February 15, 2007

US & Canada | US | Florida | Fort Lauderdale

Five-Star Florida

By Mark Jolly

Why the sunshine state is shining a little brighter.

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When you think of South Florida, fine art probably does not spring to mind. But there’s about to be an excuse for an educational excursion. Amidst a sea of regional pop artists like Romero Britto, an Andy Warhol exhibit will open at the Miami Art Museum on March 2 — one day after now, two months before the St. Regis, Fort Lauderdale welcomes its first guests. The five-star resort, wedged between the Atlantic and the Intercoastal Waterway, was created by design-stars Hirsh Bedner Associates (Mandarin Oriental Miami, The Fairmont Vancouver Airport and the Intercontinental Phoenicia Beirut). The St. Regis doesn’t just offer full-service trimmings like beachfront butler service, but also access to the links at The Diplomat Country Club and The Club at Emerald Hills. If that’s not the kind of driving you had in mind, there’s always the option of seeing the “Venice of America” in style.