Highlights: Loews Miami Beach Hotel South Beach

•Contemporary, cosmopolitan ambiance appeals to travelers looking for a hip environment

•Luxurious guest rooms provide fashionable accommodations in Art Deco style

•Fine dining, martini menus boasting more than 240 selections, and live jazz ensembles

•Oceanfront pool features cabana boys and refreshing Evian body spritzes; miles of sandy beaches are perfect for moonlight strolls

•Special attention is paid to kids and pets in the Loews Loves Kids and Loews Loves Pets programs

•More than 65,000 square feet of space for corporate meetings or retreats, and Access Managers specialize in handling all details of small corporate gatherings

•Walking distance from cultural venues as well as Lincoln Road’s pedestrian shopping mall and Ocean Drive’s sidewalk cafes

Amenities: Loews Miami Beach Hotel South Beach

• 790 rooms, 18 story. Pets accepted. Check-in 4 pm, check-out 11 am. High-speed Internet access. 6 restaurants, 4 bars. Children's activity center. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Beach. Outdoor pool, whirlpool. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Loews Miami Beach Hotel South Beach

Located in the heart of Miami’s hip South Beach community, Loews Hotel Miami Beach is a tropical Art Deco-infused resort that’s a perfect choice for family vacationers or for couples who want to be in the center of all the action. The original landmark hotel built in 1939, St. Moritz, is connected to the main hotel by a palm tree-lined corridor and is anchored by world-renowned Emeril’s restaurant. A striking promenade flanked by a large water fountain and landscaped tropical gardens offers guests direct access to the Atlantic Ocean and the hotel’s 20 private luxury cabanas.

The hotel’s entrance area is a dramatic corridor of palm trees opening to a large lobby with stately columns, grand staircases, and shell paintings on the walls. The subtle color palette of soft olive, tan, and white contributes to the contemporary Art Deco motif to create a comfortable and unpretentious ambiance.

Families will be very comfortable at the hotel, with such special amenities for kids as the Loews Loves Kids Program. There is also a unique program that tends to all of a pet’s vacation needs, such as bedding, grooming, and the proper diet.

Business travelers will be well pampered with more than 65,000 square feet of function space for corporate meetings and retreats. Access Managers are designated to help with all details of planning for small meetings.

Getaway travelers will enjoy how the hotel doesn’t lack entertainment opportunities in this world-famous beachfront community, with miles of beaches, historic tours in the nearby Art Deco District, and shopping and dining on world renowned Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road pedestrian promenades. Romantic travelers also can take advantage of the sexy Sobe nightclub scene when they don’t feel like being coupled up in the lush, tropical setting. Loews' concierge staff is knowledgeable to direct guests to their destination, many of which are within walking distance of the hotel’s front door.

The concierges aren’t the only ones who will work hard to accommodate your requests. The hotel staff, overall, is very efficient and hospitable.

The hotel has successfully blended a touch of luxury to a fun-filled vacation for families, and provides romantic accommodations for couples wanting privacy, and a base from which to explore the vibrant South Breach community.

(+) Excellent location in the heart of South Beach; a good choice for families (pets encouraged) and couples or singles seeking action-packed environment

Guest Services: Loews Miami Beach Hotel South Beach

Attention is paid to special service amenities at the Loews Hotel Miami Beach, from the poolside cabana boys assuring guests’ ultimate comfort with a spritz of fresh Evian water and chilled towels, to the in-room services with chenille throws, plush pillows, and mini putting greens.

Guests traveling with pets will appreciate the many special services for four-legged guests, including gourmet room service, specialized bedding, a map of the best dog-walking areas, and a complete list of groomers and veterinarians.

During my stay, the hotel staff was polite and courteous, but sometimes didn’t anticipate my needs. When calling room service for a toothbrush, I wasn’t supplied with toothpaste or mouthwash. Also, upon departure, it took longer than expected for the porter to arrive to assist me with my luggage. Although the front desk was very busy upon departure, baggage service was seamless, and staff remained helpful and attentive to my needs.

