Star-crossed lovers Ben Sobol and Laura MacNamara , played by Billy Crystal and Lisa Kudrow in the 1999 Warner Bros. comedy, "Analyze This", tried to the tie the knot on the deck of the fantasy swimming pool at Florida's Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort.

Their nuptials - umm - didn't go off quite as planned. Still, it's no wonder the producers of the romantic comedy elected to film the grand wedding scene at the Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort. The hotel had just completed a $52 million renovation that included the construction of a $12 million water fantasy complex complete with multiple waterfalls, picturesque walkways, and a playfully adventurous water slide.

Located about seven miles north of Miami's renowned art deco district in South Beach, Bal Harbour Village is an exclusive residential community. Bal Harbour Village residents are among the wealthiest families in the United States, so it may be surprising to learn that the chic waterfront neighborhood was once the site of World War II army barracks.

The area's renaissance began in 1965 when real estate developer Stanley Whitman decided, despite naysayer's mumblings, to build a high-end open-air shopping complex. The two-story 30-shop pavilion succeeded beyond Whitman's wildest dreams. Today, it serves as the commercial center for the neighborhood that has grown around it.

That neighborhood includes the picturesque Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort. Located directly across the street from Bal Harbour Shops, the resort offers an international ambiance where guests and staff are likely to speak one or more languages in addition to English.

While the fantasy swimming pool complex is a focal point, the resort is located on a wide expanse of Atlantic Ocean beach. Gourmet dining options include the casual Beach House; poolside Ocean View Bar & Grill; and the more formal open-grille steakhouse Al Carbon. So whatever happened to Ben and Laura's love story? The couple eventually got it together in perfect Hollywood happy-ending style.

For more information:

• call 800/325-3535
• visit http://www.sheraton.com

Copyright Lisa Matte