Hotel Review: The SLS South Beach Miami
Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the most South Beach of them all? The SLS is a strong contender, with its Art Deco roots, multifaceted pools, and location right in the heart of Collins.
Its entrance evokes theatrics from the start. A giant SLS sign and bright red carpet leads guests up to the lobby, with an Instagrammable pink butterfly-painted jeep parked aside the steps for patrons to pose in. Small pieces of debris on the steps took away from the swanky aesthetic, but you can still imagine yourself being part of a movie premiere as you walk in. The interior is equally vibrant, with quote-adorned pillars, red and black carpet, high ceilings, and a swan mural above the bar. Walking through to the back area, which morphs into a restaurant at night, the decor changes from deep red to lighter green undertones, drawing you out to nature.
The SLS’ pool is striking for its simplicity, in contrast to the extravagance welcoming you to the hotel. However, the decorated duck and throne that sits in the shaded portion of the pool remind you where you are. And if you walk behind the trees and painted duck, there is another, very different, type of pool waiting for you. Hyde Beach is the SLS’ daytime beach club, where you get the classic Miami experience that leads many to book the trip in the first place. I saw bachelor and bachelorette parties interspersed between friend groups, and even a few folks who came solo just to vibe. The DJ was great, and it is definitely a place you could spend the day.
The South Beach SLS is inseparable from José Andrés’ restaurant, The Bazaar. The whimsical food mirrors its settings — my favorite was the coconut risotto served in an actual coconut. Scraping the coconut meat from the dish added a fun layer to the dining experience.
Then the mirrors. The SLS South Beach is defined by its mirrors that, coupled with the theatrics of its design, create an Alice in Wonderland meets Underworld ambiance. There are mirrors in the hallway, mirrors on the elevator, and mirrors above the ceiling in your room. The baroque wallpaper hanging loosely on the wall like a tapestry creates an atmosphere of whimsy, and the SLS goes further to encourage your romantic dalliance by leaving a “Naughty Lovers” box in their “Sinner” drawer (with small bottles of Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Jameson, and Bacardi lined up in front). If you’re looking for an environment that triggers the senses, this is it. The SLS South Beach is a great hotel for couples. It was wasted on me as a single person.
The hotel is busy but not crowded, and if you have to take meetings, they have a quiet room on the second floor. This came in handy for a couple Zoom calls. Overall, the SLS South Beach provides a swanky, whimsical ambiance for your Miami vacation. If you’re looking for a trendy, fun hotel that still offers some respite from the craziness of South Beach, this could be just the place for you. Make sure to take a picture in the pink jeep on your way out.
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Hannah
Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the most South Beach of them all? The SLS is a strong contender, with its Art Deco roots, multifaceted pools, and location right in the heart of Collins.
Its entrance evokes theatrics from the start. A giant SLS sign and bright red carpet leads guests up to the lobby, with an Instagrammable pink butterfly-painted jeep parked aside the steps for patrons to pose in. Small pieces of debris on the steps took away from the swanky aesthetic, but you can still imagine yourself being part of a movie premiere as you walk in. The interior is equally vibrant, with quote-adorned pillars, red and black carpet, high ceilings, and a swan mural above the bar. Walking through to the back area, which morphs into a restaurant at night, the decor changes from deep red to lighter green undertones, drawing you out to nature.
The SLS’ pool is striking for its simplicity, in contrast to the extravagance welcoming you to the hotel. However, the decorated duck and throne that sits in the shaded portion of the pool remind you where you are. And if you walk behind the trees and painted duck, there is another, very different, type of pool waiting for you. Hyde Beach is the SLS’ daytime beach club, where you get the classic Miami experience that leads many to book the trip in the first place. I saw bachelor and bachelorette parties interspersed between friend groups, and even a few folks who came solo just to vibe. The DJ was great, and it is definitely a place you could spend the day.
The South Beach SLS is inseparable from José Andrés’ restaurant, The Bazaar. The whimsical food mirrors its settings — my favorite was the coconut risotto served in an actual coconut. Scraping the coconut meat from the dish added a fun layer to the dining experience.
Then the mirrors. The SLS South Beach is defined by its mirrors that, coupled with the theatrics of its design, create an Alice in Wonderland meets Underworld ambiance. There are mirrors in the hallway, mirrors on the elevator, and mirrors above the ceiling in your room. The baroque wallpaper hanging loosely on the wall like a tapestry creates an atmosphere of whimsy, and the SLS goes further to encourage your romantic dalliance by leaving a “Naughty Lovers” box in their “Sinner” drawer (with small bottles of Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Jameson, and Bacardi lined up in front). If you’re looking for an environment that triggers the senses, this is it. The SLS South Beach is a great hotel for couples. It was wasted on me as a single person.
The hotel is busy but not crowded, and if you have to take meetings, they have a quiet room on the second floor. This came in handy for a couple Zoom calls. Overall, the SLS South Beach provides a swanky, whimsical ambiance for your Miami vacation. If you’re looking for a trendy, fun hotel that still offers some respite from the craziness of South Beach, this could be just the place for you. Make sure to take a picture in the pink jeep on your way out.