(+) Pleasant and accommodating staff, with many special in-room and poolside services

Guest Rooms: Loews Miami Beach Hotel South Beach

Guests staying at Loews Hotel Miami Beach have 790 rooms and suites to choose from, either in the central tower, which offers 690 stylish rooms with contemporary accents, or the 100 boutique suites in the adjoining St. Moritz tower designed with fashionably bold, artistic interiors. The standard suites are well-maintained and soundproof and come with plush amenities. The suites' hip, contemporary-style décor includes a chenille couch, olive-toned walls, and light wood furnishings.

Guest rooms feature Art Deco-inspired décor with fashionable furnishings in either sunny or cool marine colored interiors; all come with stunning ocean or city views.

Bathrooms in the St. Moritz suites feature granite countertops, claw foot tubs, and large separate showers, and the interior walls are painted in soft tones with rare Art Deco artwork. The Super Suite is the space for those who like to be pampered. The luxurious four-bedroom bi-level suite has floor-to-ceiling windows (with electronic-control curtains), a state-of-the-art entertainment system with flat screen TV and Bose surround sound, and an upstairs loft equipped with a desk, high-speed Internet access, and fax capabilities. A luxurious master bath is appointed in marble and granite, and the kitchen comes fully stocked with top-shelf beverages. Another choice for more luxurious accommodations is the Presidential Suite, a two-story space with a glass staircase and a 1,300-square-foot terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

(+) Stylish guest rooms and luxury suites offer top-of-the-line amenities, many with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean

Facilities & Activities: Loews Miami Beach Hotel South Beach

Entertainment at Loews Hotel Miami Beach center primarily on the hotel’s large poolside area with a Jacuzzi; its close proximity to the beaches offers many options for oceanside fun, and staff can help you learn a variety of water sports.

Since this resort hotel is located in the heart of the hustle and bustle of South Beach, guests need only walk out the front door to enjoy any number of cultural and entertainment venues, from fine dining to jazz, which the concierge can assist in arranging. Simply browsing the Art Deco District and strolling along the Lincoln Road pedestrian esplanade offers art galleries, shopping and many sidewalk cafes. People-watching on Ocean Drive is a fun option as well.

Cultural venues are just minutes away, including the Jackie Gleason Theater, Miami City Ballet, Bass Museum of Art, and New World Symphony, while nearby family fun includes a plethora of water sports on or along the beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. Singles and couples will enjoy the hip and glamorous South Beach nightlife, within walking distance or a short taxi ride.

(+) All of South Beach amenities located just outside hotel’s door

Dining & Lounge: Loews Miami Beach Hotel South Beach

Fine dining is available at Loews Hotel Miami Beach at the renowned Emeril’s restaurant, which features “new” New Orleans-style Creole cuisine in a vibrant, lively dining room. A more casual dining experience can be found at Preston’s, where guests can enjoy American/New World cuisine served from an exhibition kitchen, with the option dine al fresco on the oceanfront terrace. Poolside dining at Nautilus offers light fare, smoothies, and frozen gelatos while basking in the sun on the hotel’s private beach area.

Loews guests can also enjoy authentic Cuban coffee and other fresh-roasted coffees at the Sobe Coffee Bar or cocktails in the Hemisphere Lounge, both located in the hotel lobby. A jazz quartet entertains guests every evening in the lounge, which has outdoor seating and a very hip atmosphere inside with lots of candles and cozy chairs.

During my stay, breakfast service was prompt and very good but not particularly outstanding. Menus include options that cater to vegetarian and low-carb diets, as well as the “No Carbtails”‑special low-carb cocktails.

When I decided to have some privacy for dinner, I took advantage of the in-room dining service. Overall, the service was timely, and the server was polite and professional. The experience could have been smoother if the room service attendant had been more familiar with the menu to better answer my questions.

(+) World-class cuisine in three very nice restaurants; special attention paid to healthy diet requests
(-) Room service lacked some knowledge of the menu options

Business Services: Loews Miami Beach Hotel South Beach

Business travelers are well-accommodated at Loews Hotel Miami Beach. Internet service with fax capabilities is available in each room. More than 65,000 square feet of function space is available for meetings, conventions, or large gatherings. The meeting space can accommodate up to 3,000 people. Access Managers are available to help plan every detail for a small corporate gathering, and can do so within 24 hours notice.

(+) Creative entertainment space designed for large celebrations or business meetings