Modern Boutique Hotel with International Flair


Tiffany stained-glass windows cast light on a mini rotunda studded with columns in the majestic lobby of Mayfair Hotel & Spa. Outside, a dramatic façade with Amazonian ironwood trim and Brazilian mahogany doors stands amid blooming asian gardens. Noted architect Kenneth Treister drew from worldwide travels to design this internationally influenced boutique hotel in Miami's posh Coconut Grove area, whose character reflects the colorful cosmopolitan spirit of Miami.

The luxurious Rooftop Cabana Club further exemplifies the South Florida lifestyle. You can relax by the water with a cocktail by day and party at night. Bartenders serve tropical drinks from a teakwood bar, and a fireplace glows against the backdrop of Biscayne Bay. After sunset, DJs spin tunes as guests cut a rug or relax on L-shaped sofas set opposite flat-screen TVs in the private cabanas.

The hotel's suites are decked out in Brazilian wood furnishings and bold art-deco accents. In the morning, natural light floods through windows that look out onto the skyline and nearby tree-lined paths. You can unwind by taking a soak in the in-room jacuzzi or the roman spa bath in the spacious marble bathroom.

Further opportunities for relaxation can be found at the onsite Jurlique Spa. In sunny treatment rooms, staff members administer soothing services such as body wraps infused with organic ingredients harvested in Australia. Head to the candlelit Spartico bar and pizzeria, where chefs sprinkle pizzas with creative toppings such as smoked salmon or figs and honey before baking them in a wood-fired oven imported from Milan.

Miami's Coconut Grove: Vibrant Arts Scene and Natural Treasures Close to Beaches and Nightlife


Tucked between Biscayne Bay and Coral Gables, Coconut Grove is just a few miles from palm-lined beaches and downtown Miami. Though Coconut Grove has gone upscale in recent decades, the neighborhood maintains ties to its eccentric, bohemian roots. Wild peacocks strut through the parks, and modern art galleries still dot the tree-lined streets. Just steps from Mayfair Hotel & Spa, window shoppers and door salesmen can weave through three stories of brand-name clothing boutiques and other shops at the open-air mall at CocoWalk. The nearby Peacock Park features a walking bridge where you can catch glimpses of stingrays and manatees.

A short jaunt to the northeast brings travelers to the Renaissance-style Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. At this historical estate, mazes and an orchidarium showcase natural treasures, and antique furniture and colorful art collections decorate the interior. Come nightfall, Mayfair guests can sample the area’s nightlife scene, where live calypso music blasts from speakers at outdoor bars. Those eager for a livelier experience can make a beeline to South Beach's pulsating nightclubs, located just a short cab ride away. Local DJs keep energy levels pumping past 5 a.m.

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