JW Marriott Turnberry Is the Miami Resort that Has It All

You expect a JW Marriott property to have its share of glitz. Less likely is the notion it would also come with equal amounts of kiddish charm.

The JW Marriott Turnberry Miami Resort and Spa has the former in abundance, with two championship golf courses, luxurious rooms, an opulent pool, a steakhouse featuring a menu by a Michelin-starred chef, a VIP room, a very good 19th-hole casual-dining restaurant, a Manhattan-esque cocktail lounge, and a fashionable pro shop.

And yet it makes sure it has children at heart, too. The on-site Tidal Cove Water Park washes the glam away and has everyone giggling with its water slides and Lazy River inner-tube ride, where kids and adults can go for a placid float. Tidal Cove is the largest water park in South Florida and has an expansive pool area with lounge chairs that hotel guests can access. The water park has its own restaurant with kid favourites like pizza and chicken fingers.

While Tidal Cove, located outside the hotel entrance, is the most discernible family feature, the resort has cultivated a welcoming atmosphere for kids and their parents. The staff were quick with a smile and playful comments for my son. The âme Spa even offers adorable kid treatments that cost $25 and pampers them for 15 minutes with their choice of face masks, eye gels, foot or hand wraps. The golf courses are challenging but there were enough short holes for Gabriel to bang some balls.

Guests staying at Turnberry can also take advantage of the driving range and putting green on days when they don’t have a tee time. That bonus provides a great opportunity for kids to get some practice in.

The JW Marriott Turnberry manages to have all of the kid elements and still make the stay sophisticated for couples or golf groups. It has its adults-only areas, including the main pool inside the hotel grounds and Soff’s cocktail lounge. Guests can savour specialty drinks or cocktail staples and small bites while listening to live music or watching a game at the bar.

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The flagship restaurant is a Bourbon Steak franchise, a quality steakhouse brand founded by chef Michael Mina, one of America’s most acclaimed culinary talents. The menu is decadent and it delivers on its promise of an exceptional dining experience. The wine list is a thick book that oenophiles will lose themselves in. While the California Cabernets will draw attention, the best value is in the Argentinian Malbecs, which also happen to be ideal pairing partners for the filet mignon or ribeye you’re sure to order.

The steak is buttery; mine was cooked medium rare and sliced like sashimi under the branded blade of the Bourbon Steak knife. Just as pleased with his meal was Gabriel, who declared the rosemary-dotted French fries the favourite he’s ever had.

Being in Florida means key lime pie for dessert, and of course Bourbon Steak makes a good one.

Also outstanding is Corsair, the JW Marriott Turnberry’s less formal on-site restaurant that faces the golf courses. It’s suited for a post-round meal, serving burgers and salads, along with its own steak choices. The recommended dish on the menu, though, is the locally caught seared striped bass, served with farro, a tasty ring of squash, and toasted pecans. It’s delicate and flavourful at the same time, thanks to the sweetness of the squash and the earthiness of the farro.

It may not be your typical golf resort dish but foodies or those looking for a change of pace from Bourbon Steak’s rich selections will appreciate the option.

Golf at Its Finest in Miami

The two courses at the JW Marriott Turnberry debuted in 1971, the brainchild of noted golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. and the property’s original financier Donald Soffer. Like a lot of real estate in Florida, the property emerged from swamp land. Formerly the Turnberry Isle Country Club, it has gone through a number of owners and property managers, and most recently teamed with the JW Marriott brand in 2017.

The golfing history is celebrated — Frank Sinatra played at Turnberry multiple times; Raymond Floyd re-designed the courses in 2007 — and the reputation as a South Florida gem is a source of pride at the property. Caddies are available to guide you, the practice areas are well cared for, and the roaming amenity cart is stocked with libations.

Of the circuits, the Soffer Course is the more challenging while the Miller Course has shorter yardage and reputedly more forgiving fairways. We played the Soffer Course, which drips with beauty. The fairways are manicured to resemble a gorgeous undulating carpet, and the greens are true and fast. The hazards include iguanas — they come in small, big, or enormous sizes.

Among the highlights is a stone pathway that connects to the island green on hole No. 7 that might make you imagine Augusta National’s famed Hogan Bridge. The most challenging hole, I found, was the closing one. The par-5 No. 18 requires a smacking good tee shot to clear the water hazard and reach the fairway more than 200 yards away from the blues.

Make it and you’ll feel invigorated; fall short, like I did, and you can still stare up at the languid palm trees and feel the pinch of heat on your arms and take comfort in the fact you’ve played one of the most beautiful courses in Florida, with a pristine resort steps away ready to placate you.

MORE ABOUT VISITING MIAMI

Getting There: Air Canada has a direct option from Miami to Vancouver that is the longest non-stop flight in North America. The flight takes seven hours, but is extremely convenient for west-coast travellers seeking a sun getaway. The airline also has direct flights from Toronto and Montreal.

JW Marriott Turnberry Miami Resort and Spa: The resort is located in Aventura, a suburb just north of Miami. Downtown Miami is a 30-minute drive south and Fort Lauderdale, home to Lionel Messi and the Miami FC soccer team, is about 30 minutes north.
Location: 19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura, Florida (see map below).

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MORE TRAVEL INFO

The Visit Florida website includes a wealth of trip-planning info.

Vacay.ca occasionally publishes content outside of Canada. In this feature article, Managing Editor Adrian Brijbassi profiles one of Miami’s most luxurious and historic resorts. His visit was supported by Visit Florida and its affiliated properties. No organization, business, or third-party individual reviewed the content before it was published.