South Beach style

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16 MARCH 2005
It’s known for its sun, sea and superstar holidaymakers – so which of the glamorous new hotels and bars in this Miami hotspot should you head for this year?

Only 20 years ago it was a no-go area, but now Miami’s South Beach, at Florida’s southeastern tip, is one of the world’s most fashionable holiday destinations.

Every bit as glamorous as it looks on TV, it’s a hit with Britney Spears and Cameron Diaz, who love the year-round sunshine, miles of white sand, world-class shopping and legendary nightlife. But the scene changes rapidly, so it pays to keep tabs on what’s hot and happening.

Hot new hotels
Hotels are a key part of the South Beach party scene – the bars at Ian Schrager’s Delano and the Skybar at his funky Shore Club, modelled on Yves Saint Laurent’s Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech, are two of the most fashionable hangouts in town – so new arrivals are eagerly anticipated.

Hotel Victor on Ocean Drive has just opened its doors and is already regenerating the fortunes of this famous beachfront strip lined with swaying palm trees and pastel Art Deco gems.

Minimalist the Victor isn’t – bold and opulent, with a jellyfish tank in the lobby, an ocean-view pool that becomes a VIP lounge at night and a Turkish spa, this is set to be a bona fide hotspot.

This spring also sees the long-awaited full opening of the Setai, an Asian-inspired hotel that is offering serenity and calm on busy Collins Avenue. Set by the beach in tropical gardens, it has already opened a spa and three pools, but it’s the forthcoming champagne, crustacean and caviar bar that will no doubt become a magnet for well-heeled locals.

Nearby, the Sagamore – a shrine to minimalism and a favourite of celebrities including Kate Moss and P Diddy – is still impressive, with its dazzling white lobby that doubles as a gallery. The pool, surrounded by white sunloungers and glamorous guests topping up their tans, is a prime location for fashion shoots.

Restored glories
For those who want to experience some of the fabulous Art Deco architecture first hand, why not stay in it? The Ritz-Carlton opened just over a year ago in the former DiLido Hotel. Many of its original features - created in 1953 by Morris Lapidus, the late US architect famous for his extravagant designs - were retained.

The DiLido Beach Club is the only restaurant actually on the ocean front and the Ritz-Carlton also claims another first with its famous tanning butlers. Yes really – devoted flunkies who’ll take care of all those hard-to-reach bits for you.

Back on Ocean Drive, boutique hotel The Tides - a favourite of Ben Affleck, Paris Hilton and Jennifer Lopez - is still one of the most elegant and impressive Art Deco buildings. All its rooms have sea views, the decor is minimalist, modern and white; the vivid blue of the ocean providing the only splash of colour. There’s a chic pool deck and bar and the restaurant, 1220 at The Tides, is a destination in its own right.

All these hotels are right on South Beach which offers miles of relatively uncrowded white sand dotted with colourful lifeguard stations and a wooden boardwalk popular with joggers. It’s the perfect spot to see all the weird and wonderful sights the area has to offer.