The Raleigh Hotel

Miami

Considered as one of the largest beach resorts in the world, Miami is famous for its tropical climate, its torrid nightlife, its palm trees and turquoise sea, its elegant buildings and its varied neighborhoods. This small city of planters until the end of the 19^th century has, throughout the 20^th century, welcomed waves of refugees from Cuba as of 1959, followed more recently by immigrants from Haiti, Mexico, Colombia and Argentina. The city has adopted a number of the customs, traditions and even the language of these communities. Spanish is now spoken as frequently as English.

This multicultural city has spread out over the years and several urban areas have become cities in their own right. This is the case of Miami Beach, created in 1913 when the bridge connecting the bay to the land was built. With its elegant buildings, celebrity villas, tanned bathing beauties and bimbos and its muscle bound Latinos, it combines all the clichés of Miami into one small city. Miami Beach also has the largest art deco quarter in the world. Located in the southern part of the town, South Beach, or So-Be to the initiated, the Art Deco district is famous the world over for its buildings and houses with pastel facades, its fancy limousines and its trendy bars. After strolling up and down Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road, Collins, or Washington Avenue in the cool evening air, one is convinced that despite its image of ostentation, wealth and glitz, Miami Beach also possesses a rich historical heritage.

An art deco treasure

Nicknamed one of the great ladies of art deco by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, The Raleigh is one of Miami Beach’s architectural treasures that survived the city’s golden age. Located on the legendary Collins Avenue, facing the ocean, it has imposed itself as an art deco masterpiece among all the other buildings in So-Be.

Placed in the capable hands of André Balazs, a master in the art of bringing legendary hotels back to life, The Raleigh, originally the work of the talented Murray Dixon, was totally restored. Tastefully modernized, it has preserved its, warm, glamorous and chic style and its status as an art deco icon. Terrazzo floors, period furniture and black and white photographs add a sophisticated touch to each room and blend harmoniously with the highly contemporary elements of comfort like the flat screen television.

The highlight of the hotel is the Esther Williams suite, named after the swimming champion who became a Hollywood star. It’s an elegant and refined art deco masterpiece.

The terrace of The Raleigh’s restaurant, ideally situated in the middle of a tropical garden, is considered one of the most pleasant spots in Miami Beach, and the famous swimming pool is one of the most beautiful in the world. After a stroll on Lincoln Road, enjoying the ocean and the magnificent pastel colored villas of So-Be, there’s nothing better than having a drink at the Martini Bar. Whether standing at the wooden counter, or seated on one of the 1930s bar stools, guests are immersed in the golden age of Miami Beach.

Since 1947, The Raleigh’s swimming pool has been voted America’s most beautiful by several travel magazines. Esther Jane Williams, the celebrated swimming champion and Hollywood actress known for her musical comedies which included swimming ballets, contributed to the prestige of the pool in which numerous scenes from her films were shot.