Travel: The Hotel of South Beach

We found The Hotel of South Beach for our long weekend in Miami and couldn’t have been happier. A boutique, art deco hotel one block off the ocean with a perfect rooftop pool? Perfect.

The rooms aren’t big – boutique art deco means small – but gorgeous, fully adequate and very Miami feeling. The rest of hotel was magical as well. Even more so, the service was mind-blowing. The guys at the desk, the bell hop, the valet, the other guys in the lobby — all went out of their way to take care of us.

Miami isn’t known for its service, but these guys were impeccable. I call them “guys” because they were literally all guys and joked with Leo about having the guts to wear a Cavaliers jersey in Heat-country, made sure I never lifted a bag on my own, held doors and shot the shit with Leo at every chance they had. Loved them.

This kind of service isn’t midwestern hospitality – it didn’t feel coached or like it was expected. It was almost an unspoken bond between Leo and the staff, which I didn’t need to be in on, but they all were. The team at the Hotel of South Beach treated us like royalty and their old friends at the same time. Perfection. The service alone would draw 5 stars from us, but add in the room, bathroom, pool and reserved chairs on the beach? Is more than 5 stars even possible?

Possibly the best part? Roof top pool overlooking the ocean that never had more than five people on the deck, a bar and cabanas for sipping cocktails and towels brought to you as needed. Of course, I forgot to take even mobile pictures of the pool or the hotel. Oh well, you get the gist.

This is living.

Lounging at the pool looking at the ocean. Utter peace with service as needed.
Lounging at the pool looking at the ocean. Utter peace with service as needed.
Apparently you aren't supposed to wear Cavs jerseys in Miami? Didn't slow Leo down.
Apparently you aren’t supposed to wear Cavs jerseys in Miami? Didn’t slow Leo down.
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Travel: Miami on my Mind

We sat along this street and watched people for hours.
We sat along this street and watched people for hours.

Back in May, I had the chance to visit Miami with the love of my life for a luxurious three day weekend. What a treat!

I flew in to Ft. Lauderdale on Thursday night, Leo scooped me up and we stayed downtown (in the Brickell neighborhood).

Friday, I was on my own to explore the downtown area for a few hours, walk around the business district and explore a harbor on Biscayne Bay. I started the morning with my first shellac mani (amazing!) at a little french/spanish salon. Then, it was all wandering, saying hi to the creatures on the fire hydrants and dreaming about living on the ocean.

We spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday on South Beach and it was an absolute dream! A few snapshots below, but highlights included a dinner at Havana 1957 (top ten meal and cocktail memories of my life, more to come on this one), afternoons on South Beach looking at beautiful, exotic people and fashion, and our amazing art deco boutique hotel — the Hotel of South Beach.

More pictures to come this week, but just going through these gives me butterflies. Miami is one of the most incredible places I’ve been, and hearing multiple different languages, trying different ethnic foods and lounging at the pool – doesn’t get much better! Throw in fresh mojitos and I’d call Miami a ten.

Miami Beach Patrol
Miami Beach Patrol
A quick walk along the beach before heading for the airport.
A quick walk along the beach before heading for the airport.

South Beach Walkway

Versace's house on South Beach.
Versace’s house on South Beach.
Walking around the business district (Brickell) admiring palm trees and beautiful people.
Walking around the business district (Brickell) admiring palm trees and beautiful people.
Oh the colors of Art Deco in South Beach!
Oh the colors of Art Deco in South Beach!
Awesome mural on the street. Feels like Miami, right?
Awesome mural on the street. Feels like Miami, right?
Hi little guy! Met along my walk in the neighborhood around Brickell.
Hi little guy! Met along my walk in the neighborhood around Brickell.
A marina in Miami - great for people watching and dreaming about living on the ocean.
A marina in Miami – great for people watching and dreaming about living on the ocean.
If I lived in Miami, this would be my view walking to work. A girl can dream.
If I lived in Miami, this would be my view walking to work. A girl can dream.