Hotel Spotlight: Miami Beach EDITION
AN ICONIC MIAMI BEACH HOTEL. REIMAGINED.
If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I just announced I'm 21 weeks pregnant with our first child, a baby girl due in November! Greg and I are beyond thrilled, and I'm taking advantage of the second trimester energy burst to get back into the swing of writing and working on the blog. Shortly before we found out the happy news, we spent a long weekend in Miami and I've been anxious to share the details of our stay ever since we returned from that trip!
I'll be honest, I've never had much of a desire to spend time in Miami. Not only do I prefer the state's West Coast beaches, but the scene that South Beach is known for isn't really my thing. However, as you know, I love a great hotel and Miami is home to a handful that I've had my eyes on for quite some time, so when Greg had to visit for work, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to tag along and check one of these properties off my list. The hotel that landed at the top was the Miami Beach EDITION, a property that perfectly blends the intimacy and style of a boutique hotel with the amenities of a luxury resort - a winning combination in my book and it did not disappoint.
The best way to describe the hotel is laid-back tropical elegance, which I sensed from the moment we pulled off famed Collins Avenue into the hotel's tucked-away entrance. The lobby is bright and airy with sheer curtains, white marble, linen furniture and pops of gold detail thoughtfully intertwined with large potted palms everywhere you look. It's quite stunning and immediately put me in vacation mode. Plus, I couldn't help but jot down notes for future interior design ideas! The natural, airy vibe continues throughout the property, including the guest rooms which, while very modern and simplistic in design, give off a calm and inviting feel. We booked an ocean view room which was spacious and had every detail attended to, but if you're looking to splurge, the hotel also offers one and two-level bungalows (depending on which level you choose, they may come with their own private elevator, plunge pool and rooftop deck - sounds pretty irresistible)!
In my opinion, the best part about staying at any resort is the one-stop-shop appeal, thanks to all the on-site amenities typically at hand, and the Miami Beach EDITION is no exception! This 3.5 acre property offers every amenity you could want, from the standard spa all the way to an ice skating rink (yes, you read that correctly). We were so content with the services the hotel offered that we didn't leave the property once during our stay, and would have liked to stay on longer! As if we weren't already planning on spending the majority of our time on the beach, the sea of blue and white stripes lining the sand sucked me in and turned us into beach bums for 48 hours. In addition to it's fun design, one of the great things about the EDITION's beachfront is that it's one of the largest of any Miami resort, so even during a busy holiday weekend we had no issue securing chaises and umbrellas.
If sand isn't your thing, a few yards away lies a lushly landscaped outdoor space appropriately named Tropicale, which features two unique swimming pools surrounded by custom teak lounges. Private cabanas with oversized daybeds and poolside luxuries are also available for use, though any seat in the house feels pretty exclusive. Tip: the poolside food is delicious (order the lobster grilled cheese!) but make sure to save room for dessert as there's the cutest ice cream cart on deck which hands out free cones to guests looking to cool off mid-afternoon. Just one of the hotel's little touches that go a long way!
Speaking of food, the hotel offers a handful of restaurants, each unique and worth eating at. I highly recommend having breakfast or lunch at Market, a food-hall inspired dining room offering a bit of everything, and dinner at Matador Room. The latter's menu is Latin and Caribbean inspired, using local, seasonal ingredients in its dishes, and is set in a dining room reminiscent of the glamorous supper clubs of the 1940's and 50's (in fact, the original Matador Room was a favorite of Frank Sinatra). We had a wonderful meal here followed by a few games of bowling in the BASEMENT, which is a must-see during any stay. It was such a fun night! Make sure to reserve a lane in advance as they book up quickly.
All things said, if you're looking to book a hotel in Miami, or searching for a long weekend destination, this resort is worth considering! I was pleasantly surprised how I didn't feel as though I was in clubby South Beach but simply on a tropical vacation, all thanks to the environment and experience EDITION hotels are out to provide their guests with. EDITION has a handful of properties across the globe (with quite a few more opening this year) and as no two cities are alike, their properties aren't either. Each one is designed to give guests a curated taste of the locale, resulting in a refreshing collection of individualized hotels. This "anti-hotel chain" is part of Marriott's rewards program, so even more incentive to check them out if you're a member. I know it won't be my last experience with EDITION!
