Miami Beach has a new urban watering hole. The Gansevoort South Hotel, Spa & Residencies at the north end of Collins Ave (between 23rd & 24th Streets) is ostensibly an export from New York City, but in truth, it carries all the in-your-face grandiosity of a Vegas resort with a 50 foot shark tank stretching across the lobby and a full city block of upscale boutiques and lounges, and also the signature trappings of luxury Miami hotels like an oceanfront beach club and a high-end Spa. The only noticable nod to New York chic is the magnificient rooftop Plunge lounge. But first, the basics.

The Gansevoort South has 334 rooms averaging about 700 sq ft each, most with unobstructed ocean views. That includes 68 deluxe double rooms, 180 deluxe king rooms, 72 one-bedroom suites, 14 two-bedroom suites, and one Grand Dame Suite. A blend of modern and dramatic, rooms include charcoal gray suede walls punctuated by splashes of magenta and yellow and a range of textures from wood to leather in custom-designed tables, sofas, lounge chairs and oversize mirrors.  1930’s and 40’s pin-up style photographs add a playful air to the spacious, light-filled rooms.

In-room amenities include plush feather beds with 400 thread count Egyptian cotton linens, five fixture bathrooms with bath amenities by Cutler,  complimentary high-speed Internet access and wi-fi internet throughtout the hotel, HDTV with CD/DVD players and iPod docks, surround sound stereo systems, in-room safe, nespresso machines (suites only), complimentary beach bags, yoga mats and beach size towels.

Additional amenities include 24 hour room service and concierge services, a Sony PSP and Playsation available for use, complimentary newspaper delivery, valet parking, valet laundry and in-room spa services. Room rates from $595.

But in Miami, the rooms are usually an after-thought. What matters most is a) A beach Club, and b) An oceanview Spa. And the Gansevoort South passes this rorschach test with flying colors. Not like there aren’t enough things to do in Miami, but once you enter this slice of paradise, its highly questionable how much time you’ll spend outside it.

On offer is a 110-foot ocean view swimming pool on a 26,000-square-foot Brazilian Ipe rooftop deck 18 floors high with “Plunge” bar and lounge, a second infinity-edge ocean view “Pool Plaza” surrounded by a 50,000-square-foot pool deck and dining oasis, an oceanfront beach club totaling 55,000-square-feet with fire and water features, by acclaimed Nikki Beach designer Stephane Dupoux, private cabana level totaling 6,000-square-feet, and a 45,000-square-foot flagship David Barton Gym and Spa including a variety of new classes, personal training and a 10,000-square-foot spa with ocean views.

In addition, the Gansevoort South, which will cater not only to its hotel guests, but also the owners of the 259 condos on sale at prices starting from $675,000, showcases a full city block of luxury boutiques and restaurants: Inca, a sophisticated boutique of boho-chic bags, swimwear and resort wear; Big Drop, a boutique for of-the-moment styles from exciting fashion talents for men and women; Cutler Salon which fuses the fashion world with a luxurious hair salon; Louis, an intimate lounge by The Opium Group; Restaurants by The ONE Group and designed by ICRAVE (STK) and Philippe Chow (Philippe); and the first-ever Café Bustelo coffee lounge.

For business and executive travelers, the Gansevoort South has 45,000 sq ft of meeting and event space, including a 7,000-square-foot Ballroom that accommodates up to 500 people; six state-of-the-art meeting rooms; a large outdoor terrace with ocean views; and a 3,400-square-foot Grande Dame Suite, with views of the ocean and Miami Beach strip.

Info: 2377 Collins Avenue (between 23rd & 24th Streets) Miami Beach FL 33139;  (305) 604-1000; www.gansevoortsouth.com; Photos courtesy & copyrights Gansevoort Hotel Group.  

Posted on July 8th, 2008 by PLing
Filed under: Hotels