Hotel Review: W South Beach, Miami

 

 

 

W South Beach, a luxe cosmopolitan hotel on South Beach, has just had a 30 million-dollar guest room renovation inspired by Miami Beach’s evolution as the “American Riviera” and I was invited on an inaugural trip to experience the new rooms, stunning hotel grounds as well as the new best in class spa!😍

While staying at the W South Beach each guest is assigned a personal 24/7 concierge, known as a W Insider, upon check-in, and Sole was my insider and what a great asset she was! From organising a kettle in my room to recommending nearby hot spots, she was absolutely amazing.

Book it here: W South Beach

About W South Beach

Located on the famed Collins Avenue, W South Beach has drawn the world’s most sophisticated travellers and has been the social centre of Miami’s major cultural events – including Art Basel, South Beach Wine & Food Festival and Miami Swim Week.  Several celebrity guests such as Justin Bieber, Leonardo DiCaprio, Steven Tyler, Bono, Lizzo, Pharrell, Mark Wahlberg and Tom Cruise have been residents in the past!

The property recently had a $30-million renovation of its 357 guest suites, a new best-in-class spa Away and next-level programming for hotel guests and locals.

The main changes were:

• 357 redesigned guest suites and private triplex bungalows including two new room categories: Spectacular Queen and Fabulous Queen.
• Newly renovated 9,540 square-foot, two-story world-class spa and new spa partner, Away Spa.
• WET Deck, the main pool area was resurfaced and renovated, including its ten oversized cabanas, which are available for rent.

Rooms

Miami Beach-based Urban Robot Associates designed the new rooms as well as the hotel’s new 9,000- square-foot Away Spa.

The reimagined suites were designed as a retreat, enhancing each South Beach moment from sunrise to sundown, all while overlooking the endless Atlantic Ocean views. The design process unpacked the residential dream by marrying beach house-style millwork, natural oaks, airy and plush neutral textures and a beige color palette with accents of soft corals and shaded teals; while the new room flow created an idyllic transitional oasis where guests go from a sleep haven to a contemporary living room set for entertaining.

Room features include circadian lighting with three preset mood modes (Bright/Entertain/Relax), transient 24-hour music playlists, sand gradient blackouts and an under-bed light belt to create a floating effect.

Seaside-inspired art photography adorns the wooden panelled walls by French Photographer Jean-Phillipe Piter and a collection of artists from FarmBoy Fine Arts; while local Miami Artist Juan Manuel Rozas hand painted art on powder room walls.

The suite redesign also includes a new room category: The Queen Studio and Fantastic suites, featuring two oversized plush beds.

I stayed in an Oasis Ocean View Suite which comes with two separate balconies, a media room, living room, dining area, kitchen, spacious bathroom with a toilet, tub and shower as well as a separate bathroom with a toilet.

The bedroom is so spacious with a King sized bed and has floor-to-ceiling windows framing the coastal panoramas. The suite features include circadian lighting, transient 24-hour music playlists, and gradient blackouts curtains. A soft under-bed light belt creates the appearance that the wood bed frames “float” just above the floor.

Each suite is an idyllic retreat of soft tones, clean design, and natural light.

Sleep is such an important aspect of life, especially high quality sleep so I really recommend using a Simba mattress  to get that hotel style, high quality sleep, especially to avoid back pains in future from poor sleep.

Watch my room tour here:

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Dining

W South Beach offers five dining experiences on property as follows.

RWSB (Restaurant W South Beach) is an authentic Italian-American eatery inspired by Tuscan cuisine. Executive Chef Vincenzo Borriello’s menu features an array of comfort classics including fresh fish and shellfish, choice meats, signature pastas, local produce, and more. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, the high-ceilinged, 170-seat indoor-outdoor restaurant is outfitted with light oak floors, white painted brick walls, a zinc-top liquor bar and driftwood beams overhead, creating a light, airy space surrounded by lush vegetation.

Fine Dining Chinese food at MR CHOW is a superb experience. Keeping with the tradition of his other properties in Beverly Hills and New York City, the Michael Chow restaurant is a design masterpiece, featuring signature screens and black lacquer furniture, as well as artwork from his renowned private collection and unique elements, including the 125-foot gold-leaf and Swarovski crystal chandelier designed by Chow himself.

Executive Chef Hou Lam Dicky Fung has led various fine dining establishments across China, which include positions as: Assistant Chef at Ding Tai Fung, the Executive Chef of Ming Ya Fei Restaurant, the Executive Chef of CHINA, Culinary Consultant at Peking Restaurant at Manila, Philippines, and the Executive Chef of Summer Palace Restaurant in Dubai.

