South Beach is Miami's Art Deco jewel, a place full of energy and excitement, with a vibrant beating heart. The Setai's Zen-like tranquillity and Asian elegance offers a welcome contrast to both the frantic pace and the plethora of uber-designed, modern boutique hotels that dominate the skyline.
From the main entrance on Collins Avenue, you can see the hotel's eight-story classic Art Deco building, but inside, you have one of the city's most beautifully designed spaces, with a palpable serenity and soothing atmosphere.
Heavy Asian design influences are offset by orange accents, including carefully placed oranges (seamlessly replaced by candles at sundown) and stunning centrepiece displays of 500 orange roses.
The Art Deco building contains 85 studio suites, averaging a capacious 600 square feet, each with flat-screen televisions, iPod docks, complimentary espresso machines, Asprey bath products and exquisite Duxiana beds.
The adjacent 40-storey tower contains 45 one, two and three bedroom suites, ranging from 900 to 3,500 square feet, each with floor-to-ceiling windows, full kitchens, Jacuzzi bathtubs and balconies offering panoramic views across the ocean or of downtown Miami in all its glory.
There is also a 10,000 sq ft penthouse suite with spectacular balconies, private lap pool, Jacuzzi and glorious views of the Miami skyline.
The three swimming pools are the hotel's focal point, each heated to a different temperature, gradually becoming warmer as you get closer to the beach. The poolside assistants are wonderfully attentive, with an array of cooling products replenished unobtrusively throughout the day.
The day beds offer an ideal place from which to enjoy an afternoon cocktail (the frozen bellini was a particular highlight) but lunch is best enjoyed at the oceanfront restaurant, the Pool & Beach Bar, one of the few South Beach hotels where you can dine with views of the ocean.
Service is exemplary throughout: warm, friendly and attentive with eastern and western hospitality blending seamlessly, and complimentary wifi throughout the hotel, as well as poolside, was particularly welcome.
The spa at The Setai, which continues with the Asian influence in both design and treatments, is intimate, calming and thoroughly relaxing. Each spa suite has ocean and pool views, a private bath and steam room, and can accommodate two people to enjoy treatments at the same time. Our Balinese massage was truly delightful and a perfect way to unwind after a hard day soaking up the sun.
With its beautiful design, impeccable service levels and endearing tranquillity, The Setai is undoubtedly one of Miami's best hotels, with the added benefit of having South Beach's decadence on its doorstep.
Website: www.setai.com
Address: 2001 Collins Avenue, Miami, Florida 33139
Phone: +1 305 520 6000
When to go? Miami, with its buzzy, lively atmosphere, is one of the best places to celebrate New Year's Eve, and The Setai is one of Miami's finest hotels. The New Year's Eve soiree will recreate 'Marrakech's sparkling social scene' in the 'East meets West' style of the hotel. Click here for full details.
How to get there?Virgin Atlantic has daily flights to Miami from London, with return flights from around £400. Paying a little more at the airport for extra legroom was definitely worth it!
For further information or to make a booking, please contact your concierge at Bon Vivant. To make sure you're kept informed of similar updates on a regular basis, subscribe to the blog, our fortnightly newsletter, follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook!