Mandarin Oriental, Miami Rating: 4.5 Pearls

Downtown, Miami, Florida

The desk staff

A boisterous bevy of bellboys helped me out of my cab and chatted with me about the weather back in New York.

Everyone I encountered throughout my stay was polite and helpful. Though, in an incredibly rare Oyster gesture, I will make a special shout-out to the waiters at Azul who carefully steered me through the complicated menu and shared their recommendations without a hint of attitude.

View from The Deluxe Skyline View Room

My Deluxe Skyline Room was large and luxurious. Since my stay, rooms have been updated with a more Asian theme and new furniture.

All rooms include:

• Flat screen TV
• IPod dock
• Local and international newspaper options
• Wireless internet ($15 per day, $35 for three days, or $75 for one week)
• Minibar
• Sitting area
• Balcony
• Marble bathroom with robes, hairdryer, and separate tub and shower

Rooms:

• Superior island view; 377 square feet; king bed; view of Brickell Key
• Deluxe; 445 square feet; king or two double beds; view of Miami skyline or bay
• Mandarin executive; 514 square feet; king bed; view of Miami skyline or bay

Suites:

• Dynasty Suite; 628 square feet; king bed; view of Miami skyline or bay
• Brickell Suite; 885 square feet; king or two double beds; double doors; view of Miami skyline or bay
• Biscayne Suite; 1,060 square feet; king bed; king bed; view of Miami skyline or bay
• Mandarin; 2,000 square feet; king bed; kitchen and dining room; large plasma TV; spa room; view of Miami skyline or bay
• Oriental; 2,365 square feet; king bed; living room, dining room, and a media room with theater-style seating; on top floor of hotel; piano and fireplace; view of Miami skyline or bay

Family suites:

• Dynasty; two or three bedroom options; 1,073 square feet and 1,450 square feet; king and two double beds; living roomview of Miami skyline or bay
• Biscayne; two bedrooms; 1,505 square feet; king or two double beds; seating area; view of Miami skyline or bay

The pool

The Mandarin has a beautiful spa on the second floor near the pool. Besides offering a full range of services, the sitting room has fruit, tea, water and nuts in abundance. As swank as the existing spa was, The Mandarin recently completed some minor revamps to make the space even better. This including the introduction of the spa boutique, a shop where guests can buy the luxurious products used by the expert massage therapists at Mandarin.

The spa looks out over the Mandarin's tiny pool. The pool is good for a dip, but that's it. There's a sushi bar at the poolside café, but I'd recommend against it -- overpriced and not that great.

The gym is above the spa. It's packed with mint-condition weight-training and cardio machines overlooking the water. Yoga classes are available in the morning, but the Mandarin also has a team of personal trainers to help with any other workout.

View on a Larger Map

The Mandarin is on Brickell Key, a tiny island separated from downtown Miami by a short bridge. It is home to Miami's richest of the rich, most likely because the island is flat-out gorgeous.

With 360-degree views of downtown, South Beach and the Atlantic Ocean, it felt like the whole island was a resort. The soaring modern towers are separated by simple green lawns littered with beatific children and their elegant parents. It was like something from an idyllic sci-fi movie.

There's also a jogging path that wraps all around Brickell Key and goes over the bridge on a loop through downtown. With several alternative paths posted along the route, it was an easy way to get some exercise and check out the view.

But there's no beach nearby.

Azul restaurant

Cafe Sambal on the ground floor didn't do much beyond denting my wallet.

But Azul ... oh, Azul. Yes, it's expensive, but the decor is modern and classy and the food was simply amazing. Mint-yogurt marinated swordfish? Delicious!