The Standard Spa Miami Beach

Miami

Discovered by the Spanish in the 16^th century and then frequented by entrepreneurs from the Bahamas, Miami, at the southern tip of mainland Florida, is a multicultural city. In 1884, when Charles and Isabella Peacock came from England and opened a hotel in Coconut Grove, the region attracted fishermen, American industrialists and European nobility.

With the arrival of the railroad and the construction of Miami’s first luxury hotel, the Royal Palm, the city became a tourist beach resort. Its success caused Miami to extend its boundaries, and the city added a number of urban centers including Miami Beach, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, some of which became cities in their own right. This was the case of Miami Beach, created in 1913 when the bridge connecting it to the mainland was built. With its elegant buildings, celebrity villas, tanned bimbos and muscle bound Latinos, it possesses all the clichés that come to mind when talking about Miami. Nevertheless, it possesses the only neighborhood in the United States to be given the title of National Historic Landmark. The Art Deco district, built in the 1930s along the beach, runs through South Beach from Lincoln Avenue to Fifth Street and is characterized by its series of hotels, villas and other buildings in the Tropical Art Deco style.

Facing this quarter, in Biscayne Bay, a number of small islands saw the light of day when the Collins Bridge was built. They are now the refuge of billionaires and luxury waterfront hotels.

A Scandinavian spa in the tropics

From a rocky terrain covered with mangrove when Collins began to work on it in 1913, Belle Island has become a luxurious residential area. It’s here that The Standard Hotel opened it doors. Connected to South Beach by a bridge, it is near Lincoln road and the Art Deco District. Located in the former Lido Spa built in 1957, it belongs to talented designer, André Balazs whose specialty is bringing former legendary hotels back to life.

We enter the building via a very large Scandinavian style hall. White marble and vintage Danish furniture set the tone of simplicity and chic design. The same atmosphere exists in the rooms with a very pure, almost bare looking décor with light color wood floors, furniture and shutters, white wood ceiling beams, Egyptian cotton sheets and soft down quilts. The contemporary Scandinavian design invokes a more sophisticated version of classic brands of Swedish furniture. The ceiling fan is the only reminder that we are in a tropical region. The very comfortable bathrooms with large stall showers continue outdoors onto a teak patio where a large bathtub enables guests to relax and enjoy the tropical breezes.

One of the hotel’s most notable jewels is its spa, one of the most beautiful in Miami and South Beach. Water here is highlighted by a minimalist décor. A hammam, mud baths, treatment and relaxation rooms make the spa extremely popular with the “beautiful people” of South Beach or So-Be to the initiated. Facing the ocean and overlooking the bay of Key Biscayne, a superb infinity swimming pool with whirlpool and cascading bath complete this water-oriented paradise.

After a soothing bath, it’s time to visit the fantasy filled garden with art deco statues, chaise lounges and futons on which guests can lie in the shade of the palm trees. And if they prefer the sunshine, the solarium is at their disposition where, free from curious eyes, it’s authorized to remove both top…and bottom.

The most celebrated island for billionaires is Star Island. It only has about 20 villas of which the most expensive are worth between 30 and 40 million dollars. Basketball star Shaquille O’Neal and singer Julio Iglesias have their vacation homes here.