Acqualina Resort Earns Forbes Travel Guide Responsible Hospitality Badge for Third Year

Acqualina Resort & Residences has earned the 2026 VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality badge from Forbes Travel Guide for the third consecutive year, the Miami oceanfront property announced on October 23, 2026. The resort said the recognition covers plastic elimination, local sourcing and community outreach. PR Newswire carried the announcement.

Acqualina's Third Straight Responsible Hospitality Badge

Responsible Hospitality is the official sustainability verification for Forbes Travel Guide's community of Star-Rated hotels in more than 80 countries, according to the resort. The assessment verifies hotels on practices to protect the environment and support employees, guests and the community. Forbes Travel Guide, which began as Mobil Travel Guide in 1958 and created the first Five-Star rating system in the United States, describes itself as the only independent global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruise ships. Its Star Awards follow an in-person inspection process.

Acqualina said its sustainability work includes eliminating single-use plastics, reducing paper use, and locally sourced seasonal menus across its restaurants. The resort cited partnerships with the Miami-Dade County Sea Turtle Program, regular beach clean-ups, annual food drives for the Broward Outreach Center and toy drives for Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Since 1995, Acqualina has been involved in the community through founding the Miami chapter of the I Have a Dream Foundation.

"Earning this distinction for the third consecutive year is a true reflection of our team's dedication to caring for our guests, our residents, our community and the beautiful coastline we call home," said Deborah Yager Fleming, CEO & Partner of Acqualina Resort.

Acqualina's Scale and Recent Moves

Acqualina is a family-owned, Forbes Five-Star luxury beachfront resort in Sunny Isles Beach, Miami, operating 98 guest rooms and suites and 188 residences, five restaurants, the first ESPA-branded U.S. spa, event venues and a residential real estate arm, according to akta.pro company records. The same records list 4.5 beachfront acres and a $1.8 billion valuation for The Estates at Acqualina residential development under Jeff Giasson's direction. Acqualina Wellness Club debuted in May 2026 as part of the resort's 20th anniversary celebration, and the Il Mulino New York restaurant renovation and relaunch was completed in March 2026.

Earlier Acqualina Recognition This Year

In August 2026, Acqualina was named the #1 Best Destination Resort in the United States for 2026 by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, its sixth time receiving the distinction, PR Newswire reported. American City Business Journals reported the same month that the 98-room oceanfront property has held Forbes Five-Star status for 14 consecutive years. In May 2026, Acqualina marked its 20th anniversary with a redesigned Il Mulino New York restaurant, exclusive Seed to Skin Tuscany spa treatments and a new Oceanfront Villa Suite, PR Newswire reported.

What Comes Next for Acqualina

Acqualina said more information about its sustainability initiatives is available on its sustainability page.