Raleigh Hotel – South Beach Miami Hotel Experience at the Raleigh

Wow, another crazy trip to South Beach Miami – is there any other kind? Just a few quick notes, first, about the Raleigh Hotel, and in the next post, about the Salsa Dancing in South Beach.

Before I start, let me say, I am a hotel connoisseur (and snob). I live at Four Seasons, Ritz, and Fairmont’s of the world, and I travel to the finest spas and crazy over-the-top getaways from Napa to the Amalfi Coast. In short, I know good service, and I really, really, know hotels.

I’ve stayed at a great many top end hotels in South Beach, such as the Ritz, Shore Club, Loews, etc … Each hotel was pretty good, but never in my South Beach experiences have I stayed in such a hotel like the one this past trip.

Never was I treated to such an … authentic … South Beach Experience.

The Raleigh Hotel in South Beach was fantastic, from check in to dining to the bar to the pool, it was a stand out in understated service, and a real South Beach Miami feel. While people rave about the Shore Club parties and pool, or the Delano bar and outside area, if you are going for understated, relaxing, true South Beach coolness – I say the dining and drinks at the Raleigh simply can’t be beat.  I’ve rarely felt so hip and in the know – it’s a hidden gem.

Let me go step by step:

Reception: Everything was cool and relaxed (it’s South Beach). The check in was warm, helpful, quick, east.They use REGULAR keys (real metal keys).

Lobby and Bar Area:  Comfy, and understated. Nothing compared to Loews towering lobbies or waiting area, but it really works. This feels SO much more South Beach and Miami than some of the other hotels!

The Rooms: Ok, truth time. Beds were great. Views (from my window) were non existent. Bathrooms were small, but again – this wasn’t luxury living. This was a rustic South Beach feel, and the rooms delivered. The lack of door on the shower was hysterical, but would flood the bathroom upon any shower. That wasn’t that great.  The walls were also a bit on the thin side. I could see this detracting from some people’s stay, but certainly not mine!

The Pool and Restaraunt: Outstanding, romantic, and downright incredible relaxing. The pool area is great, the restaurant serves excellent food (service can be spotty at times, but was excellent for our grand dinner) and the pool is large, has multiple bars, and a waterfall, and is surrounded by (of course) palm trees.

The Bar: Did I save the best for last? Yes! The bar is the best bar in South Beach. It’s totally unique, and hands down has the best drinks I’ve ever had in South Beach (or really, in most parts of the world). Hand crafted concoctions of alcoholic excellence. The bars are very chill and understated, no crazy pick up scene or loud blaring bad music, but there’s both an outdoor and indoor bar, and they are both fantastic. Wow!

Truth be told, the greatest recommendation I can give the Raleigh Hotel is that, when I next visit Miami, I’ll be back. No, not for its luxury trappings, or for its massive high tech rooms (it fails in both regards), but rather for its simple charm.

My price at the Raleigh, for a street room view, was $200.

In the next post, we'll be talking about South Beach SALSA DANCING!