When a person thinks of Miami, they probably conjure images of wild parties, music, and libations that flow from day to night. A hotel can either cater to the carousing crowd or provide a respite from the revelry. Somehow, the Setai manages both without compromise.
During the day, the Setai provides a calm, tranquil oasis. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, who also created the aesthetic for Aman’s Amanwana resort in Indonesia, the Chedi Muscat in Oman, One & Only Reethi Rah villas, and more, the hotel blends Miami’s famous Art Deco with Eastern influence. The tall, open ceilings of the lobby create a sense of grandeur, which are tempered by dark mahogany panels that entrance guests with their warmth.
The Pool is central to most Miami vacations, and the Setai excels. Before stepping foot into one of their three pools of varying temperatures (75, 85, and 90 degrees), you stroll through a lush, tree-lined walkway, with water-filled enclaves jetting off behind stone walls, perfect for meditation or sending a quick work email en route to the sun. You won’t choose the Setai for loud music or day parties — it attracts a more relaxed crowd that wants to lounge by the water surrounded by palm trees, privacy, and great service.
At night, however, the main restaurant morphs from an airy and mist-filled open space to a sexy, swanky, red-lit venue to see and be seen, with only a handful of tables surrounding the prominent water display in the center of the room. Its two bars – one in the lobby and one in the back of the dining space – become a nucleus for high end Miami nightlife, spilling out into the sea of restaurant goers. Their other “Ocean Grill” restaurant is the liaison between Setai’s private pool and beach offers more of a Palm Beach ambiance, with white table cloths and a calmer, breezy atmosphere.
The room itself is spacious, complete with a foyer, desk area, closet, bathtub, and large couch. All incorporate the same Eastern aesthetic that transmutes the Miami experience from rowdy to relaxing, providing a grounding touchpoint for the trip. Oranges are displayed under glass throughout the property like the enchanted rose from Beauty and the Beast, a seemingly mystic nod to Florida’s unique offerings. Even the experience in the elevator is entrancing, with intricately designed metal coating the interior.
As a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, repeat Forbes Travel Guide Five Star award winner, and “#1 Hotel Resort in Greater Miami Beach” according to Travel + Leisure in 2018 and 2019, the Setai is well-regarded for the caliber of its ambiance, which contrasts dramatically from the typical Miami party hotel. If you are looking for quality, relaxation, and aesthetic, don’t hesitate to choose the Setai. A tropical oasis awaits. If you are looking for a rager, choose elsewhere.
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.
