A Chic Retreat

By Lisa Loverro

If you like immaculate rooms, three outdoor pools with varied temperatures and a hotel that has been referred to as one of the "Sexiest Hotels In America," then get online and book a room at the beautiful Setai Hotel in South Beach. Be warned, all this sexiness doesn't come cheap but it's worth every penny as this hotel shines above the rest. Throw in unbeatable service and a beach club that caters to your every need and you'll be hard pressed to find any other hotel comparable in the area.

The Setai is located just north of the crowded Ocean Drive scene (which is a big plus in our book) and has direct beach access. It's ultra chic with an Asian-inspired meets Art Deco design concept. It even houses a rooftop recording studio designed by Lenny Kravitz, and if this isn't enough to entice you to book a room ASAP, we don't know what would.

The grounds of the property are immaculately manicured with palm trees surrounding the three temperature-controlled pools and a spotless stretch of beach that never seems to get as crowded as the beach just to the south. It's an international scene that flocks to this hotel that caters to families, singles and business travelers.
Inside the walls of this landmark structure that was originally erected in the mid 1930's, The Setai offers a calm oasis with dark colors (surprising, but it works). The color scheme evokes Indonesian and Asian tones complimented with dark polished woods. In fact, there are bricks imported from Shanghai, teak from Burma and a bronze Balinese fireplace in the hotel's lobby. There is an open bath plan in the rooms, and most accommodations are very spacious.

There is a new spa at the hotel, The Spa at The Setai by THÉMAÉ, with specially formulated products and treatments inspired by the art of tea. The Spa features four private spa suites with ocean and pool views, perfect for a romantic couple's treatment.

"The Restaurant" at The Setai invites you to experience an entirely new menu, with flavors offering cuisines and traditional flavors of Europe's "Sun Coast," inclusive of the Mediterranean regions of Spain, Italy, the South of France and Provence. There is a Sunday Jazz Brunch which seems to be one of the hottest venues in town for the foodie scene. Their Executive Chef, Mathias Gervals serves up tasty dishes with complimentary Tattinger Champagne and Bloody Marys, along with some unbeatable smooth jazz music. The Setai Grill's team offers an Asian inspired "East meets West" steakhouse along with small bites. Their dry-aged beef is sourced from Pat LaFrieda & Son in New York City. The "Bar & Courtyard" becomes a smooth and chic sophisticated destination offering Asian small plates and a wide variety of global wines, champagnes and cognacs. There is a DJ that spins here every Wednesday turning the place into one of the coolest places in town. The Setai is by far one of the most sought after hotels in South Beach and a highly recommended spot for the perfect vacation in the sun.

For more information:
thesetaihotel.com