Condé Nast Traveller India - Trident Hotel Bandra Kurla

the beSt
neW hoteLS
IN THE WORLD
THE AmERIcAs
& cARIbbEAN
One of the southern-style
interiors of the Betsy, Miami
the betSy, miami
You could say that a new hotel is just what South Beach doesn' t
need, particularly in the current economic climate. But The Betsy
is the last Florida Georgian-style building on the beach, a grand
colonial dame originally built in Art Deco style by L Murray Dixon,
which has been nipped and tucked for the 21st century. It' s not just
another curvaceous beauty with high-fashion interiors à la Delano.
The 63 rooms and suites have a fresh look that owes more to South
Carolina than SoBe, with shuttered windows, classic furniture
upholstered in fresh candy stripes, colour-coordinated curtains and
cushions, and a thoughtfully chosen pile of books. The bathrooms
are small (mine had a shower only), decked out in marble and
stocked with Malin+Goetz products. The television embedded in
the mirror was rather redundant considering there was no bath
from which to watch it. Though pricey, BLT Steak restaurant is one
of the hotel' s highlights, with an informal atmosphere and design,
and serves great fish options as well as meat. There is a small,
suntrap swimming pool at the back of the hotel; for tanning with
a breeze, head to the rooftop deck where there are loungers facing
the Atlantic, spa cabañas (a range of treatments are on offer) and
a ` wellness garden'. Guests at The Betsy must cross the street to get
to the beach (most Ocean Drive hotels have direct access).
When to go First weekend in December, for Art Basel
Miami Beach.
Room to book A Grand Suite with high ceilings and ocean views.
+1 305 531 6100; www.thebetsyhotel.com. Doubles from
US$229 ( 10,700)
photograph: JuLIEN cApmEIL
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