Aside from eating all the amazing food I shared yesterday, Ryan and I were also looking forward to exploring Miami’s “MiMo District” – an old neighborhood north of downtown filled with mid-century modern architecture.   In several major newspapers I’d read travel articles discussing all the new restaurants and shops in this recently gentrified area,  and the stories had us dying to check the place out.

After filling our bellies at the Latin Cafe, we hopped into a cab and swerved up Rt. 1 (Biscayne Boulevard) through the city, with a very charismatic driver who thanked Jesus very, very vocally and enthusiastically every time the car made a turn without having to be re-started. I got super excited (and may or may not have squealed) when we started passing very interesting and retro looking buildings.

When she dropped us off on a side street (63rd?) and we walked one block to check out the bay, we were immediately conscious of groups of loitering people just watching us.  Fortunately their was a police officer stationed nearby.  But still, we walked right back to the main boulevard, thinking we’d be better off staying away from the side streets. Read the rest of this entry »

Last Friday, when I shared some mid-century inspired photos from latest trip to South Beach, I promised to return with a peek into one of SoBe’s most famous hotels.

Here it is, the wonderfully white and oh-so-glamorous Delano Hotel:

Isn’t that lobby divine?  When you walk in, leaving the sticky Florida air at the door, you’re immediately cooled and refreshed – not only by the temperature but by the ambiance.  Towering white columns and floor-to-ceiling curtains that flank the entirety of the two-story lobby, lending a dramatic yet serene vibe to the space.

Little furniture vignettes are interspersed with bar and restaurant alcoves, providing ample seating for people-watching when day turns to night and the rich come out to play.  I absolutely love the drama of this high-backed sofa in the lime spring green alcove:

I’ve always loved how the marble sushi bar juts out into the lobby at an odd angle:

When night falls you can sip on a fabulous cocktail at the fabric-wrapped Rose Bar, under the light of these gorgeous chandeliers:

. . .unless you’d rather imbibe  while seated in a vintage Eames rocker (I know I would!):

Of course, if you’re in the mood for some fresh air, you can always  saunter right through that billowy white lobby to find yourself at one of the most beautiful pools in Miami:

The pool is, by far, one of my favorite night spots for those evenings when I’m in the mood for relaxin’ and people-watching.  No photos I took of the pool area at night do it justice, so you’ll have to take my word for it – or visit it yourself!  When you kick back on a poolside bed, champagne in hand, and look up to see the palms towering against the dark sky, you know life is good.

I’d love to take you inside one of the $900/night rooms, but frankly I’ve never seen one.  I’ve read oodles of reviews though, and it sounds as though they’re not that exciting when compared to the dramatic opulence of the hotel’s public areas.  Which is just fine and dandy to me.  I’d rather stay at a cheaper hotel and save all my money for partying at the Delano, and the other fantastic hotels in the Morgans group.

So what do you think?  Are you starting to see why I love the ambiance of South Beach so much?

*Photos 1, 4, 6 courtesy of Delano on Facebook.*

Let’s take a peek at Miami’s own Mondrian Hotel, where we spent one glorious day lounging and dining  poolside in high style.

We discovered the fabulosity that is the Mondrian’s pool during a mouth-watering birthday dinner at Asia de Cuba, the hotel’s restaurant.  When the maitre d’  invited us to return the next day and enjoy the private pool, bar, and lounge areas in the sunshine – well, we just couldn’t refuse.  Here’s why:

The Mondrian Hotel, designed by Marcel Wanders, is a svelte, minimalistic, glamorous escape off the beaten path on the Bay side of Miami Beach.   Nothing about it is small-scale, from the massive pillared driveway to the oversized, Alice-in-Wonderland-esque restaurant, to the pinch-yourself-this-is-real  pool & lounge area overlooking the bay.  And while the Asian/Latin fusion fare served up at the restaurant was incredible, it was that outdoor poolside lounge that had us falling head-over-heels for the hotel.

First, you may be green with envy:  Tucked behind the outdoor bar, and nestled next to the side of the building is a lime-green sitting area.  That may have been the moment I fell in love with the springy color for use in home decor.  I’d love to take one of those chairs home with me!

Cheery green sitting area by the Mondrian pool

But why sit there when you could be lounging on a recliner in the sand, palm trees overhead, and gazing at the bay?

A lounging area, near the Mondrian pool and bar, with a view of the bay.

Or if the sun is just too much for you, you could  rent a boxwood cabana for the day.  Yes, you read that right.  These appeared to be living cabanas, sculpted out of boxwoods.  Beneath their graceful arches you and your very swanky friends can lounge on an enormous daybed, chandelier above you, gazing at not the view, but a flat-screen tv.  For those of us who would rather recline in the sun, never fear.  There are more fantastic seating areas just around the corner!

"Living" pool cabanas at the Mondrian Hotel South Beach.

Sun begins to set at the classy poolside of the Mondrian Hotel.

Strawberry basil capairinhas and lemon-herb martinis? Yes, please.

A gorgeous chandelier graces the bathroom of the Mondrian Hotel.

So that’s the short and sweet version of why I fell in love with the Mondrian Miami.

My posting was inspired by the South Beach post over at the Odi et Amo blog.  Be sure to check out her adventures, including her visit to Miami’s design district.  I can’t wait to check that out when I return to SoBe this winter!  And if you want to read more about my personal Miami shenanigans, or about the South Beach mutt who really knows how to beg, hop on over here!