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Published: June 21st 2016
My last visit to Miami was back in January 2013, with the kids, but we had no time for South Beach. So here I am back to a place a lot of you have in their mind, or imagination...
My first visit here was some 15 years ago. At the time, South Beach was suddenly back in trend....and the place had just few trendy hotels, the first one being the Delano. The Delano, designed by Starck, opened back in 1999! Today, you have a Ritz-Carlton, a St Regis, a W...and the Faena is re-designing 3 blocks a little North! Art Deco South Beach is back in the game.
The high season here is during the winter. Soon, the hurricane season will be back....more rain, and lower room rates! You could easily find a room here for 600usd a night, and that's starting rates! At Christmas time, it's double this!
I'm staying this time at the Royal Palm, a new Tribute hotel by Starwood. The selling point of the hotel is simple...Location, Location, Location! Beside this, the hotel management and staff has a lot to learn. South Beach is not well-known for quality
service....or good price to quality ratio....nothing different here. It's ok, I just had to spend few points for a room....don't see how or why people could pay 300-400usd for the room I'm sleeping in tonight! I know, non-sense...my check-out bill was only 34usd! And that's the rip-off compulsory "resort fee"!
Not much shopping in South Beach...it's either H&M, Zara, or cheap low quality imports...ad inflated rates! I hate the new globalization of H&M, Zara and others....we used to travel to discover things we could get home....and that does extend for me to brands like La Martina! Give me my world back!
I stopped for lunch for a cubano sandwich...and at dinner for a burger by Five Guys.....these haven't made it to Asia yet...so yes, I gastro'junkfood travel too! No ceviches this time though!
I used to sped fun evening at the Delano....grand-dame hotel of South Beach. I do remember few years back...walking in the sushi bar with a friend from Lima. The chef would recognize me, and my friend would go...wait a minute....you live in Asia, we are in Miami, and the chef knows you...what going on.Next I would tell him
,forget about the menu...and we would go with the chef special for us...oh yes, and the bill would attract a 25% tip...because they would simply forget to charge way too many things on the final bill! Well...I was young, or this was my past...but this Saturday evening, the Delano looked pretty....boring....had an overcharged gin tonic....they don't even have a decent pisco! And went back to my little room!
Next morning, I'm back on the bus! South Beach to Miami Airport is just 2.65usd one way....why take a shuttle or even an overcharged taxi...when you can do it as fast for close to nothing! Doesn't stop me to fly Business! Even if I have to admit, flying business international/regional on American airlines....make me always think...that if Miami is a third world type of airport...AA is no better! Want to know why people fly private jet in the States....it's because premium in US....is simply worst than low cost in Asia!
Got my little Miami time...was nice...ready to come back in 10 years! You only miss what you never get...so little of the last 48 hours....every 10 years, is the perfect fix! And if you ask me...would
you ever want to live here....guess!
Next stop...not much better....because if you want to claim that you have seen the world....you also have to dive what is truly not impressive....but some dream about...
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taracloud
Tara Cloud
Love the Art Deco!
I'd love to see this classic old architecture, but Miami and Florida in general, has just never attracted me. The crowds and, as you say, inflated prices, just don't seem worth it. But the Art Deco--just maybe. Happy mediocre diving in your next spot--at least you can tick it off your list!