Art Deco Meets Luxury on South Beach
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By GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life Published January, 2020 MIAMI BEACH_Preparing for a recent cruise from the Port of Miami, we wanted to find a hotel in the area where we could chill and relax the night before. We found it -- the COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach. For starters, we're big fans of art deco, and this hotel originally opened in 1939 as the Traymore, designed by renowed art deco architect Albert Anis. A lot of its charm and heritage has been retained in Italian designer Paola Navone's remodel, with a color scheme that gives it a contemporary flair. It's also got a great location in the heart of South Beach, steps from the beach and on the Boardwalk, where walkers, runners, cyclists and locals enjoy the best Miami Beach has to offer. Last year, it announced the opening of Traymore, a new restaurant from award-winning chef Michael Schwartz, famous for his farm-to-table approach. Its menu features dishes that combine Florida and Southeast Asian cuisine. The hotel is part of Christina Ong's COMO Hotels and Resorts, headquartered in Singapore, which include properties in London, Turks and Caicos, Thailand, the Maldives and Bali. Join us as we take a closer look ... |
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OUR ROOMThe hotel has 74 rooms. We had an oceanview room on the 6th floor. There was no balcony -- only a few rooms have one. But it had all the niceties, including a private safe, free WiFi, a bar, robes, plug-ins for all your devices, upscale toiletries and a rainfall shower you'll never want to leave. The sea-foam green and neutral color palate has a tranquilizing effect.
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THE RESTAURANT - TRAYMOREWhen you have an art deco heritage, your restaurant and food need to be just as artful. Traymore is just that. Chef Michael Schwartz serves up great dishes inspired by both Florida and Asia in a setting that is both casual and elegant.
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When you go, be sure you plan on doing Happy Hour at the Sling Bar. The cocktails are delicious, and so are the bar bites. We enjoyed lemon-drop martinis and chicken skewers.
For breakfast, we went with fresh fruit, a bread basket, orange juice and coffee. It was the perfect way to start our day. |
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THE LOBBYThis is where you'll find an upscale shop and more of the art deco ambiance that make this place special. We were especially impressed with the service, from the bellman to the front desk, they take good care of their guests.
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THE POOLOf course you need to pack a swimsuit. Check out this pool, which has its own bar (above). There are plenty of places to relax on a lounger, read a book or feel sorry for
your friends who aren't here. 
There's outdoor seating when you want to soak up some Miami sunshine
THE BOTTOM LINEIf you want something on the beach, with style and luxury touches that exudes a casual friendliness, COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach is just the ticket. The hotel was almost ready to open their re-imagined rooftop spa. We'll definitely be planning to future visit to check it out!
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