When it comes to Miami, the word “iconic” is best reserved for The Surf Club, the Surfside social club-slash-luxury hotel that’s served as a playground for the world’s glitterati since the 1930s. Some famous guests from across the decades? Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, as well as Winston Churchill. “I want sun, solitude, serenity, and something to eat, perhaps something to drink,” the British prime minister said. (From his cabana, he painted the ocean.)
Today, the historic property’s hotel is managed by the Four Seasons, who act as a worthy steward to its grandeur: A rich landscape of coconut palms graces its nine acres of oceanfront, while the restored lobby maintains the same Mediterranean style, vaulted ceilings, and flora murals as the original. (In fact, so spectacular is the setting that Dolce & Gabbana hosted their Alta Moda show here in 2022.) It’s also a culinary paradise: Michelin-starred chefs Thomas Keller and Marco Calenzo each have their own signature restaurants. —Elise Taylor
- Amenities: Heated outdoor pools, on-site restaurants, spa/wellness center, complimentary bicycles, children’s programming, complimentary MOKE house car, fitness center, beach service
- Address: 9011 Collins Avenue, Surfside, Florida 33154
The Faena in Miami Beach. Courtesy of The Faena.
The Faena, with its bold red awnings, gold-leaf ceilings, and unabashed embrace of animal print, exudes a dramatic, disorderly glamor. Which, for many in Miami, is exactly what you want—this is the city, after all, known for its magnetic atmosphere of neon lights, pool parties, and nightclubs. The Faena allows you easy access to this maximalist energy without sacrificing comfort: Its guest rooms have Carrara marble bathrooms and private butlers, while its restaurant, Los Fuegos, is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Francis Mallman. Then, there’s its famous art glass-encased mammoth titled “Gone But Not Forgotten,” by Damien Hirst. (Go ahead, take a picture—you know you want to.) —E.T.
- Amenities: On-site restaurants, swimming pool, theater, bar, beach service, wellness center/spa
- Address: 3201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33140
Courtesy of The Edition
