A trio of trendy Miami Beach hotels host the art world.
by Fan Zhong
In the skeleton of a 1930s building, the Metropolitan by Como, Miami Beach, has been stylishly redesigned by the decorator Paola Navone, whose eclectic sensibility is tempered by the 74-room hotel's Art Deco past. The menu at the restaurant focuses on local fish, the bar's gin list is one to be reckoned with, and the rooftop spa offers stunning views of the Atlantic. Bonus: If you happen to meet a friendly collector with a large yacht, he can drop you off at the end of the night at the hotel's private dock.
Ian Schrager helped rekindle the South Beach scene with the Delano 17 years ago, and now he is making a grand return with the Miami Beach Edition. The 294-room property—which includes private bungalows—was designed by Yabu Pushelberg, a firm known for creating quiet elegance, and feels like a self-sufficient haven. Jean-Georges Vongerichten serves tapas at the Matador Room, and you can work up an appetite ice skating, hitting the spa, taking in movies at the outdoor theater, or simply sipping aperitifs by the fire pit. There's even a bowling alley, where, during the fair, guests can throw strikes with artist–designed balls. Our pick: the Jules de Balincourt.
The Thompson Miami Beach has opened after a renovation (with interiors by Martin Brudnizki, who is also responsible for the Soho Beach House) that minds the towers' original midcentury architecture, while adding a luxurious spa; tropical garden lounges; and a brasserie, Seagrape, from favorite local celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein. There is even a cocktail bar with a focused menu, set in a 1930s Mediterranean Revival house at the back of the property, where one can partake of classic cocktails and crudo.