It may take some time for the world to forget about the banana debacle at the famed Art Basil show in Miami, but that may be the very reason we have these extravagant luxury resorts in Miami Beach – to drift away and forget about the crazy things that happen in this world.
If you haven’t read or heard that story yet, let me ruin the ending for you. That US$120,000 banana art piece was delicious, claims the eater (aka, performance artist). Now let’s see if we can forget that ever happened…
Setai Hotel
2001 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
If you’re thinking about moving to Miami, you might want to stay at the Setai Hotel while exploring the town. This luxury resort hotel is located in the prestigious South Beach where you’ll find yourself just steps from the white sands and the turquoise sea.
The Setai Hotel, Miami Beach is an award-winning, international leader in hospitality and the hotel of choice for the sophisticated international traveler. This luxury hotel masterfully combines the warmth of Asian hospitality with the best in personalized service.
Housed in a restored 1936 landmark building within the historic Art Deco District, The Setai has been artfully designed, with 87 Art Deco rooms, 50 Ocean Suites, and a penthouse suite.
Bragging rights include being consecutively awarded the coveted Forbes Travel Guide Five Star since 2015, as well as voted Travel +Leisure’s World’s Best #1 Hotel Resort in Greater Miami Beach in 2018 and 2019.
As far as location goes, this part of South Beach gets lit with nightlife and a cool vibe. Imagine being just a few blocks from world-class symphonies at the New World Center, which happens to be a Frank Gehry design! As you might know, we’re big on symphonies and orchestras.
As for the hotel amenities, you get 3 temperature-controlled infinity pools where the water’s just right. After enjoying your swim, hit JAYA restaurant for some Asian-inspired cuisine.
Jaya features regional specialties from Southeast and Northern Asian cultures with Executive Chef Vijayudu Veena at the helm.
Best of all, there’s the Valmont Spa. Here you get specially formulated treatments and products set within a sanctuary of serenity.
Here you can get the MAJESTIC FACIAL featuring L’Elixir des Glaciers’ cutting-edge formulas wielding their full effectiveness to nourish, sculpt and remodel the contours of the face.
You probably feel 10 years younger just reading about this spa! But you don’t have to wait to book a facial to use these same beauty products.
Faena Hotel
3201 Collins Avenue, Faena District
Miami Beach FL, 33140
The Faena Hotel is another one of those luxury hotels in Miami Beach that has a beautiful Art Deco building. This is the vision of Alan Faena, the Argentine developer behind Buenos Aires’s acclaimed Faena District.
To say this new 5-star luxury resort carries a spark of art deco “flamboyancy” would be an understatement. They go all out making each room a wonderland of dramatic fun.
On the third floor, you’ll find Tierra Santa Healing House. This is a massive 22,000-square-foot sanctuary that features one of the largest hammams around (otherwise known as a Turkish bath). Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to explore any of these on our trip to Turkey.
Here you’ll relax with unique healing arts body rituals that immerse in shaman-inspired therapies, Pranic Healing, and massage arts.
Alan Faena describes this as “a new paradigm of the Miami lifestyle, one where design, refined hospitality, and culture converge.”
Hungry for traditional rustic Argentina dishes?
You’re already in the right place. Los Fuegos restaurant lets you discover the art of open-fire cooking by grillmaster Francis Mallmann.
He creates a contemporary Asado experience with an open-fire kitchen, local ingredients, and a gaucho’s touch.
W South Beach
2201 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
W is a brand we love and the W South Beach laces spontaneity with the structure of this luxurious beachfront hotel.
Here you’ll find 20 floors of oceanfront lodging, boldly designed by the acclaimed Costas Knodylis, with interiors by Anna Busta with dreamy landscapes by visual artist Paula Hayes. Miami Beach is a mecca for cool architecture and this hotel is no exception.
W South Beach also loves your pet as much as you do. They call it PAW – Pets Are Welcome. Hey, the Jetsetty life is for everybody!
Like other high-end luxury hotels including the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York, they take pride in their art collection. Featuring breathtaking works by famous artists like George Condo, Mike Kelley, Basquiat, and Andy Warhol.
Not to be outdone by the others in the pampering arena, the W has Oren Salon guided by famed stylist, Oren Lankri. Being a hair specialist at L’Oreal Professional in Israel and Toni and Guy in Paris, Oren eventually set his sights on the US.
He brings a European perspective that represents the connection between fashion and hairstyle trends. His techniques include Balayage and Ombre, staying cutting edge in the industry while being true to the concept of “natural” beauty.
So what do you do now that you have that great new look you’ve been longing for? head over to Mr CHOW and be seen by the who’s who of Miami Beach of course!
The iconic restaurant MR CHOW is synonymous with theatrical dining as it is with fine art and design.
Celebrities and South Beach locals alike flock here to enjoy elegant Beijing cuisine. This complements a series of shows ranging from the Champagne Trolley to the Noodle Show and Duck Carving.
1 Hotel South Beach
2341 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Our last luxury hotel along the beautiful shores of Miami Beach is the 1 Hotel South Beach retreat. This hotel is inspired by 600 feet of beach along the Atlantic Ocean and designed for comfort using reclaimed one-of-a-kind materials. This includes reclaimed wood, custom organic cotton mattresses, and 100% organic cotton sheets.
Much more toned down than the vibrant Faena Hotel, 1 Hotel uses earthy colors to promote beach life with a luxury hotel. We were hot at the 1 Hotel in Central Park as well.
Currently, the hotel is amping up for the big Super Bowl game in Miami with packages that include tickets. I think we can count that as a good score since tickets will be hard to come by.
These packages start at US$200,000. and go up to $US1,500,000. for tickets, food, and lodging for 20 of your closest friends.
Naturally, it includes much more to make this an experience of a lifetime but if you’re buying one of these packages, you’ll probably forego the round-trip airfare and book a private plane.
1 Hotel has several places to eat and if you’re into healthy cuisine, then head over to Plnthouse. They have smoothies, plant-based cuisine, and other locally sourced organic fare. The atrium-like terrace offers a serene space that gives you that perfect South Beach escape.
Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club
9011 COLLINS AVENUE SURFSIDE, FL 33154
From the moment it first opened its doors on New Year’s Eve 1930, The Surf Club has hosted history. The Surf Club is an oceanfront destination bringing a new era of glamour elevated with chic Italian dining and a world-class spa.
The cabana studios are stunning. With terrazzo flooring and ocean views, this exemplifies classic Miami. Simplicity with style and grace.
Upgrading to private retreats, you get the essence of indoor-outdoor living.
With unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay through floor-to-ceiling windows, your luxury residential suite boasts exclusive access to the legendary Surf Club and its private stretch of pristine Atlantic beachfront.
Naturally, we’d expect an upscale dining experience inside this resort and Le Sirenuse Miami doesn’t disappoint. The restaurant brings to Surfside all the Mediterranean magic, and genuine southern Italian cuisine guests have learned to associate with the celebrated Italian hospitality.
As an option for some R & R, The spa and wellness services offer solitude and relaxation with the grounding properties of Himalayan salt stones.
This just might improve your sleep and balance your central nervous system. This healing stone massage targets tension while easing stress, supporting your state of mind. Just remember, at the end of the day, it’s still about the bed.
