Bust out your bathing suit! It’s time to head to South Beach for Food Network’s South Beach Wine and Food Festival, presented by Food & Wine and taking place February 20 through 23. The fest is four glorious days of fun and food set in beachside tents and Miami’s most exciting party destinations on the strip. In between cooking demos, chef interviews, and delicious hosted dinners, you’ll need a place to rest and recharge. Here, our picks for where to stay in Miami.
(And for up-to-the second delicious coverage, stay tuned to our Out in the World blog and Facebook and Twitter pages. If you see our editors Marie Elena Martinez (@mariesworlds), Dan Koday (@dankoday), or Amanda Cargill (@AmandaSi) at the festival, say hi!)
The Fontainebebleau is a Miami landmark, holding its place among the SOBE beachfront resorts since the 1950s. Now, with a $1 billion expansion and renovation project completed, the hotel is ready for the next 50 years and more. The hotel has 1,504 guest rooms split among four towers (two of which are new), 12 restaurants and lounges, a 40,000 square foot spa, and of course, gorgeous pools with stunning views of the Atlantic. All rooms feature Apple technology (yes, a personal Mac) and luxe finishes like granite counters, 32 inch flat screen TVs, and walk-in showers. If you’re still hungry after the fest, gourmet dining awaits, including Scarpetta, an outpost of chef Scott Conant’s New York City restaurant; Hakkasan, modeled after Alan Yau’s Michelin-rated Hakkasan in London; and Michael Mina 74, created by chef Mina specifically for the hotel. To rest your weary festival-traipsing feet, check out the two level Lapis Spa, with 30 private treatment rooms, a co-ed jetted pool and lounge, and a state of the art gym.
Next, more SoBE Wine and Food Festival hotel recommendations…
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After a $45 million makeover, the SLS Hotel (right) is open for business. Perfectly located just a skip away from Lincoln Road, this chic and trendy spot has everyone talking. 140 guestrooms, 10 villas, and one penthouse designed by Lenny Kravitz (you know, the rock star…) are on offer at this mecca of modern luxury. Spend your days lounging at one of the two pools (we suggest the one with the statue of the rubber ducky, of course), throwing back cocktails at Bar Centro, or dining at one of the two restaurants. For those on an L.A. inspired sushi diet, there’s Miami’s first Katsuya by Starck. For Latin fare, there’s The Bazaar by José Andrés.
Another jewel on South Beach’s Art Deco crown is The Setai, a combination high-rise luxury hotel and condo building. There are 125 suites spread across two towers, all decked out with rich linens, granite bathrooms, rainfall showers, exclusively designed bath products, and a Bose surround-sound system. There are also four restaurants on the property, including The Setai Grill, a posh Asian steakhouse. And you might want to build an extra day into your trip to check out the spa: each suite provides ocean and pool views and a private bath and steam room!
Since opening its doors in 1995, The Delano has been a fixture on South Beach. Sexy and playful, its infamous indoor/outdoor lobby and bars are perfect for sipping an anytime drink. If you decide to stay, the Delano’s 194 rooms won’t disappoint. Each features hand-selected Carerra marble, etched floating mirros, rainfall showers, and Malin and Goetz bath products. Use the bedside iPad to schedule wake up calls and order room service. If you want to upgrade, choose from eight bi-level bungalows by the pool. There are also two restaurants on the property, Bianca, an Italian eatery, and Umi Sushi and Sake Bar; and two gorgeous bars, FDR at the Delano and the Rose Bar. A 3,500 square foot spa offering traditional services and a little something extra (like anti-aging procedures), a 24-hour gym, and a complimentary bike rental program to help you get to the festival grounds are also available.
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