BEST IN SOUTH BEACH!
I just returned from a six night/seven day vacation at the spectacular Delano Hotel. First off, this place is not for penny pinchers. We stayed here over New Year's Eve so prices were almost double the already inflated prices. In addition, expect to pay 40.00 for breakfast, 60.00 for lunch and about 130.00 for dinner (for two people). Having said that, if you have saved your money for a rainy day, this is the place to throw caution to the wind and live it up. The lobby is done in soft whites and soothing browns, the pool and cabana area are breathtakingly beautiful, and the rooms are done in a very soothing and minimilist white-modern design. (Be wary of "Ocean View" rooms: we had one and it was basically a view of the parking lot next door with a speck of a view of the ocean behind it). Nevertheless, the room was so wonderful we really didn't mind too much. If you really want an ocean view, you must get a "Ocean Front"room. The waiters at the pool and the beach were supurb--anything you request will be taken care of (expect of course to tip like crazy--but it is worth it for the high level of service provided here. The restuarant is very good, but I was surpised there weren't more of them. The gift shop is purely a showpiece and offers little for the guests other than kitchy conversational pieces you might put on a coffee table--not very useful for its hotel guests. I was also surpised not to find high-end boutique shops in the hotel itself. For this, you must leave the hotel and shop on Lincoln Road or Collins Ave. Despite the Delano's world-wide reputation, it is really quite a small hotel. The benefit of its small size, however, is the extremely high level of service the hotel provides, such as maid service twice daily. Most of the staff in the hotel were extremely friendly and personable--the only attitude we encountered was at the front desk at David Barton gym and one employee at the gift shop. Other than that, everyone else was great!!
Unique Quality: The location is the best--steps off lincoln Road where you can shop and eat till your hearts content. No need to worry about being away from the Ocean Drive Scene since it is not what it once was, and if you feel like checking it out, it is a nice walk down Collins Ave. where you can do more shopping. Finally, if you have visited the Delano at night but never stayed there, don't be put off by the noise and the party-like atmosphere. During the day it is completely different: serene, peaceful, and totally relaxing. As a guest at the Delano, you will feel like royalty (and you should for the money you will shell out!!) But hey, you're worth it! Don't bother with the other hotels in Miami. They will not even come close to the Delano!!! Have fun.
relaxing at The Delano Hotel
The Delano
The Delano!!
The Delano
