Mr & Mrs Smith

Mondrian Miami

Miami, United States

‘Boutique’ may be a bit of a stretch to describe the 335-room South Beach sensation Mondrian Miami, but Dutch designer Marcel Wanders’ sleek and Starck-ish interiors lend the hotel an unexpected air of intimacy. Outside, one of the city’s sexiest pools overlooks the shoreline sweep of Biscayne Bay, and inside, a hip crowd of Florida fashionistas sup cocktails at the spectacular Sunset Lounge bar.

Need to know

• Rooms 335, including 190 suites.
• Rates Double rooms from $305.00, excluding tax at 13 per cent.
• More details Rates exclude breakfast (around US$35 each).
• Facilities Spa, gym, WiFi throughout (US$14.95 a day), valet parking (US$37 a night), boat landing. In rooms: flatscreen TV (with Tivo), iPod dock, kitchenette with mini-fridge, Malin+Goetz bath products.
• Poolside Mondrian’s oversized pool terrace is a hotel highlight, with staggering Biscayne Bay views. Massive private cabanas are created by manicured arched hedges and feature flatscreen TVs, lounge furniture and a locker.
• Check-out Midday, although later check-out may be possible, with half a day’s room charge. Check-in: 3pm.
• Children Cots can be supplied for babies, and older children can sleep in extra beds for US$25 a night. Local nannies can be arranged to babysit, from US$29 an hour, with a day’s notice.
• Also Smoking is allowed in designated rooms, by the pool and on the restaurant terrace.

Food and drink at Mondrian Miami

• Hotel restaurant

  The white and whimsical Asia de Cuba spills out into the lobby and, as the name suggests, fuses Asian and Latin cuisine to create intensely flavoured dishes, such as calamari salad with chayote, palm hearts, banana and cashews, and tuna tartare with olives and almonds. Surrounded by etched mirrors and candelabra, one lengthy dining table is bookended by high-backed ‘whisper chairs’ that enable diners at either end of the table to hear each other speak at the lowest volumes.

• Dress code

  Go for bold Balenciaga or Moschino cocktail dresses. And remember, there’s no upper limit on heel length or sunglasses size here.

• Top table

  For real romance, rent on of the poolside cabanas and arrange to dine in there. Alternatively, secure a pot on the terrace for Biscayne Bay views while you eat.

• Last orders

  Dinner’s available until 11pm during the week and midnight at weekends. The bar buzzes on till 2am (4am on Fridays, and 3am on Saturdays).

• Room service

  A full 24-hour menu is available.

• Hotel bar

  One of Miami’s hippest hangouts, Sunset Lounge is named and decorated in honour of the original Mondrian on Sunset boulevard, with etched mirrored walls, a slick black-and-white colour theme. There are regular DJ nights, and the mixed berry caipirhinas are beauty in a glass.

Mondrian Miami 1100 West Avenue, Miami, FL 33139