Contributor/ Imran Hussain
Best Known For
Being part of the SLS family with locations in Beverly Hills and Las Vegas – soon to open in the Bahamas and New York. Founded by Sam Nazarian of SBE and designed by Philippe Starck, but with the occasional splash of penthouse allure, courtesy of Lenny Kravitz.
The Good Stuff
The hotel uses the dramatic narrative that Starck made famous, channeling the ghost of Madame de Pompadour. The almost iconic giant duck by the pool ensconced by the cabanas, SLS is what a showpiece hotel is all about. The food in The Bazaar by José Andrés was amazing, I’d highly recommend the eggs and potatas bravas for breakfast, the paprika made it just delicious. Daytime pool lounging is a must in Miami, the lobby scene in SLS is a bit more transient due to the layout, but it still makes for great people watching. In the evening head to the hotel’s Japanese sensation – Katsuya, the chap at the desk mentioned it’s the go-to for sushi in Miami, and I can safely say, it was that damn good. Go for the rock shrimp and the black cod.
The Vibe
Its the Miami scene, Lamborghini’s, the fast life and the international jetset lifestyle the hotel is a love letter to Miami offering Latin, Asian, contemporary and art deco influences . The crowd is beautiful, wealthy and up for a party at the drop of hat, and in this hotel, the party never really ends.
Inside the hotel – 7/10
Some of the rooms are a little on the cosy side. The bed was unbelievably comfortable, I wanted to pack some of those pillows. Getting up everyday, after a late night for a conference, albeit as rock and roll as LE Miami, can be tough. I woke up half a zombie jumped in that walk in, 200 raindrop monsoon shower, and walked out newly born, fresh and ready – unbelievable, it was truly, but inconveniently, swipe worthy. The hotel also features a next to the beach poolside treat Hyde Beach, which Starck describes as, “A sexy hell where beautiful bad girls and boys are dancing on the chairs, on tables drowned in the music, in the heat, in the sweat”.
Outside the hotel – 9/10
Walking out front of the hotel, I saw a store with a t-shirt, citing that famous South Florida adage – “You’re in Miami b*&ch”. And right out front of this hotel, is where that saying was born – the loud girls and fast cars make it sound like Spring Break in June. But rest assured, you can’t hear a peep upstairs. The hotel has its own entrance onto South Beach, accessed from Hyde Beach, and next-door is where the Miami design hotel movement all began – the Delano. You’re a 10minute walk from Lincoln Mall and it’s not too far to the Design District.
