The Betsy South Beach, Miami

_Location: This beautiful colonial-style hotel can be foundsmack bang in the middle of Miami’s Art Deco District on Ocean Drive. It liesjust a short amble away from South Beach, where the hotel has a dedicated areaof sun loungers exclusively for use by guests.

_{First impressions:} Seeing the bright white façade of thishistoric-looking hotel instantly made me smile. It certainly stands out in thecrowd, with the majority of Miami hotels either located within huge steel andglass clad high- rise buildings or dated art deco-inspired structures coveredwith neon lights.

The family-owned The Betsy oozescool andsophistication and it’s even a popular among locals – the sign of a truly greathotel. Locals come here in droves for a spot of people watching and al frescodinning in the street-level veranda at the front of the property. Havingbreakfast and watching roller skaters zooming along the beach is a wonderfulway to start the day.

Art and design is key here and the owners organise revolvingphotography and art exhibitions. Writers, poetsand novelists are often invited tousethehotel’s writer’s room – and with photographs of famous faces dotted around anda huge library space,the property is a haven for thoseseekinginspiration.

_{The facts:} Part of The Small Luxury Hotels of the Worldcollection, the property is split into two themed sections. The first is theclassical colonial wing, which faces South Beach and is where the Betsy RossHotel, as it was originally known, was built in 1942. The second wing is artdeco- inspired and has been added followinga merger with the neighbouring CartonHotel on Collins Avenue. The hotel has 58 rooms in the colonial wing, including19 suites, and the art deco wing has 70 rooms and suites. Across the two you’llfind two restaurants, a super-cool rooftop pool, a library and an events space.

_{A good base for:} If you want to explore Miami it’s great,though you could quite easily stay close to home at The Betsy because prettymuch everything is within a five-minute walk. Before you head off exploringother restaurants in the city – be sure to check out the LT Steak & Seafoodrestaurant and newly opened Poeti, a trattoria-style Italian eaterie.

_Wow: The hotel’s rooftop space is a sanctuary of relaxation.One side of the hotel boasts a rooftop bar and spa area – the only outdoor spain the city – while the other wing has a rooftop pool – the perfect sunspot toget away from the crowds on South Beach. There’s also a shaded pool area on theground floor for those not keen on lapping up the sunshine.

Hollie-Rae Brader