The new W Hotel South Beach, beautifully designed by architect Costas Kondylis, has finally arrived to take its rightful place among the top designer hotels in Miami: the Mondrian, the Tides, the Setai , the Delano and the Fontainebleau.
The large, scenic pool (WET) offers an almost unparalleled experience of comfort and ambience. Surrounded by dense palms, colorful squishy-looking ‘beds’ and wood-lattice cabanas (which cost extra), pool guests are waited on by attentive staff who are quick to bring you a cocktail or tuna tartar should you so desire.
Though there’s been a lot hype over the hotel’s newly opened Entourage Bungalow, in which guests are offered a sampling of the Vincent Chase lifestyle, the hotel’s standard rooms are far from glamourless.
When we visited the W SoBe undercover last week we were expecting a lot- and were not disappointed. We tested the pillow-topped bed with 310-count Egyptian cotton linens and comfy down blankets. We found two giant 37-inch plasma flat-screen TV’s (one in the “living area”, one in the “sleeping area”), an in-room kitchenette, Bliss Spa toiletries, white ceramic floors with wood-grain finish and rock-n-roll photography by Danny Clinch.
Its unique design orients rooms at a 25-degree angle, affording every room with an ocean view complete with soft pillowed recliners on the balcony.
Architectural accomplishment and chic design be damned, however, this hotel’s TRUE genius lies in…the minibar.
Yes, you can laugh, but the accouterments supplied here are no joke. Your Sub-Zero fridge comes stocked with soda, beer and vitamin-water, while leaving plenty space for your own additions as well. If you’re expecting company, top-shelf liquor is waiting for you in large bottles in the living area. Who needs bottle service anyway?
Munchies include gourmet nuts, seasoned pretzels, gummy candy and of course Dylan’s signature candies (made by Dylan Lauren, daughter of Ralph Lauren). Also included: a canister of O+Stick portable enriched oxygen, EBoost effervescent energy tablets, an instant XXL t-shirt (just add water!), and last but not least, a compact “pleasure set” for when you get lucky.
Like we said…genius.
View from the Spectacular Studio Room, W South Beach
Wall photography by Danny Clinch
Microwave in the Spectacular Studio Room at the W South Beach
Bliss Spa products in the Spectacular Studio Room at the W South Beach
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