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Miami’s New Hotel Within a Hotel
Stylish Hotel Beaux Arts opens at the new JW Marriott Marquis.
Exclusive hotel experiences should start something like this: upon arrival, a staff member escorts you past the reception desk to an elevator that transports you to a private check-in floor away from all other guests. This is no easy feat for an urban hotel — especially one in downtown Miami. But that’s exactly how your stay begins at Hotel Beaux Arts, a boutique hotel within the new JW Marriott Marquis.
The JW Marriott Marquis opened with star-studded fanfare in November, and raised eyebrows with such amenities as an NBA-approved basketball arena (pictured), a two-lane virtual bowling alley and a golf school. However, the three floors that compose Hotel Beaux Arts — 38th through the 40th, the building’s penultimate — opened for guests only a few weeks ago.
The design-forward Hotel Beaux Arts uses a minimalist palette (lots of black, white, silver) that feels Art Deco-inspired. There are 44 guest rooms, including 11 large and airy suites. The latter have separate sitting rooms (with chic leather furniture you’d want in your own city apartment). The bathroom taps glow blue (for cold) and red (for hot) and purplish in between. There are huge flat-screen televisions with hi-tech sound systems; but it’s the wall of windows overlooking Brickell Key and the bay beyond that impresses most.
All new properties have kinks to iron out: On a recent visit, a 4 a.m. accidental fire alarm woke guests into various states perplexity (some staggered around in pajamas to find help that wasn’t there, while others scrambled down 39 flights of stairs). A meager buffet breakfast seemed inadequate for such a luxurious property; however, decadent turndown goodies like chocolate-dipped biscotti and chocolate-covered cookies from the on-property chocolatier are certain to leave you in a forgiving state.
For dinner, there’s no question: On the ground floor of the JW Marriott Marquis is Daniel Boulud’s first Miami venture — an outpost of DB Bistro Moderne. This place strikes the sought-after balance of exquisitely attentive service without the overbearing fustiness of a gourmet French restaurant. The food is some of the best in Miami — particularly the impeccably roasted lamb loin from the lamb tasting plate.
With distinct dining spaces that are fun and stylish (rounded persimmon-colored walls in one; tinted mirror-lined walls in another), the restaurant attracts young and old sophisticates alike. On a recent visit, no one seemed particularly shy about indulging either: Boulud’s signature sirloin burger with pommes frites was spotted on servers’ trays all around the dining room.
