Review: Four Seasons Hotel Miami

How did it strike you on arrival?
While your original list of hotel must-haves probably included “beachfront location,” the Four Seasons Hotel Miami will have you rethinking that priority in no time. It’s only a block away from Biscayne Bay, so still has all those gorgeous water views you’re craving, but the dazzling high-rise hotel does what many South Beach hotels cannot: offers a taste of city life with a tropical feel.

__ What’s the crowd like?__
Even among frequent travelers, Four Seasons guests—many of whom are business travelers—are a tribe unto themselves. They expect an unparalleled level of service and accommodation and trust the Four Seasons name to grant them just that.

Importantly: Tell us about your room.
At a sizable 500 square feet, the Bay-View Room is actually the hotel’s smallest accommodation. The room itself is attractive—lots of wooden furniture with neutral tans and whites, with a few bright throw pillows strewn around—even if it’s not particularly distinctive. But it’s got a leg up on suites twice its size, thanks to views of Biscayne Bay. All Bay-View rooms are located somewhere between the 20th and 27th floors, which saves having to make the request of a high-floor room.

We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?
Four Seasons hotels are known for their comfy, cloud-like beds and down duvets pillows, and the Miami outpost is no exception.

How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that worth a mention?
A window seat is a charming add-on no matter where you are, but when it allows you to sit for hours and gaze out peacefully at the water all around you, it’s even better. When you don’t want that water, or sun, shining in your eyes, just deploy the blackout curtains.

Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.
While we’d be remiss to describe a perfectly pleasant marble bathroom with a separate glass-enclosed shower and deep-soaking tub as “standard,” there are no real standout features beyond what you’d expect from a five-star hotel. The bright white cotton towels and terry bathrobes are soft and fluffy, though we had to request more of the former. L’Occitane toiletries are a nice touch. One other notable bit luxury: twice-a-day housekeeping visits, to keep those marble floors sparkling.

We all need some good Wi-Fi. What’s the word on that?
Though it was late to the free Wi-Fi game, Four Seasons finally came around back in late 2015. Service was strong throughout the hotel.

Room service: Worth it?
Having checked in late, and being too tired to put on any real clothes and venture into a restaurant, the hotel’s in-room dining menu for night owls came in handy, especially when we realized we could feast on fried tostones with avocado chimchurri ($10), Colombian beef empanadas with spicy salsa ($12), and cheddar croquetas ($9) into the wee hours of the morning. If you’re in the mood to set up your own in-room caviar bar ($193-$219) at 3 a.m., staff can make that happen, too. And while the breakfast menu does technically have a time limit, all-day breakfast is available upon request.

Anything stand out about the staff?
While the sun is beating down and the guests are dipping their toes in the water, the hotel’s team of pool butlers is constantly on the move, delivering towels, water, food, cocktails, and warnings that you’re about to burn. Tip them well.

What did we miss?
The first and best reason to book a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami is because of the two-acre "Main Pool" area, a glorious, palm tree-lined pool deck that sits on the hotel’s seventh floor and, as such, lets guests look down on the world around them. (In addition to those aforementioned Biscayne Bay vistas, you’ll get a clear view of South Beach and Downtown Miami.) The Palm Grove Pool also has its charms—specifically, the ability to wade into the water and hop up onto a palm tree-shaded hammock. The hotel succeeds with its dining options, too; Edge Steak & Bar’s indoor-outdoor setup, globally-inspired farm-to-table grub, and expansive, fire pit-filled terrace make for a memorable (late) night.

What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?
While other hotels in the area can lay claim to their own stretches of sand or rooftop pools overlooking Miami Beach, the Four Seasons Hotel Miami’s manmade approach to paradise puts plenty of its competitors to shame.

Bottom line: Is it worth it?
If you’re looking for a hotel with lots of personality and a bit of quirk, the Four Seasons Hotel Miami may not be it. That's not a knock on the hotel—just an observation that, in the quest to maintain a five-star level standard across an entire brand, there’s not always room left for a sense of whimsy. That said: if your ideal vacation includes lounging by the pool and, well, lounging by the pool, this elevated oasis is certainly a bit of paradise.