HotelChatter

Poolside
The hotel's assets are spare but used effectively -- a modest pool, for instance, becomes attractive with a simple infinity edge that cuts to a view of Biscayne Bay with downtown Miami just behind. A man-made beach, always a dodgy prospect, actually feels cute and well-planned with the use of beach furniture, including elevated lounge mattresses (these, alas, must be rented at extra cost).

Room Dirt
The principal impression of suaveness in the hotel comes from the layout of the rooms, which include a great jet tub in the middle of the room. This bathroom can be concealed from the rest by a rice paper screen. Open, there's a spacious unclutteredness to the layout; partially closed, it adds a visual Japanese flair. Allowing guests to create their own environments is an underutilized idea in hotels. It won over this guest.

The Service
Upon check-in at the Mandarin I immediately paid attention to management, to see how things ran here. While it may seem obvious, I'm finding more and more that the first two minutes can determine everything about how the rest of my stay will go. For instance, I've found the number and the tone of valet and bell attendants to be a reliable indicator of what's to come. At the Mandarin, my time at the car was brief. I wanted to get inside the hotel, and I was allowed to move quickly - I was greeted by my name though I hadn't mentioned it. How did they know? The bellman spotted it from a previous tag on my bag. Your name, drawn from thin air: what could make you feel more anticipated?

Where Everyone Knows Your Name
My name was also subtly relayed inside and, as I was directed toward the lobby, I noticed two stately women watching over the proceedings - I wasn't sure exactly what they were doing, but it gave me an instant feeling that this is how things were going to be here: cared over by responsible, service-minded adults.

As I learned later, all hotel managers here do daily duty in dealing directly with guests. It's a sharp idea. Except for one occasion, service was superb, by which I mean gracefully polite, attuned to anticipate requests, and the created sensibility that the guest - as hinted at by the details of my welcome - is treated with respect and subtle deference. (The exception was at dinner, when only a second request - a delay exacerbated by hunger pains - produced menus. The quality of the food ameliorated the memory.)

Helping You Live a Life of Leisure
Probably more than any downtown Miami hotel, the Mandarin serves leisure guests - as opposed to business guests, though it definitely serves both -- drawn by its spa, reputation, noted restaurants Café Sambal and Azul, and slightly more rarified setting on man-made Brickell Key. The island is just a stone's throw form two excellent other choices on Brickell Avenue, the Conrad and the Four Seasons (which I reviewed here last week).

Each of these hotels approaches its customer from a slightly different angle. Each has a unique personality. The Mandarin continues to stake out a unique A-game on a tranquil experience and comfort of its setting, interiors, and guest rooms.

What's Next
Tomorrow I'll tell you about where I stayed this weekend: The new Regent South Beach and an old master, the Fisher Island Club.

Tags: Miami Hotel Reviews / Luxury Hotels

by Michael de Zayas