The iconic beachfront art-deco boutique resort set in a lush tropical oasis in Miami’s South Beach is just a little over one month old. Revamped from its 1935 glory, the mesmerizing property successfully blends the Miami Art Basel vibe with the bone structure of another era.
The cozy home-y feel is evident as soon as you stride in the lobby with Palm Beach tropical-style pink and green fabrics on rattan furniture and a sweeping palm frond mural painted behind the fireplace by a recent visiting artist during Art Basel. It’s hard not to admire the attention to thoughtful detail at every turn, especially the lobby’s ornate hand-painted colorful striped border wall print, Art Deco glass lighting fixtures, and pink backgammon set.
The multi-million-dollar refresh is evident wherever you look and is so inviting it’s difficult to not leave with major design inspiration. While I relish the warm winds from my bedroom’s balcony, I can’t help wonder if Miami’s newest best-kept secret will be a secret for long and if getting a room in the future will be near impossible. In spring 2020, guests will be able to enjoy an intimate Café Bar restaurant and a charming outdoor garden with an on-premise cigar roller.
Ten Reasons to stay at The Savoy, Miami’s newest boutique hotel
1. A personable boutique resort with a huge personality
There is something a resort with this much character and charm provides that cannot be provided by a monstrous chain – that often upcharges you with parking fees and overpriced food and drink. You will not find this at The Savoy where friendly staff want to make your every whim satisfied.
2. Spacious mid-century mod rooms
Our ground level room felt more like a mini apartment with a separate living room and bedroom and 2 separate balcony areas with exterior swinging doors. Warm winds made the curtains flow while hypnotic tunes filled our room surrounded by swaying palm fronds. When my husband had to work early in the morning, he could retreat to the other room while I slept. A minibar was fully stocked with specialty items.
The clean streamlined décor intrigued me with unique mid-century pieces like a swank wooden sidebar credenza, a white painted vintage lamp, hanging basket lamp, rich velvet curtains and carpets, a plush mauve intimate sofa, and circular mirror. The interior design firm Modplay Studio is responsible for the beauty, giving the 31 spacious suites a cheerful elegance with old school lamps, banana leaf-print wallpaper, rich velvet furnishings, brass finishes, and eclectic artwork. The gorgeous bathroom floor tiles looked like they were salvaged from a former time while the intoxicating gardenia Kai scent used in the mounted toiletries was a nice touch.
3. A cheerfully painted poolscape
If we were not in our room, we were stuck on a poolside chaise lounge at this two-acre beachside poolscape area painted in fun floral hues spiraling floor-side from the lobby to the pool. Instead of follow the yellow brick road; its follow the flowery floor mural path! Appealing bold tropical flora spans the ground thanks to artist Michael Lin. Towel service can be expected poolside pampering all visitors while various seating areas include a tiki palapa-type bar, cozy couch sand seating, and an upper deck with more loungers, cabana chairs, and peach-hued and white fringe umbrellas. Take dips in one of two pools (heated or cold) while ordering food or drink to your area.
4. Friendly accommodating service
The feel of a property can change drastically without warm welcoming friendly staff. At the Savoy expect to feel very well taken care of. Our pool cabana boy made sure we always had what we needed. Before our arrival, he made sure our loungers were outfitted in towels, water, and menus. When we needed extra time in our room before check-out, our wish was granted, but as popularity is sure to grow in this Art Deco design gem, this may not be a guaranteed room perk.
5. Walking distance to all the action and steps to the beach
Just steps outside on the street side of The Savoy guests can quickly find themselves in Art Deco heaven – restaurants, bars, clubs, museums, hotels, and more all teeming with customers in revitalized buildings of another time – buildings doused in dreamy pastels, some with Egyptian motives, and others designed with curvy angular lines and porthole-like windows to look like cruise ships. Although the hotel sits in South Beach close to the tip of the Pointe in a tranquil neighborhood known to locals as SoFi (South of Fifth), the action is a nearby walk. Gelato and Italian food can be also found across the street.
On the other side of the property near the pools, guests can hop on a bike or walk the Miami Beach Boardwalk with the hotel so close to South Pointe Park (or tip of island and pier) where the ever-expanding Baywalk runs up the west side of the island and takes you past yachts, cruise ships leaving the port, and numerous waterfront restaurants and bars. Ready for the beach? Walk a few feet directly across the boardwalk from The Savoy to sunbathe or swim in the warm aquamarine ocean waters.
6. Complimentary breakfast
At all hours, guests can enjoy scrumptious coffee and tea in the lobby as well as fruit infused water throughout the property. Another welcome perk is complimentary breakfast (although like most hotels now there is a resort fee of $35) including pastries, bagels, and cream cheese, fruit, and yogurt parfaits.
7. Cubanas and coconuts by the pool
Poolside, order a fresh coconut (imprinted with Savoy logo) filled with chilled coconut water and a shot of rum at the palapa-style Tulum-esque bar. When in Miami, spend a sunny lunch taking pool dips and munching on their finely crafted cheesy Cubana with McDonald’s style fries. Guacamole and a healthy shake will fuel your lazy day watching the fluffy clouds move across the sky and dueling skittish lizards with curled tails.
Soon, a minimalist white bar and restaurant with sweeping ceilings and a somewhat 70s swank vibe will open on the property.
8. A concerted effort to reduce plastic
Guests can appreciate the hotel’s mindful practices to reduce plastic waste with large bottles of yummy smelling Kai fragrance products mounted in showers and the bathroom instead of tiny plastic throwaway toiletries. The hotel makes refilling water bottles and glass cups easy too by placing water throughout the property infused with lemon and lime.
9. Dreamy chill music sets the mood
Frequently we commented about the enchanting music that was drifting throughout the property as if someone was hired to create a playlist just for The Savoy to match the ambiance. The alluring music matched the sway of the palms and created a mood that could have gone terribly wrong with other beats. The relaxing tunes added to the sophisticated elegance.
10. Expand your mind in the lobby
Choose one of The Savoy’s thoughtful books artistically placed in the opulent lobby to read poolside or stay awhile to play a friendly game of Backgammon (in pink, of course) at the communal wooden table. Savor your breakfast bites here too while meeting other guests over coffee. Since this is America’s art capital, admire the lobby’s rotating art exhibits like funky sculptural pieces made from plastics and waste.
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