Michael W. -- Oyster Reporter
Michael has visited more than 25 countries on four continents, including one formerly totalitarian state (Uganda), one currently totalitarian state (Belarus), and one possibly future totalitarian state (Thailand, where he lived and worked for a year). Over the past five years, Michael has become a ranked chess player, played enough Rock Band to conquer guitar on the expert level, and found a job that puts him on the road half the year. Shockingly, Michael is also still single.
- Hotels Reviewed: 65
- Destination Expert for: New York, Miami
- Hometown: Los Altos, Calif.
- Places Lived: Los Altos, Calif.; Durham, N.C.; Glasgow, Scotland; Los Angeles; Washington; Oxnard, Calif.; Burlingame, Calif.; Bangkok, Thailand; Mount Vernon, N.Y.
- Education: B.A. in public policy, Duke University; M.F.A. in creative writing, Sarah Lawrence College
- Prior Experience: American Institutes for Research; the Princeton Review; Lumina literary journal. Contributed to: SN Review and Defenestration.
- My Favorite Hotel: The Regent Bal Harbour, outside Miami. Because the bathroom has not one, not two, but three completely gratuitous amenities: mechanical blinds, a bidet, and a flat-screen TV embedded in the mirror. (My apartment only has a bidet and a TV in the mirror.)
My Favorite Hotels
1
New York Helmsley
- Pearls: Rating: 3.5 Pearls
- Location: Midtown East, Manhattan
- Price: $220/night
With an imposing marble lobby, classically attired bellmen, an international clientele, and an (in)famous namesake, the Helmsley looks like it should cost more than it does. You get a lot for your money: a central location, attentive service, an excellent gym, and spacious rooms, complete with flat-screen TVs and bathrobes. The Helmsley was recently bought by Host Hotels & Resort and will receive a full scale renovation in rebranding to be completed in mid-2012.
2
The Ritz-Carlton New York Battery Park
- Pearls: Rating: 4.5 Pearls
- Location: Lower Manhattan, Manhattan
- Price: $330/night
The name says it all. "Ritz" tells you that the hotel -- like its siblings -- features gorgeous rooms, top-notch service, and a premier gym and spa. "Battery Park" tells you you're in for a lower-key New York experience, with Lower Manhattan's quiet nights, cobblestone streets, and -- best of all -- rates often lower than those of other 5-star hotels.
3
ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa
- Pearls: Rating: 4.5 Pearls
- Location: Bal Harbour, Miami
- Price: $530/night
Sure, it boasts a 10,000-square-foot spa, $4 million worth of modern art, and some of Miami's grandest rooms. But the 124-room ONE Bal Harbour, which opened in 2008 as the Regent Bal Harbour, brings a low-key, Four Seasons-type luxury. It's more romantic and understated than the nearby Acqualina, but its beach is far worse. Trade-offs, trade-offs.
4
Betsy Hotel
- Pearls: Rating: 4.0 Pearls
- Location: South Beach, Miami
- Price: $520/night
After a $40 million overhaul, the Betsy reopened in 2009 with a beautiful rooftop spa and solarium, a renowned restaurant (BLT steak), and bright, charming rooms. The pool's a bit disappointing, and the rooms aren't as large as the Mondrian's, but for tasteful luxury and a rare dose of tranquility on Ocean Drive, this is where it's at.
5
Cadet Hotel
- Pearls: Rating: 3.0 Pearls
- Location: South Beach, Miami
- Price: $150/night
The Cadet is a different type of South Beach experience. There's no pool, gym, spa, or views of the beach, and the vibe is more B&B than SoBe Cool. But a number of charming little touches -- welcome strawberries, personalized notes, nighttime chocolates, garden breakfasts -- compensate for the drawbacks.
