deliver the day’s catch directly to waiting kitchens.
Palm trees swayed overhead. The ocean provided a constant soundtrack. In the distance, the skyline of Sunny Isles glowed softly in the afternoon light.
For a moment, it was easy to forget I was still in Florida.
Breakfasts proved equally memorable. Ocean views accompanied fresh juices and acai bowls, while James ensured every morning began with the kind of thoughtful service that never feels forced. There is a difference between efficient hospitality and genuine hospitality. Guests remember the latter.
The beach itself proved to be one of the resort’s greatest luxuries.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Despite visiting during Memorial Day weekend, the atmosphere remained remarkably peaceful. Families played in the surf, couples wandered along the shoreline, and others ventured to the nearby sandbar. Rather than the frenetic energy often associated with South Florida beaches, the mood felt relaxed and almost effortless.
One afternoon, while enjoying my first summer read beneath an umbrella, I found myself captivated by a small scene unfolding nearby. A mother seagull patiently taught her young chicks how to hunt, soaring overhead before diving into the water and returning again and again to demonstrate the process. It felt like a scene from a nature documentary, a reminder that some of travel’s most memorable moments are often the ones you never plan.
The afternoon passed without much agenda. I alternated between chapters of a summer novel and swims in the Atlantic while Omeish quietly ensured water, light bites, and frozen cocktails never seemed far away. At one point, I swam out to the nearby sandbar, floating in surprisingly warm water before returning to my chair. By then, several hours had disappeared without my noticing.
It was only later that I realized I hadn’t checked my phone in quite some time. Somewhere between the ocean, the book, and the simple rhythm of the day, the urgency of everyday life had quietly faded away.
Beyond the beach, guests can spend their days in private cabanas, relaxing beside multiple pools, challenging friends to oversized chess, or enjoying the resort’s multi-use sports court. Dedicated adults-only areas provide an added layer of tranquility, while family-friendly spaces ensure guests of all ages feel welcome.
Yet perhaps the most revealing aspect of the resort isn’t found in the amenities, the suites, or even the beachfront setting.
It is found in the guests themselves.
Throughout the weekend, I found myself speaking with visitors from Texas, South Carolina, and New Jersey. The conversations often ended the same way.
“We come back every year.”
One family shared that they had spent every major holiday at the resort for the past five years. What began as a vacation had evolved into a family tradition.
In an industry obsessed with novelty, loyalty remains the most honest measure of success.
Luxury travelers have more choices than ever. New resorts open constantly. Destinations rise and fall with social media trends.
Yet some places quietly endure—not because they are flashy, but because they make people feel good.
By the time I checked out, I understood exactly why so many guests had already planned their next visit before finishing their current one.
Trump International Beach Resort had accomplished something increasingly rare.
It had allowed me to completely relax.
And sometimes, that is the most luxurious amenity of all.
Plan Your Stay: Oceanfront suites, multiple pools, beachfront dining, and a prime Sunny Isles Beach location make Trump International Beach Resort an effortless South Florida escape. For reservations and additional information, visit www.trumpmiami.com
Join our mailing list to receive curated updates, special features, and invitations to events that define the world of the discerning few.
Sign up today and never miss what’s next.