An urban oasis, worlds away from the hustle and bustle of South Beach, the Mayfair Hotel & Spa creates a tropical air of romanticism just steps from the “Grove,” as it’s known among those who favour and frequent it. As Miami’s tucked-away treasure, the Grove is known for funky art galleries, sidewalk cafes and sunset sailing on Biscayne Bay; one of the world’s most beautiful sailing bays.In 1985, the Grove’s masterful collaboration of the arts, architecture and society enticed architect Ken Treister to build the Mayfair Hotel & Spa, in which he combined the best features from the finest hotel in the world – from Claridges in London to Raffles in Singapore – in one sensuous, sophisticated place. The result is an extraordinary, cosmopolitan sharing of architectural influences and interior furnishings worldwide, most notably that of Antoni Gaudi. Round walls, blue-painted copper, bas-relief concrete sculptures and orchid-filled atriums embellish the art-infused hotel. Each guest suite is uniquely styled, featuring hand-carved mahogany doors and Japanese-style hot tubs on private patios.
Guests enter the Mayfair Hotel & Spa through a single door of richly carved mahogany wood from Honduras, setting the intimate tone inside. Rooms are organized on three floors around two open-to-the-sky atria landscaped with greenery and a Persian water garden of cascades and fountains. Each of the 179 suites is an artistic haven in itself, named for tropical birds and flowers from Viburnum and Jasmine to Ibis and Starling. Hand-carved mahogany doors reflect the suite’s theme as it ushers guests within. Odd-shaped walls surround bedrooms with elaborately carved headboards and separate sitting areas. Modelled after the private gardens in Japanese inns; soaking tubs overlooking trellises of ironwood from the Amazon grace every suite terrace behind the hotel’s bougainvillea-draped façade.
The hotel’s artful ambiance also resonates through its restaurant and lounge. Situated on the rooftop of the legendary Mayfair Hotel & Spa, the Rooftop Pool & Cabana Lounge is the vision of New York public relations guru Ron Berkowitz and New York restaurateur Josh Lebowitz. Enticing guests with panoramic views of Biscayne Bay partnered with Gaudi-inspired design and an unpretentious ambiance, the Rooftop is a chic, tropical escape from the hustle and bustle of South Beach. Among the 7,000 square feet of space, a floating cabana roof, teak & bubinga wood comprise the bar area while a serpentine bench built into the parapet winds around a fire feature and billowing white curtains enclose eight private cabanas with L-shaped sofas and flat screen TVs.
With 10,000 square feet of uncommonly creative function space – featuring waves of windows and sky-lit ballrooms – the hotel is ideal for small to large meetings, grand receptions and catered social events. The Crystal Ballroom welcomes up to 350 guests with floor-to-ceiling windows and spectacular views of the orchid garden while the Palm Terrace boasts an intimate setting surrounded by chaise lounges and lush greenery.