In W South Beach’s Living Room Bar, the brand’s modern take on the traditional hotel lobby, guests can lounge, sip and savour its new rotating mixology program of craft cocktails with locally sourced ingredients. Guests are invited to enjoy cocktails inside, or mingle on the terrace, a prime people-watching spot. The Living Room is lined with an extensive, colourful art collection.

We had a fantastic cocktail mixology masterclass with the head bartender, Lucas, which I recommend signing up for!

W South Beach’s whimsical outdoor garden Irma’s, formerly known as the Grove, transformed into an oasis and craft cocktail outpost. During the devastation of Hurricane Irma, the Grove’s iconic oak tree collapsed and destroyed the hidden gem. The Grove was reimagined to introduce Irma’s as the newest bar in Miami’s vibrant metropolis. Blending the notion of sustainability, design and luxury into one space, the alfresco bar incorporates salvaged wood and debris from the namesake storm; a playful testament to the city’s resilience and sense of humor.

WET Bar & Grille, located adjacent to the hotel pool, offers an open-air tropical bar and grille with first class service, featuring refreshing cocktails and American fare with chill beats playing in the background.

Highly recommend the frozen cocktails!

Facilities

Take a break from the sizzling hot South Beach action by the WET® pool and sunbathe on one of the many gorgeous candy pink and white striped sun beds, whilst sipping on drinks and eating nibbles from the WET Bar & Grille.

 

Alternatively,  just steps away from the hotel, SAND offers a full-service beach experience with chairs, daybeds, cabanas as well as full beverage and food service and the cutest hot pink parasols.

AWAY Spa

Away Spa is as a luxurious beach sanctuary dedicated to wellness and detoxifying spa experiences. The ethereal space with blushing natural light is primed with neutral colours, delicate white fabrics, fine brass finishes, and includes seven treatment rooms; a serene couple’s suite; dedicated manicure/pedicure nooks; indulgent spa lounge; lush outdoor basking terrace; and dedicated powder rooms with eucalyptus-infused limestone steam showers and Chanel-inspired vanities.

With all-natural imported materials, including oaks, limestones and live rich greenery throughout, the bespoke spa menu follows suit with organic rituals and detoxifying relaxation massages, body healing, and skincare treatments. Each treatment room is devoted to nourishing the mind and body through its soothing aromas, atmospheric temperature and soft textures. Guests are given the option to curate their sound experience through the addition of an in-room Bluetooth connection, making it possible for them to stream their own playlists.

Outdoors sits a sun-drenched terrace where palm tree shadows provide a reprieve from city life

I had an upper body restorative massage for 60 mins and was in literal heaven during that hour! Definitely recommend carving out some time for ‘me time.’

Meetings and special events

W South Beach’s recently renovated 4,300 square-foot ballroom offers 3D immersive technology allowing the space to transform into any destination around the world.

Activities

Ahana Yoga: Famed Miami studio and W South Beach’s long-term partner Ahana Yoga is leading next-level wellness on property, offering a bespoke program of movement, meditation and a variety of workshops like Chakra Balancing & Activation, Breathwork, Ayurveda, Yin Yoga & Soundbath, and New/Full Moon Ceremonies. Join a transformative pathway to a stronger body and calmer mind with W’s Signature Power and Restore Flow classes, held Thursday through Saturday at 9am on AWAY Spa Terrace. Yoga classes are complimentary to guests with resort fee.

DOGPOUND: Smash your fitness goals and work out with best-in-class trainers from the NY and LA legendary gym DOGPOUND, which made its foray into Miami for the first time with a year-long fitness residency at W South Beach. HIIT Classes are held on AWAY Spa Terrace Monday through Wednesday at 9am, Saturday and Sunday at 10am. Individual and Semi-Private Personal Training is offered daily from 6am-9am and 3pm-6pm. Fitness classes are complimentary to guests with resort fee.

Martone Bike Rentals: Explore South Beach like never before on a Martone bicycle. Guests can check out a complimentary bicycle from the concierge desk.

Rent a Tesla: Discover Miami in a Tesla you can rent by the hour. Book your ride through a QR code in your hotel room and Valet will take care of the rest.

The Bass Museum: Spend the day at Miami Beach’s international contemporary art museum. Simply present your room key at museum’s check-in desk for a complimentary day-pass, 12-5pm Wednesday through Sunday.