Review: Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Last month, we spent three sunny days (and one rainy hour) at Loew’s Miami Beach Hotel, where I hadn’t been for more than 10 years. This oceanfront resort is perfectly located in walkable South Beach, just one block from Lincoln Road, two blocks from the new eateries in Time Out Market, four blocks from the Convention Center and an easy walk north or south to all the must-see shops and dining spots lining Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue.

Grand Ocean Front Balcony Two Double Beds – Loews Miami Beach. Photo: Loews Miami Beach Hotel

The two-tower complex is divided by a landscaped pathway from the entry drive down to the newly revamped pool scape. Lodgings are located in both the original Art Deco St. Moritz building (100 rooms), built in 1939, and the 17-story tower which dates to 1998. In recent years, the entire 790-room (including 67 suites) hotel experienced a stunning $50 million renovation. The entry lobby in the newer building leads to Bar Collins and Preston’s Market — offering an outdoor porch overlooking the pool — and where Elmar made an as-I-like-it omelet for breakfast and Mariza showed me the kids’ buffet, stocked with brightly colored plastic platters for the mini-muffins, mini-sized pancakes and do-it-yourself toppings: colorful sprinkles and chocolate chips.

Kids Buffet. Photo: Loews Miami Beach Hotel

I requested a room in this building because I love a balcony (mine faced south to the St. Moritz and had open views of both the ocean and the city skyline). Our 12th-floor room had two double beds, a comfortable chair and hassock, a long console with a desk, TV and lots of drawer space and shelves. In the entry foyer, an armoire next to the mirror-fronted closet (with safe) houses the mini-fridge, coffee pot and supplies and also contains large drawers. Throughout, there’s USB ports and electrical outlets; plus, complimentary WiFi and 24-hour room service.

The first night, we dined at the hotel’s signature restaurant Lure Fishbar, a Florida outpost of the popular New York seafood destination. It’s a stunning space — complete with fresh fish on ice and ship models — in St. Moritz. Stone crabs, grilled lobster, filet and Key Lime pie were some of our choices on a menu featuring sushi, a raw bar with oysters, and shareable kid-friendly items, such as burgers and fingerling fries.

Loews Loves Families focuses on kids from infants to teens, with The Tween/Teen Supper Club to meet other teens, without parents! The SoBe Kids Club welcomes 4–12-year-olds for full or half-day, plus weekend evening programs. Located in St. Moritz, the indoor facility includes a larger-than-life lifeguard hut, areas for crafts, TV and video games. Plus, they offer adventures, scavenger hunts, treasure dives and less typical activities, such as guided pizza making on Saturdays. During family fun time, parents sip poolside drinks from the Nautilus bar, while SoBe Kids Club hosts complimentary lawn games.

As for pets, Loews charges for the stay ($50), not per night.

The pool is another fun space. Follow a keyed and guarded gate beyond the boardwalk to the beach, with its chaises, umbrellas and water sports, including jet skis and kayaks. Every morning, I walked south on the boardwalk — actually a paved, wide, beautifully landscaped, curved walkway — among strollers, skateboarders and bikers. And I spent one afternoon working on my computer on the shaded porch at SOAK Cabanas and Daybed. There’s a lounge chair on the covered patio; inside, a couch faces a TV and a hidden fridge and there’s a full bathroom with a shower, plus an upper-level sundeck.

SOAK Cabana. Photo: Loews Miami Beach Hotel

One afternoon, I headed to the Exhale Spa, on the lower level of St. Moritz, reached from the elevator via the original pink terrazzo-tiled corridor. The award-winning spa is a sleek minimalistic space with a boutique, 16-treatment rooms, fitness studio with yoga, core fusion and barre classes, and mani-pedi plus hair services for minors. There are lockers in the ladies lounge, along with showers, sauna, steam and whirlpool. I waited in the co-ed Zen lounge before my flow massage.

I can’t wait to return with another family member!