This Lady is a Trump

Donald Trump, the man who brought us Trump World Tower, Trump Palace, Trump Parc and various other eponymous residential properties says of his first development in the Miami area: "It is the equivalent of owning everything on Fifth Avenue from 52nd to 57th Street." And so we are curious about the 32-story, 400-room Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort on the pristine front of Sunny Isles Beach, due to open January 27, 2003. At first glance, it seems like it has a lot going for it.

Location: The resort sits on the underdeveloped stretch of beach in South Florida, and it's also just a skip away from Miami's tourist attractions, the tony communities of Golden Beach, Bal Harbour, world-class shopping (Prada, Gucci, Saks Fifth Avenue etc.), and just 20 minutes south is the world-famous Art Deco District of South Beach.

Supersize: Its oversized (most ranging in size from 550 to 1,773 square feet) guest rooms feature panoramic ocean and Intracoastal Waterway views from private balconies, "elegant, contemporary furnishings in a rich, dark walnut finish complimented with aqua chenille fabrics in muted soft tones. European marble foyers with granite counter tops…" Some even sport a jacuzzi tub on the balcony.

While you take a dip in the resort's free-flowing oceanfront pool take a moment to really enjoy the six million dollar waters --- that's how much the creation of this sophisticated wet playground cost. Getting too hot in Florida's humid climate is definitely not an issue, as the beach and pool cabanas are all air-conditioned, and you can always cool down with a drink at one of the three lounges or poolside bar.

Amenities: Of course, you get all the usual suspects from a supersize resort: There's an 8,000 square-foot spa, a beauty salon, fitness center, shops, full-service business center and 22,000 square feet of meeting and function space, game room, "Just Us Kids" program etc. The resort can arrange deep sea fishing and sailing charters, departing daily from nearby Haulover inlet and marina. Golfers will be glad to know that the resort also has an affiliation with several nearby private courses and can arrange tee times and transportation.

Dining: Naomi's Grill, the resort's signature restaurant overlooks the ocean and pool deck with indoor and patio dining. The menu offers Continental cuisine with a tropical flair. The restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seats 90 indoors and 50 on an outdoor poolside patio. The Lobby Lounge offers refreshing beverages and daily continental breakfast, including fruit smoothies, fresh squeezed juices, and pastries, as well as light lunch fare. The bar serves specialty martinis and Champagne. Other options are The Wave, which is designed as a warm and comfortable living room with oversized couches and chairs, and Gili's Pool Bar and Grill for light fare such as salads, sandwiches, and snacks and cool, refreshing beverages.

Now we just got to get some time off to enjoy all that beachside lounging.