Viceroy Hotel

Nov

Lifestyle

Viceroy Hotel

Among the many downtown offerings in Miami, we have the Kelly Wearstler designed Viceroy Hotel. The Hotel has a distinctly urban vibe and a hip waterfront flair. It takes good advantage of its coastal location with water views at every turn, and offers a city-in-the-sky experience from the 50th-floor pool and bar, a 28,000-square-foot spa and gym and a two-acre outdoor playground with the longest infinity pool in Florida.

The Review

Since opening in 2009, the Viceroy Hotel has set Miami’s downtown hotel standard: The steel and glass tower is a fortress of style and entertainment, from its rooftop bars and pools to an incredible spa and Kelly Wearstler–designed rooms.

Each of the 162 rooms projects a modern Miami vibe, with daring interiors decked out in oversized lamps, patent leather chairs, four-poster beds and mint-green carpets and bed throws. Paintings of great egrets add old-Hollywood glamour, but function is not lost amid fashion: Rooms have discrete kitchenettes, coffee bars and large bathrooms.

The 15th floor is the epicenter of the hotel’s hip scene, with 200 chaise chairs, 12 cabanas and trees lining a 300-foot pool — the longest infinity pool in Florida. Inside, the small café has lovely whimsical touches like a glass fireplace, an oversized chessboard and a thermal hot pool that seats 50 people, and serves simple snacks and light lunches.

Viceroy guests also have access giant wellness center. The spa is another Wearstler masterpiece; a huge canary yellow glass chandelier hangs over a series of marble pools in a two-story space with dark wood bookshelves lined with white tomes. There are 10 treatment rooms and spa services range from the expected (the Paradise, a 60-minute Swedish massage) to the decadent (a 120-minute Masterpiece treatment that includes a body exfoliation, massage and facial). The gym is a personal favorite for its photo-rendered wall murals and oversized vases, state-of-the-art equipment and views of the water and neighboring skyscrapers.

After working up an appetite, head to Eos restaurant for a meal from star chef Michael Psilakis. Dishes such as the Fonduta (sharp Pecorino cheese paired with honey and hazelnuts and served on pita bread) or a risotto with lobster, saffron, tomato and caviar are fresh and inventive, as is the vibrant space, with red whicker and black lacquered chairs. After dinner, zip up to Club 50 in the Viceroy Tower’s 50th floor, a bar and pool lounge with a small garden, ivy wall and those sweeping city views.

What we love

The hotel is in downtown Miami, about 15 minutes from South Beach

The Viceroy is a part of the 10-acre Icon Brickell complex, which also has a marina, parks and outdoor jogging trails

What to do

Dine – Don’t miss the first U.S. location of Zuma, a five-minute walk from the hotel, known for its artful Japanese cuisine, waterfront tables and 40 sake varieties.

Eat – A mural by artist Michelle Rojas and polished concrete floors are two design highlights at the Brasserie at City Hall Restaurant, serving up beachy comfort foods such as tilapia burgers.

Watch – If it’s raining, curl up on one of the long royal blue couches in the Viceroy’s movie theater, located next to the spa.

Visit – The New World Symphony is a stunning performance space designed by architect Frank Gehry.