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Mesmerizing MiamiWhere Romantics and Energetics Have Replaced The GeriatricsBy Jane CassieAlthough once known as ‘God’s waiting room,’ we find out during this recent visit to Miami that ongoing face lifts and reconstructive surgeries over the past decade have successfully transformed this ‘geriatric ward’ into an energetic playground. Worn out hips have been taken over by the ultra hip. Baby boomers have replaced retirees, and this sub-tropical paradise, now coined The American Riviera, has become one of the world’s most happening places to be. As well as boasting a sense of ‘urban chic’ with a never-ending nightlife, this seaside oasis entices couples with enough balmy romance to satisfy the Adam and Eve in the best of us. Yearning to experience a bit of both, we divide our stay between two very different properties that offer a little of each. Here’s a taste of what we experience.
While providing the same visual overload, Beach House Bal Harbour is infused with lots of romantic overtones as well. And with amoré taking first priority, we look forward to a number of handholding opportunities over the next few days.
“The property has been designed with a low key kind of luxury,” Karen Maerovitz, Marketing coordinator prides. We want our guests to feel totally comfortable from the moment they walk through the door.” Although boasting one hundred and sixty-five rooms, the Rubell family had the vision of creating an intimate property, reminiscent of a turn of the century beach house estate on Long Island or Nantucket. By uniting with the exquisite Ralph Lauren Polo Residential Design Team we can see that they have successfully conquered their quest. The quaint Screened-In-Porch, mirroring the cottage feel of yesteryear, and adjacent Bamboo Room, swathed in billowy bamboo, are heavenly haunts where we dwindle away hours over games of scrabble and parcheesi. And while ceiling fans rotate in time to the golden oldies from the Glenn Miller era, it feels as if we have stepped into a classic scene from a Bogie and Bacall flick and back to a bygone era of old world charm. The ground floor also shares space with a number of other treasures including The Pantry, an authentic replication of a general store, the Seahorse Lounge, walled by a spectrum of tropical fish, a state of the art fitness centre and the casually elegant Atlantic Restaurant. The fare is considered New American, and savoury options such as succulent salmon cakes, fresh catch tuna, pleasing pastas and humungous hamburgers deliciously cater to our warm weather appetites. Buffet style breakfasts and bountiful Sunday brunches are also served from its open country-style kitchen where the chef creatively whips up overflowing omelettes and incredible crepes right before our eyes.
Although it’s hard to tear ourselves away from the romantic enticements, the internationally acclaimed Bal Harbour shops and Rubells well-known exhibit of contemporary art pieces are just a short walk away.
Our spacious suite, dressed in French yellow walls, textured fabrics, and streamlined maple furnishings, also hosts a fully equipped kitchenette that deals with our between meal hunger pangs. And although faithful in deco detail, modern amenities like whirlpool tubs, jetted showers, and high-tech electronics delightfully marry the past with the present. Her sister property, The Crest Hotel, resides just three blocks away, and showcases the same internal treasures. She also extends an invitation for South Beach guests to enjoy a tropical splash in her shimmering pool, admire the city skyline from her rooftop solarium, and to dine ‘Al Fresco’ in the casual ambience of her Café de Crest. While both express intimacy and romantic overtones, the lure of these properties, for us, is their close proximity to the hip and happening places to be.
Miami’s Convention Centre, the Jackie Gleason Theatre and the New World Symphony are also within walking range. And when we feel the urge to go bikini and barefoot, the azure Atlantic, hugged by the world famous silky strand of shoreline conveniently waits just footsteps away. Where To Stay:Beach House Bal Harbour South Beach Hotel Crest Hotel IMAGES BY BRENT CASSIE AND COMPLIMENTS OF PROPERTIES |
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Our
drive along Collins Avenue heading to the upscale and sophisticated district
of Bal Harbour parallels the strand of golden sand that fringes miles of the
azure Atlantic coastline. Hugging up to one another along this sensational
strip, are high-rise hotels, with back yards that host scantily clad
sun-worshippers and offer views that stretch to the horizon. 
Once beyond its
unassuming French doors, we are greeted with internal pleasures and homey
touches, such as overflowing vases of fresh cut daisies and cookie jars
filled with chocolate chip temptations. Blue stone tiles usher the way to
light-drenched sitting areas that boast an insouciant blend of rattan and
wicker, overstuffed with Ralph Lauren stripes and plaids. Trowelled
periwinkle walls, wainscoted with white country-style board and batten are
decked out with whimsical art subjects and seaside photographs. Conch
shells, starfish and other treasures from the deep also imbibe the nautical
theme throughout. And the same comfort and attention to detail flows to our
spacious suite, which we looked forward to during our stay. 
While dining on
delectables, we are also treated to sensational sights that flow in through
the restaurant’s floor to ceiling windows. Towering palms throw shade over
the adjacent shimmering pool where various striped cabanas hug up to year
round blooms. Although fashioned after the beach huts of yesteryear, the
current purpose of these heavenly havens is to pamper with modern
pleasantries. Each one hosts a signature name that symbolizes their internal
gifts. ‘Jackie’ pays homage to Jackie Onassis and her passion for facials.
‘Pablo,’ after Pablo Piccasso, entices with the enjoyment of massage. And
Cocco Channel spoils with body scrubs and the over-all skin care treatment.
Beyond the poolside
there are hammocks strung up between feathery palms, and lazing lounges,
where we take time to bask and relax. A greenbelt strip of land, sandwiched
between the property and the deep blue sea, acts as a buffer to winds that
blow in from open waters and creates the feel of being in our own private
back yard. 
The
crowd of trendy South Beach continuously percolates just twenty-minutes down
the road, and for the second half of our trip we are treated to an energized
taste that flavours this sizzling district. 
Neon torch lamps
flank the entranceway
Homage to the era also
flows to the contemporary sleek interiors where original terrazzo floors
gleam beneath custom created furnishings, funky aluminium fixtures and a
glassed in wall of aquarium. In commemoration of Miami’s influential Cuban
culture, the surroundings are also infused with relaxing Latin vibes.
Directly across the
street from South Beach Hotel we discover the Collins Park Cultural Centre
where the Bass Museum, Public Library and Miami City Ballet join the line-up
with other top-notch performing artists. Nearby, Lincoln Road Pedestrian
Promenade is also a favourite haunt that we saunter to during our stay.
Here, art galleries, boutiques, and gourmet restaurants spill onto the
sidewalks where aquatic fountains and palm trees join flowering hibiscus and
bougainvillaea. And although just a short jaunt to the bustling vortex of
South Beach, where dusk melds with dawn, we are conveniently distanced so
that when we have experienced it all, we can easily escape the tireless
throngs.