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Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the most South Beach of them all? The SLS is a strong contender, with its Art Deco roots, multifaceted pools, and location right in the heart of Collins.
Its entrance evokes theatrics from the start. A giant SLS sign and bright red carpet leads guests up to the lobby, with an Instagrammable pink butterfly-painted jeep parked aside the steps for patrons to pose in. Small pieces of debris on the steps took away from the swanky aesthetic, but you can still imagine yourself being part of a movie premiere as you walk in. The interior is equally vibrant, with quote-adorned pillars, red and black carpet, high ceilings, and a swan mural above the bar. Walking through to the back area, which morphs into a restaurant at night, the decor changes from deep red to lighter green undertones, drawing you out to nature.
The SLS’ pool is striking for its simplicity, in contrast to the extravagance welcoming you to the hotel. However, the decorated duck and throne that sits in the shaded portion of the pool remind you where you are. And if you walk behind the trees and painted duck, there is another, very different, type of pool waiting for you. Hyde Beach is the SLS’ daytime beach club, where you get the classic Miami experience that leads many to book the trip in the first place. I saw bachelor and bachelorette parties interspersed between friend groups, and even a few folks who came solo just to vibe. The DJ was great, and it is definitely a place you could spend the day.
The South Beach SLS is inseparable from José Andrés’ restaurant, The Bazaar. The whimsical food mirrors its settings — my favorite was the coconut risotto served in an actual coconut. Scraping the coconut meat from the dish added a fun layer to the dining experience.
Then the mirrors. The SLS South Beach is defined by its mirrors that, coupled with the theatrics of its design, create an Alice in Wonderland meets Underworld ambiance. There are mirrors in the hallway, mirrors on the elevator, and mirrors above the ceiling in your room. The baroque wallpaper hanging loosely on the wall like a tapestry creates an atmosphere of whimsy, and the SLS goes further to encourage your romantic dalliance by leaving a “Naughty Lovers” box in their “Sinner” drawer (with small bottles of Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Jameson, and Bacardi lined up in front). If you’re looking for an environment that triggers the senses, this is it. The SLS South Beach is a great hotel for couples. It was wasted on me as a single person.
The hotel is busy but not crowded, and if you have to take meetings, they have a quiet room on the second floor. This came in handy for a couple Zoom calls. Overall, the SLS South Beach provides a swanky, whimsical ambiance for your Miami vacation. If you’re looking for a trendy, fun hotel that still offers some respite from the craziness of South Beach, this could be just the place for you. Make sure to take a picture in the pink jeep on your way out.
Hotel Review: The Setai Miami Beach
Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the most South Beach of them all? The SLS is a strong contender, with its Art Deco roots, multifaceted pools, and location right in the heart of Collins.
Its entrance evokes theatrics from the start. A giant SLS sign and bright red carpet leads guests up to the lobby, with an Instagrammable pink butterfly-painted jeep parked aside the steps for patrons to pose in. Small pieces of debris on the steps took away from the swanky aesthetic, but you can still imagine yourself being part of a movie premiere as you walk in. The interior is equally vibrant, with quote-adorned pillars, red and black carpet, high ceilings, and a swan mural above the bar. Walking through to the back area, which morphs into a restaurant at night, the decor changes from deep red to lighter green undertones, drawing you out to nature.
The SLS’ pool is striking for its simplicity, in contrast to the extravagance welcoming you to the hotel. However, the decorated duck and throne that sits in the shaded portion of the pool remind you where you are. And if you walk behind the trees and painted duck, there is another, very different, type of pool waiting for you. Hyde Beach is the SLS’ daytime beach club, where you get the classic Miami experience that leads many to book the trip in the first place. I saw bachelor and bachelorette parties interspersed between friend groups, and even a few folks who came solo just to vibe. The DJ was great, and it is definitely a place you could spend the day.
The South Beach SLS is inseparable from José Andrés’ restaurant, The Bazaar. The whimsical food mirrors its settings — my favorite was the coconut risotto served in an actual coconut. Scraping the coconut meat from the dish added a fun layer to the dining experience.
Then the mirrors. The SLS South Beach is defined by its mirrors that, coupled with the theatrics of its design, create an Alice in Wonderland meets Underworld ambiance. There are mirrors in the hallway, mirrors on the elevator, and mirrors above the ceiling in your room. The baroque wallpaper hanging loosely on the wall like a tapestry creates an atmosphere of whimsy, and the SLS goes further to encourage your romantic dalliance by leaving a “Naughty Lovers” box in their “Sinner” drawer (with small bottles of Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Jameson, and Bacardi lined up in front). If you’re looking for an environment that triggers the senses, this is it. The SLS South Beach is a great hotel for couples. It was wasted on me as a single person.
The hotel is busy but not crowded, and if you have to take meetings, they have a quiet room on the second floor. This came in handy for a couple Zoom calls. Overall, the SLS South Beach provides a swanky, whimsical ambiance for your Miami vacation. If you’re looking for a trendy, fun hotel that still offers some respite from the craziness of South Beach, this could be just the place for you. Make sure to take a picture in the pink jeep on your way out.