A perennial hotspot for over 15 years, the W South Beach is still a destination for celebrity sightings, a buzzy lobby bar with museum-quality art, a giant pool lined with cabanas and a chic spa in an unbeatable location. Newly refreshed suites all boast ocean views.
Location 10/10
W South Beach occupies an unbeatable oceanfront location on Collins Avenue and 22nd Street. It’s a 10-minute walk to Lincoln Road and surrounded by some of the nicest hotels, restaurants and nightclubs in South Beach. It’s also across the street from the Bass museum and pretty Collins Park.
“In my life there have been no seasons except for the year in New York.”
Eve Babitz, ‘Eve’s Hollywood,’ 1972
Design 9/10
W South Beach is sophisticated and fun on a massive scale. The hotel underwent an extensive multi-million-dollar renovation in 2020, refreshing both common areas and guestrooms. The clubby vibe in the luxurious, dark marble-clad lobby is much the same with its rotating collection of museum quality art by Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat amongst other contemporary masters, while the furnishings have been refined with a more sophisticated, minimalist edge. The enormous oceanfront pool is encircled by cabanas for inspired lounging in a lush, expansive backyard.
Amenities & Hospitality 9/10
True to the W brand, the hotel boasts a “Whatever/Whenever” 24-hour concierge service, which translates to an attentive staff eager to accommodate requests, small and large. In addition to the oceanfront pool, there’s rooftop basketball and tennis courts, a fitness center and the Away Spa, a serene escape in creamy limestone with a eucalyptus steam room.
Rooms 9/10
The hotel is home to some of the most luxurious and spacious rooms on the beach. Thanks to its architectural design, each room is angled for ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows with spacious glass balconies. All are equipped with a lounge area featuring low-slung, built-in cream sofas, blush area rugs, sea foam accent chairs, massive televisions, and white lacquered walls with black-and-white photography depicting surf scenes. The overall aesthetic is relaxed beachy chic. Each room also has a kitchenette with a Nespresso machine.
Spacious marble bathrooms are equally inviting with rainfall showers; some with soaking tubs.
Food & Beverage 7/10
While the hotel was once anchored by a celebrity chef-helmed restaurant, it’s now home to more standard hotel fare with The Grove, serving Tuscan-influenced dishes, including branzino and spaghetti vongole, plus burgers and pizza. Breakfast is also served here with dishes like a steak and egg burrito or fluffy blueberry buttermilk pancakes, as well as a menu of cold-pressed juices and coffees. Mr. Chow is still holding court, serving haute Chinese in an opulent setting.
Living Room remains a crowd pleaser. The stylish and sprawling lobby lounge serves craft cocktails indoors and out to a buzzy crowd. Through the years, I’ve rubbed elbows here with everyone from Derek Jeter to Swedish House Mafia and Ice Cube.
Value 9/10
Rates from about $587 in low season and $799 in high. Book
The Bottom Line
She’s not the newest hotel on the block anymore, but it’s still hard to beat W South Beach for a stylish and luxurious stay in the heart of it all.
Contact
2201 Collins Avenue; 305-938-3000; wsouthbeach.com
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