The palm-lined sands of South Beach, Miami are a beautiful cliché of the ideal summer. For a perfect stay here, the hotel must touch the beach. It must channel the art deco glamour of Miami, without succumbing to overworked stereotypes. Luxury and first-class service must be ubiquitous.
The James Royal Palm fulfils all of our wishes. Sitting on the beachfront, by the renowned Ocean Drive, it gives guests direct access to the waves. The hotel’s Sun Concierge will even bring buckets of cool water to chill your feet, or a Kindle to keep you occupied, as you tan on the sand.
The hotel was built in the 1930s and a recent $42m renovation has restored the art deco charm of the building. The compass rose on the lobby floor, porthole windows in the lobby lounge and the green glass reception desk are among the original features reinstated as part of the new design. Dark woods fit perfectly next to white walls, splashes of powdery colour and authentic furniture.
First-class service and luxury extras ensure a relaxing stay for both business and leisure travellers. A 24-hour business lounge, dedicated conference services manager, meeting space with car service and restaurant-style corporate catering make every business encounter easy and enjoyable. After meetings, airy suites with tempting views to the horizon bring the sun to you when there’s work to do indoors.
During quieter moments, enjoy the swimming pools, plunge pool, beach access and numerous spa facilities – which offer salt-based treatments inspired by the ocean. The James Club serves beverages and refreshments all day, accompanied by a selection of games and an excellent library of books to borrow.
Dining here is a real pleasure, with two impressive, professional restaurants to choose from: Florida Cookery and Catch Miami. Both offer traditional regional dishes, featuring locally sourced ingredients and an impressive array of freshly caught seafood. After dinner, the South Shore bar specialises in rum and cigars, while the intimate SL Miami nightclub provides exclusive table and bottle service for groups of any size.
At night, retire to one of the many opulent accommodation options – from deluxe guestrooms, to poolside apartments and loft suites. The James Royal Palm is drawn together by a carefully curated art collection, ‘An Ocean Apart’. Pieces have been commissioned specially and the hotel works with local institutions to establish artists-in-residence. The project helps to further unify an already coherent and attractive aesthetic; a final detail to ensure the perfect stay.
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