HotelChatter

The Standard Miami sits behind the unassuming facade of the old Lido Spa Hotel. It is an out of the way spot where you are more likely to see the old Jewish women that used to shuffle around the Lido than the young hipsters Balazs is accustomed to attracting to his properties.

How out of the way? The property is on Biscayne Bay, a good ways from Collins, Ocean, and the rest of the South Beach madness. The Standard will offer shuttle service to the Raleigh, her sister property, which is a good thing because walking to the beach from the Standard is not really an option.

However, behind the rickety facade, far from the hustle of Sobe is a lush, unique, spa/hotel getting ready to open.

The property will have around 100 rooms ranging from $150 - $350/night, some with private outdoor living, some with soaking tubs, and some with terraces.

The rooms innards' were designed in the likeness of a scandinavian country home, we were told. To us, they looked like small, clean, airy, smartly designed, Ikea-esque rooms. The amenities are all brand new and include flat screen televisions, new sound systems, and picnic baskets that double as night stands.

Most rooms spill out onto the property grounds, which are absolutely gorgeous. It is amazing what $20 million in renovations can do to a place. There is an infinity pool, where music will play underwater, an arctic plunge pool, and a "hot pool"--the point is to go back and fourth between the three for therapeutic purposes.

The themes of well being and communal living dominate throughout the property. Communal mud baths right out in the open, a yoga lawn, a Hamam, and some sort of European fire hose thing, are all part of the surroundings. The blast of water from this fire hose is suppose to be good for you--somehow. We will hold off judgment on that one until someone tries it out and tells us about it.

The rest of the grounds are outdoor loungey, sure to be complete with nightly fires and what not.

Oh, and in an interesting twist, we hear the Standard is selling "memberships" to locals who will then get to come to the property and use the spa and services.

Smart. A good local buzz would help this place out considerably.

This is one of the most unique hotels we have toured and it will be interesting to see how things go once key cards are handed out to paying guests. Will hipsters go for the whole "communal spa" thing? Time will tell.

Stay tuned, and as always, once you visit the The Standard Miami, let us know what you think.

Related Stories:
·   The Standard Miami Reviews [TripAdvisor]