By Rebecca Wallwork
THE GOODTIME GURU
Pharrell Williams has an uncanny knack for delivering just what people are looking for—before they even know it themselves—and it’s in this spirit that the producer/entrepreneur extraordinaire brings The Goodtime Hotel (601 Washington Ave., Miami Beach) to South Beach in 2021. More than just a hotel, this sprawling hospitality hub on Washington Avenue pairs 226 guest rooms with retail, a recording studio, an outdoor workout space, a splashy restaurant and lounge, and a third-floor pool deck. Both Williams and partners Eric Birnbaum and David Grutman, of LIV and Story nightclubs, and Komodo, Swan, Papi Steak and Planta restaurants fame, know a thing or two about hits, so expect the cinematic, lushly designed Goodtime to be all over your Instagram feed. thegoodtimehotel.com
REFRESH AND RENEW
In South Beach, two one-time temples of more hedonistic days have just emerged from top-to-toe renovations: Mondrian South Beach (1100 West Ave., Miami Beach,) debuts the bayfront Baia Beach Club, an open-air living room space for guests and members. The relaxed tropical-modern design features raw organic timber, billowing shades and handmade macramé accents. Meanwhile, W South Beach (2201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach) has unveiled a new look that transforms its rooms into upscale beach retreats, refreshed its museum-quality art collection and added the chic Away Spa, featuring minimalist design, cellphone sleeping bags and a couples’ massage followed by a eucalyptus-infused steam shower with exfoliating rich mud treatment.
Other hotels boosting their wellness credentials include: Carillon Miami Wellness Resort (6801 Collins Ave., Miami Beach), where long-term guests can upgrade their one-bedroom apartment by adding a standing desk with treadmill or fitness bike, and The Palms Hotel & Spa (3025 Collins Ave., Miami Beach), which recently added PHI-Cell in-duct air purification to every guest room A/C system—the technology uses high-intensity UV light in an all-natural approach to sanitizing. Finally, SLS South Beach (1701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach) and SLS Brickell (1300 S. Miami Ave., Miami) are keeping pace as we all adjust our fitness regimes for the WFH lifestyle—guests of both hotels can now sweat like stars with virtual one-on-one in-room training by DOGPOUND, the fitness studio known for keeping celebs like Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift in shape.
FRESH AIR AND CLEAN EATS
Fans of Soho Beach House’s exclusivity and the Broken Shaker’s backyard vibe will love the 1 Beach Club (2341 Collins Ave., Miami Beach) newly opened at the 1 Hotel. Even if you don’t opt for the $4,000+ yearly membership, you can head up to the Tulum-inspired bar for weekend golden-hour cocktails or enjoy brunch with your toes in the sand at Wave, the club’s spacious outdoor restaurant specializing in sea-to-table cuisine.
Fresh fish also anchors Chef Michael Mina’s latest concept in Aventura, Ornos Estiatorio (19565 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 946, Aventura). The restaurant, with its large patio and dishes that evoke the Greek Isles, is also home to South Florida’s first fish sommelier.
Margot at Nikki Beach (1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach) carves out a slice of Nikki Beach’s oceanfront expanse to create a casually festive, socially distanced place to enjoy natural wines by the glass or bottle, along with a menu of small plates. Initially a pop-up concept from BarLab founders Elad Zvi and Gabe Orta along with partners Seth Browarnik and Josh Wagner, Margot has earned a permanent home on the sand just off Ocean Drive.
In the Design District’s Palm Court Plaza MIA Market (140 NE 39th St., Suite 241) —the chef-driven food hall formerly known as St. Roch Market—welcomes a slate of new eateries this winter, including Osom Crepes, a crêperie with savory and sweet creations.
On-the-go wellness becomes even easier with a fifth outpost of Pura Vida, the beloved cafe with an all-day breakfast menu, featuring fresh and incredibly tasty organic, gluten-free and vegan fare. (959 West Ave., #10, Miami Beach)