The Palms Hotel & Spa, a Green Globe-certified luxury hotel, situated on the northern end of Miami’s fashionable South Beach, has become a vacation resort for discerning travelers who seek the comforts of an eco-chic luxury hotel with a clean, laid-back approach. With Miami Beach’s famed Art Basel right around the corner (December 1-3), showcasing contemporary artworks by established and newly emerging artists, this is a see-and-be-seen event that can be best enjoyed at The Palms.
The Palms Hotel & Spa is a serene and tropical destination complete with all the amenities of a large hotel with a boutique-style feel. Built by renowned Art Deco architect Roy F. France, The Palms originally opened its door as the Sea Isle Hotel in 1941. It was purchased by its current owners, The Krause Family, in 1989. In the following years, the family continued to modernize and re-position the property, culminating in a 2010 re-launch as The Palms Hotel & Spa. The hotel remains one of the few independently owned and operated full-service hotels on Miami Beach.
Built in a tropical Art Deco style, the hotel is a timeless, warm, and laid-back destination marked by vibrant decor and colonial design reminiscent of the islands. The hotel welcomes a sophisticated, international, well-traveled group of guests including families, corporate groups and wedding parties. With an experienced multi-cultural staff and European management style, The Palms’ team creates a friendly, non-pretentious atmosphere, enticing many guests to return time and again.
If you’re booking an upcoming trip to Miami, here’s what you can expert at The Palms Hotel & Spa.
Wellness and Nature-Inspired
Nature and wellness are infused into every aspect of the hotel from its decor to its cuisine and spa. The tropical climate, exotic gardens, marine life and dune vegetation all influence the hotel’s decor and ambiance. Natural and local products are used wherever possible, and many furnishings feature patterns and colors inspired by the environment surrounding the property. The Palms is committed to preserving the environment through a comprehensive sustainability program, and a dedicated hotel Green Team, and promotes total wellness through its culinary and spa offerings.
Dining
Prepare to enjoy a natural gourmet dining experience at Essensia. Featuring an intimate indoor dining room, a large Caribbean-style covered terrace and a breezy poolside terrace, Essensia Restaurant’s natural gourmet cuisine embraces the true essence of the local cuisine with its unique-to-Miami multi-cultural ingredients. Caribbean and Latin influences are incorporated into every dish, drawing inspiration from Miami’s uniquely blended culture. The restaurant follows a farm-to-table philosophy with an emphasis on premium local and sustainable ingredients.
Start your happy hour off with Essentia Lounge’s best-selling, signature drink – the Essentia Mule ($14), made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Fresh Lime, Muddled English Cucumbers, Jalapeno Peppers, Ginger Puree and Soda Water. The combined flavors are delicious and deceptively refreshing with a hint of spice, all beautifully presented in a copper Moscow Mule.
For an appetizer, the Tuna Poke ($18) is a favorite among hotel guests and is a spicy blend of fresh marinated Pacific Yellowfin Tuna, Edamame, Cucumber, Scallions, Ginger, and Soy. Try it with the crispy potato chips served at the bar for a delicious combination of flavors.
The Islander Bouillabaisse is Essentia’s signature dish and is a delicious blend of mixed seafood, including shrimp, mussels and fresh fish, in a fragrant island-style Tomato Coconut curry, served with Tostones and Jasmine Rice. Leave room for Essentia’s signature dessert, a traditional Puerto Rican Flancacho – made with Flan custard over chocolate cake, served with mini cinnamon churros, mango, pistachio dust, and oreo cookie crumb!
Don’t miss out on Essentia’s buffet breakfast, which is as diverse as the hotel guests it serves. Try a number of the delicious options including a beautifully presented build-your-own parfait station with fresh fruit, a choice of plain or vanilla yogurt, and tropical fruit compote.
Pool
The resort-style swimming pool is a refreshing oasis, situated in a relaxed, natural environment among the hotel’s serene, tropical organic gardens, swaying palm trees and ocean breezes. Tropical birds, hammocks, and island music complete the laid-back scene with a stand-alone, poolside Tiki-style, thatched roof bar where guests can mingle and order food and drink from the pool bar menu. I highly recommend the Bistro Burger, made with Certified Angus beef, melted brie, guava rum habanero sauce caramelized onions, and roasted garlic aioli ($17).
Private cabanas with personalized service are located outside just steps from the pool. Tiki Cabanas are furnished with two lounge chairs and table, as well as privacy curtains. (M-Thu, $150)
Beach
Guests can also enjoy The Palms’ prime beachfront location featuring lounges, sun umbrellas, beach toys, volleyball and food and beverage service. Private Beachfront Cabanitas with personalized service is also available for daily rental, just steps away from The Palm’s Hotel pool. I highly recommend the “Spa. Spice. Sun.” promotion, where guests can combine one of the hotel spa’s luxurious treatments with a Miami Spice Lunch at Essensia and receive a half-day usage of a beach cabanita for two. (Reservations needed; 305-908-5460 or [email protected])
Spa
The hotel’s Aveda lifestyle spa is a 5,000-square-foot facility, featuring holistic treatments and rituals that deliver a highly personalized experience to pamper and relax with natural and botanically delivered Aveda products. The spa includes access to the hotel’s tropical gardens and one-of-a-kind pool and beach area. The holistic approach to the spa fully subscribes to the brand’s wellness mission “to care for the world we live in” by offering extraordinary treatments and services in an environment where beauty works in harmony with “the greater web of life and with nature.”
Fitness & Wellness Initiatives
The Palms Hotel & Spa promotes many fitness and wellness initiatives including energizing Vinyasa yoga sessions for all levels on Sunday mornings in the garden or Tiki area and sunset yoga on the beach on Thursdays. Several times per year the hotel sponsors community runs (call hotel for schedule), and they bring in fitness gurus from the area once a month for guests to enjoy ( in-season weekly or bi-weekly).
