In the know

Our favourite rooms: All suites have ocean rooms, but floors five and up offer less ocean drive action and more ocean. Our top pick is room 601, a corner suite, has north- and east-facing windows, with the palm trees and twinkling ocean reflected in the full-length brass mirror, so you never miss out on the view while you’re sprawling on the cosy coral sofa. The ninth floor consists of two suites that can be booked as a whole – the views from the luxury outdoor terrace make it more than worth the splurge.
Packing tips: Your iPod – all rooms have docks and, trust us, you don’t want to rely on Floridian radio for your aural entertainment.
Also: The moment you arrive, you’ll be assigned a ‘personal assistant’ – trained by the Guild of English Butlers – who’ll be on hand throughout your stay to cater to your most outlandish whims.

Miami hotels: The Tides South Beach, need to know

Current offers

Smith card offer: A ‘Tides Royale’ cocktail each on arrival

The Tides South Beach

Miami, United States [view map]

Style: Classic SoBe sophistication
Setting: Opulent Ocean Drive

You can almost taste the air of old-world Miami-glam as you float up the steps through The Tides’ grand art deco entrance – it’s the kind of boutique hotel you’d expect to find Marilyn Monroe resting her perfectly coiffed tresses while the Rat Pack slug martinis in the lobby bar. From the rooms through to the restaurant, Kelly Wearstler’s interiors are tactile, golden and glamorous, with shaggy rugs, travertine floors, smooth terrazzo features, whitewashed driftwood, and, everywhere, the feeling that you’re being very spoilt indeed.

Need to know

Rooms: 45 suites, including three penthouses.
Rates: Low season, $450–$895; high season, $595–$995. Penthouses, $1,000–$5,000. Rates go up at the weekend, and excludes breakfast and 13 per cent tax.
Check-out: Midday. Later check-out by special arrangement.
Facilities: Gym, DVD selection, WiFi ($10 a day); laptop rental; valet parking ($35 a night). In rooms: huge plasma TV, DVD/CD player with disc selection, iPod dock, Nespresso machine, minibar, water bar, fresh fruit selection.
Poolside: The Tides’ pool is flanked by beachy cabanas, and massage and spa treatments are available. Clean-lined chaise longues and parasols allow you to recline among the palms leaves, sun-soaking and star-spotting.
Eco-friendly: Green wedding packages are available.
Also: For a one-off $150 fee, you can check your pets in too (if they’re under 35lbs); pads, litter trays and walking services are available. There are some rooms designated for smokers.

Food & drink

Hotel restaurant: La Marea’s Italian chef creates a fresh and flavoursome medley of Mediterranean dishes, include some excellent pasta creations – to be followed by a digestivo of zingy home-made limoncello.
Dress code: Trim, tanned and tasteful.
Top table: Although tempting, we recommend eschewing the domed leather chairs in favour of a terrace table for dining/posing alfresco.
Last orders: Breakfast is available until 11.30am, lunch until 4.30pm and dinner from 7pm to 13.30pm. The bars keep pouring until 1am.
Room service: The Tides has a full private dining service 24 hours a day, and the restaurant menu is available in-room during opening hours. There’s a selection of hot and cold meals and snacks during the night, too.
Hotel bar: The hotels’ signature popsicle martinis (fruity alco-icepops) are prepared in the lobby’s centerpiece waterhole; the creamy gold-hued Coral Bar serves fab rum cocktails in a deliciously glitzy setting: quintessential Miamian bar culture.

Other facilities

Children: Under-12s stay free and cots are available. Rollaway beds (only in king-size, premiere and penthouse suites) cost $50 a day. Babysitting can be arranged for $18.50 an hour, with a four-hour minimum.
Weddings: This hotel is suitable for weddings click here for more info.

Smith card offer

A ‘Tides Royale’ cocktail each on arrival

If you're a member of Mr & Mrs Smith, you can get special privileges at every Smith hotel you book through us. Just show your Smith card at check-in to claim the offer featured on every hotel page (like the one above).

Click here to become a Mr & Mrs Smith member

Smith concierge

If you’d prefer to talk to someone, or you’re having trouble booking online, ring our travel team on 0845 034 0700 (+44 20 8987 4312 from outside the UK). We guarantee you’ll get the best available rates, and we don’t charge a booking fee.