Five-Star Quality

There are parties and then there are parties—the kind that require not one but two nights of celebration… and five-course meals featuring caviar and quail eggs… and celebrities flown in for the occasion… and fireworks, big, loud fireworks. No one was surprised that the début of The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort was grand, but that didn’t mean that the festivities for the hotel’s opening weekend were short on surprises. In fact, nothing during those 48 hours was in short supply. First up was a private (70 VIPs or so) dinner at J&G Grill on Friday night, at which guests enjoyed the culinary talents and aforementioned delicacies of chef Jordi Vallés, as well as a performance by vocalist and pianist Niia Bertino, a performer who brought new meaning to hits by the likes of Lady Gaga and Rihanna with her jazz reinventions of their Top 40 pop songs.
“Where did they find her? Where can I see more of her?” many an enamored guest wondered. “I’m from New York,” she said as if on cue, midway through her spectacular piano set. Equally enchanting—although on a much grander scale—was the celebration’s second night and official opening party. Spirits were high from guests and St. Regis management, who were ready and eager to show off what millions of dollars, tons of cement and months of much-anticipated construction can bring about. The nerve center for all the activity was the resort’s pool and surrounding gardens, which were transformed with all varieties of culinary stations and ice sculptures galore. Celebrity sightings were common as hosts Diane Kruger, Jason Wu and Nacho Figueras made the rounds and posed for pictures. (Much would be said in the press about Kruger’s cape-slash-dress ensemble—from Mr. Wu’s own collection, of course—on the days following the party.) Even Wolf Blitzer made an appearance (he just happened to be staying at the hotel we later learned). There were plenty of local luminaries and Miami social types as well, of course, including Daisy Olivera, Iran Issa-Khan, Sam Robin, Criselda and Jonathan Breene, Walid, and Susie Wahab and Rodner Figueroa.
After a toast by General Manager Marco Selva, the night sky erupted with a dynamic fireworks display and the Champagne kept flowing. Not even a temporary downpour dampened party spirits. “This was really something else,” said guest Manny Machado. “I’m sure I’ll be coming back.” And just like that, the St. Regis’ bright future in Miami is all but written. Photography by Getty Images and Justin Namon/F90 Photography