Miami Hotels

MBO Miami :: Miami Hotels

et’s face it; this isn’t the only hotel in town. South Beach seems to be comprised first of hotels then the beach. And let’s also face this: most of the hotels are eerily similar. Seriously, I could write a generic blurb and apply it to just about any South Beach hotel. Just for reference, I’ll go ahead and show you what that would look like:

Housed in a brilliantly restored 1930’s Art Deco landmark [blank] hotel adjoins all the most sleek and modern amenities to classical simplicity. [blank] hotel is located right in the heart of South Beach adjacent to a strip of dazzling unspoiled white sand beach. [blank] hotel is also only steps away from all the many great shops and art galleries of the Art Deco district. The package is completed with 2 (or 3) pools with perfect views of the beach, a hip bar, and a fantastic 4-star restaurant.

I really think I missed my calling as a hotel promoter.

Ok, so what about the Setai? Well, it’s located right on the beach (check) in the Art Deco district (check check) with 3 pools (check check check) and includes all the modern amenities like Plasma TV, in-room bathtub spa, cappuccino maker, spa, restaurant, grill, bar, and gym (check check check check, etc).

So how does the Setai differentiate itself? Well, although it’s located in the restored 1930’s famed historic Art Deco Dempsey Vanderbilt Hotel, you won’t find the same Miami Art Deco style that we’ve all come to expect. The difference: the Setai is more Shanghai Art Deco than Miami Art Deco. Something new!

That’s right, the Setai cultivates an Asian flavor (noodles?) to make you forget you’re in hotel central. This style also covers the spa, one of the best in the city, which promotes the ancient Sanskrit belief in a natural elixir for immortality and youth.

Then of course there’s the hotel restaurant, which specializes in sushi in addition to the requisite expensive champagne and caviar. The 75 guestrooms and 50 suites themselves are done up in teak and granite rather than marble and house many Asian artifacts.

Of course, the Setai isn’t entirely unique. Like most other South Beach hotels, it’s far from cheap. That’s part of the appeal for celebrity powerhouses like Oprah Winfrey and Bono. That, and the rooftop recording studio designed by Lenny Kravitz.

But if have enough pocket scratch and you fall in love with the place, it’s adjoined the tallest and most extravagant residential tower on the strip with condos for sale or for rent.
-R.T.