Artfully crafted, beautifully designed, extraordinary views and lavish amenities define The Betsy Hotel in South Beach Miami, Florida. This hotel is a destination spot for any art lover as well as a great place to stay to hit the beach before you board your cruise.
Located on Ocean Drive in South Beach Miami, one might think they would be entering into a loud and obnoxious lobby filled with partiers and bachelorette crews. But this was not the case at all. Instead, I was warmly greeted by colonialist architecture, art and delicious smells from the hotel restaurant-LT Steak & Seafood.
The staff were very friendly, quick with recommendations and wanted to do everything they could to make a guest's stay more enjoyable.
The most notable detail of The Betsy Hotel is the art. Currently, there are eight different exhibits throughout the property-one of them being LOST: The Bob Bonis Archives which feature photos of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. These stunning photos give a glimpse into the everyday lives of such iconic musicians. You'll want to walk around the entire hotel to see performance images as well as behind the scene shots of Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Mick Jagger.
The exhibits rotate on an annual basis and guests are welcome to purchase the artwork. Locals even like to stay abreast of the events happening at the hotel and a monthly newspaper is printed to help navigate all of the upcoming excitement.
Venturing around the property you begin to realize how much larger the space is than its front façade. The hotel actually outgrew itself and management was able to purchase the building directly behind, strip it down to its bones, and bring back its original grandeur in an art deco style.
Connecting the two building is The Orb-seen from the outside as a white oval suspended three floors up. The hotel chose the white finish so they could have playful light shows on the exterior. Again, it all comes back to the art at The Betsy Hotel.
On the ground floor, there is an outdoor atrium that gives off a European café flair, and rooms facing this area have balconies overlooking the courtyard.
There are also multiple meeting spaces including the renowned B Bar that is artwork in and of itself with its stretch vinyl ceiling. The meeting spaces are perfect for company meetings, weddings, book clubs and there have even been some press conferences hosted here from local politicians and sports figures.
The hotel has two pools, one on the rooftop and another in a secluded courtyard. Also on the rooftop is Miami's only outdoor spa, a lounge deck perfect for cuddling up to enjoy the unobstructed ocean views and a bar area. Across the street from The Betsy Hotel is a public park that leads to the ocean. This means that the hotel will never have a high-rise impeding its rooftop ocean views.
There is also a Writer's Room, library and coffee shop. As I said, this property is much larger than its first impression-without ever giving the impression of feeling cramped.
The rooms at The Betsy Hotel are a welcome retreat from the Florida sun. The design is light and airy and flows similar to the rest of the hotel. There isn't one element that stands out because I honestly loved every element in the room, from the white marble bathroom with the herringbone tile to the inviting bed with its plush comforter to the beautiful balcony views.
And of course, the rooms are filled with art décor and books for guests to peruse. If you're an avid reader, the library in the hotel is worth exploring in addition to the books in your room.
Dining at The Betsy Hotel is a must-especially at LT Steak & Seafood. The presentation of the food could be considered art in and of itself. The quality and freshness were evident in every bite, and I already know this restaurant will remain in the top five for me for a long time to come. I highly recommend the Watermelon & Heirloom Tomato salad and The Betsy Crabcake.
If guests are looking for a more casual dining experience, there's also The Alley which is situated between the two sides of the hotel and is a classic Italian pizzeria and gelateria. The pizza is delicious and served in large slices that you might even need to fold to eat. And what better way to cool down than with a large cup of homemade gelato after spending time on the beach?
Just walking down the alleyway between the two sides of the hotel is a treat. Originally a dark alley you wouldn't cut through at night, The Betsy Hotel revamped the area and put their artful touch to make it a destination worth walking through. In addition to the restaurant, they hung up lights and added a Poetry Rail that pays tribute "to poets who shaped Miami literature by including their diverse, historic, and contemporary voices".
Named after Betsy Ross, it reopened as The Betsy Hotel in 2009 after a complete renovation and the property has received an AAA Four Diamond rating multiple years in a row. They're currently offering 15 percent off plus a $50 dining credit when you stay two nights or more.
This truly is a refined beachside haven, and I can't wait for my next stay at The Betsy Hotel.
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