W South Beach Hotel Review: An Oceanfront Luxury Oasis With Easy Access to Art Basel and Museums in Miami
W South Beach is a luxury beachfront hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Courtesy of W South Beach
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With one of the most spectacular views in Miami, Florida, W South Beach is one of the most luxurious hotels on South Beach.
The property overlooks the wide expanse of the ocean on one side; on the other side facing the city, there’s easy access to art meccas, like the Bass Art Museum, and the Miami Convention Center, which hosts destination-worthy festivals like the world-renowned Art Basel exhibition, on the other side of the hotel.
South Beach is located on the southern tip of Florida, and this was my second visit to Miami. The first time I went, I was in my 20s and wanted to explore the bars and nightclubs that electrify the area. This time, I was older and in search of wellness and relaxation, looking for ways not to overstimulate. I found that in South Beach.
Rooms and suites at W South Beach feature ocean views with thoughtful design details. Courtesy of W South Beach
Located right alongside the beautiful ocean and the main street, Collins Avenue, the W South Beach Hotel has 357 guest suites and five private villas with their own plunge pools and rooftop barbecue. We stayed in the Oasis Suite on the 17th floor — a gorgeous, roomy place with two balconies overlooking the city and the beach.
We had a full kitchen, a living room with floor-to-ceiling views of the ocean and the city, laundry area, a second room that could double as a sitting room or bedroom since it had an oversized, deep-seated divan; and a main bedroom with another balcony that faced the ocean so we could lull ourselves to sleep with the waves.
The rooms and suites at the hotel also feature oversized balconies. Courtesy of W South Beach
The lobby is decorated with artwork from Jean-Michel Basquiat, Rachel Feinstein, and KAWS. On-site are a few dining and bar options, such as The Grove and Living Room Bar. Adjacent to the hotel lobby is Mr. Chow, the Beijing restaurant that showcases demonstrations of how to hand-pull noodles for toothsome dishes.
There’s a vast array of activities to choose from. Each day, a daily wellness class or two were offered, which ranged from restorative yoga, mat Pilates, and HIIT classes to and power flow and restore.
There was also a plethora of other offerings, such as a frozen grapes break, smoothie samplings, premium water tastings, and aromatic towels to freshen up your skin.
It’s the only spot with rooftop pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts. Open 24/7, the fitness center spans 2,500 square feet with Pelotons and fitness mirrors.
The resort is steps away from the white sand beaches and crystal blue waters. Courtesy of W South Beach
With two pools to choose from, there are tons of lounge chairs on tiered terraces, perfect for people watching. The hotel has a private entrance to the path that runs alongside the beach that people use for jogging, walking, and biking.
Just on the other side of the path is the world-famous beach where the W South Beach Hotel has an outpost, providing the hotel’s beachfront amenities that include setting up beach chairs and umbrellas as well as food and beverages, such as refreshing mojitos.
AWAY Spa is the hotel’s 9,540-square-foot sanctuary for wellness and relaxation. Courtesy of W South Beach
The newly renovated AWAY Spa spans a whopping 9,540 square feet. The spa lounge has a tea bar, snacks, and fruit. There’s also an outdoor basking terrace and eucalyptus-infused limestone steam showers.
With seven treatment rooms and one-on-one fitness training, hanging out here can easily keep you happy all day. My nourishing massage hit all the knots in my shoulder, neck, and back.
For facials, the spa offers hydrafacials and urban anti-pollution and anti-stress facials. Couples’ massages and body treatments are also on offer.
The spa offers a curated menu of advanced treatments led by expert practitioners. Courtesy of W South Beach
If you’re looking for one of the most luxurious hotels on South Beach, with jaw-dropping views and a true resort experience in Miami, Florida, this is it.
For more information and to book the hotel, visit their website or call 305-938-3000. Follow on Instagram @wsouthbeach
[Photos courtesy of W South Beach]
Helen I. Hwang is an award-winning journalist, author, and mechanical engineer. Her works have appeared in The New York Times for Kids, Eater San Diego, People Magazine, Parents.com, Trip Advisor, Huffington Post, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine,TravelSavvy.com, and other publications. She has also written a book, titled All Grown Up: Please Touch Museum and Its Move to Memorial Hall, for the Please Touch Museum, a children's museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition, Helen worked as a researcher for the Peabody Award-winning NPR radio program, Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Over the years, she's lived on three continents and traveled to more than 40 countries. She currently lives in San Diego, CA, the 16th place she's called home. More about her can be found at helenihwang.com.