Betsy Hotel Miami Review
Looking to stay at a prime art-centric hotel at the heart of South Beach, Miami? Look no further, because The Betsy Hotel might be the one for you. I’ve heard about The Betsy for quite some time now, having friends who live and travel in the area, and knew I had to visit this iconic hotel one day. Initially, I expected the hotel to be newer but the hotel itself is actually very historic with an older, classic Miami feel. I decided to stay at this boutique hotel to see what the experience was like and if it was worth the hype. Well, it certainly is because I had the most pleasant experience while staying here.
The Betsy Hotel is located on the iconic Ocean Drive in South Beach where toursits attractions and interesting things to do are at every corner. The emblematic architecture and overall ambiance make the hotel stand out from the rest in the Art Deco District and possesses a magical touch. Being in such a prime location allows you to have access to a plethora of shops, restaurants, bars and of course the beach, just a few steps away.
Betsy Hotel Miami Review
When you first walk in you’re greeted by a bustling lobby with fine art & decor, the in-house restaurant and bar and a complimentary glass of champagne. I personally always love when hotels give a glass of champagne upon arrival because it immediately puts you at ease and tells your brain “okay, I can relax now, I’m on vacation.” Little details like this make a big difference.
The Betsy Hotel is located at 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139 and first opened back in 1942 by Murray Dixon who was the architect that built many famous Miami Beach Art Deco hotels. The Betsy, named after Betsy Ross, the creator of our first American flag, is a hotel that demonstrates the distinct artisan traditions of Miami, showing a more soulful and authentic side of the city. With its expansive four-column portico and shuttered widows, the hotel is located close to the ocean with a rooftop deck that peers over the Atlantic Ocean offering stunning views of Miami.
Being an oceanfront hotel means just that, it is in close proximity to the ocean. As a guest of The Betsy, you have access to the beach by foot and complimentary chairs, towels and umbrellas set up on the beach where the team will help you find a spot to relax for the afternoon. Having the luxury of being so close to the beach enhances your experience because you really have everything you need in one place and can get back to the hotel quickly if you need to.
Betsy Hotel Rooms
With 130 luxury rooms and suites, The Betsy offers an elegant experience with finished marble bathrooms, luxury furnishings, walnut floors, artwork, balconies and more. Regular rooms include the Classic King, Classic Double and the Betsy Balcony. Suites you have access to include the Classic King Suite, Classic Double Suite, Betsy Balcony Suite, Royal Ocean View Suite and the Skyline Penthouse. There are also several multi-room options for those traveling in large groups for vacations, events and weddings.
Most rooms are equipped with their standard amenities including complimentary wifi, Sferra linens, Simmons mattresses, MALIN + GOETZ bath amenities, luxury bathrobes, a chair and a desk to work, hyper allergenic & feather pillows, baby alpaca bed throws, makeup mirrors, a full-length mirror, HD TV, curated guest library, marble bathrooms, walnut floors and the ability to bring your pet.
The rooms themselves are decorated with modern decor, have beautiful wallpapers and special touches throughout the rooms. Our bedroom had a lounge area with a desk and tv, great spot for sunrise yoga, as well as 2 beds and a spacious bathroom. We felt very comfortable in the room between the cleanliness and temperature of the room.
Betsy Hotel Amenities
As with any luxury hotel, The Betsy comes with a superb list of amenities you get to enjoy during your time there. This includes concierge service, pools, rooftop decks, a library, fitness center, a spa, yoga and proximity to the beach.
Pools
The pools are definitely one of the most exciting highlights of the hotel. You can’t fully enjoy Miami without pools and pleasantly, The Betsy has two; one in the courtyard next to the check-in desk and one on the rooftop deck. The courtyard pool has lounge chairs, towels and beautiful decor like plants and a large mirror reflecting off the pool. It’s definitely one of the more unique hotel pools I’ve seen. The rooftop pool is much larger and offers access to a lounge chairs, towels, a pool bar and insane views of the city. You have more sun-access here as well as the courtyard can be shady at certain times of the day. Overall, both are great options and remained pretty quiet during our stay, being able to enjoy them with less people around.
Roof Decks
One of the best way to experience Miami, is from a rooftop. I personally feel that’s the case for most cities, but Miami especially. The Betsy has a roof deck that gives you views of the ocean, buildings and Miami streets to give you a full picture of the life and culture around you. Between the decor, bars, pools and views, you’ll be on cloud 9, wishing you could never leave. Whether you’re there for sunrise, sunset or for the entire day, you’ll have everything you need.
Beach
Those sugar-white sands and crystal clear waters are easily accessible when you’re at The Betsy, so spending the day or a quick afternoon there is always a great idea. The beach is quite expansive so there’s plenty of room for everyone. You can bring your own beach chairs and cooler with food and drinks or you can rent chairs at the beach. As a guest of The Betsy, you’ll have access to complimentary chairs, towels and umbrellas on the beach.
Betsy Hotel On-site Dining
Hotel restaurants are some of my favorite and I believe they are highly underrated. While I also love venturing off to try restaurants in the area, I do believe the on-site restaurant of a hotel says a lot about the integrity of the hotel between the food, decor and staff. LT Steak & Seafood is an indoor and outdoor restaurant in the lobby of The Betsy offering a casually elegant New American style. After having 2 breakfasts and 1 dinner here, I came to the conclusion that it’s a fabulous restaurant, indeed. I love the ability to sit outdoors to enjoy the fresh air on Ocean Drive while people watching, but I also love the option to sit indoors where it’s cool. The staff is extremely kind and accommodating, so you’ll be taken care of regardless of where you choose to sit.
For breakfast they offer classic sweet & savory brunch dishes, fresh juices, coffee made the way you like it as well as gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and dairy-free options. The breakfast each morning was well-balanced and delicious with all the important food groups you need to start the day.
For dinner, they specialize in steak & seafood (hence the name) so we ordered sushi. The sushi was fresh and delicious and paired well with the wine and beer we ordered. The prices of the meals are on the more expensive side but the portions are huge and the flavors are delicious. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
The restaurant is open from 7:30-11am for breakfast, 11-2:30pm for lunch, 5:30-10pm for dinner and open at 11am on the weekends for brunch.
My Overall Impression Of The Betsy Hotel
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at The Betsy and would recommend the hotel to anyone looking for a more up-beat and lively experience in Miami. Being right on Ocean Drive, you’re in the middle of all the hot spots with a ton going on all hours of the day. I loved having the ability to enjoy the hotel, lay by the pool, grab food outdoors, head to the shops nearby and be on the beach in a lounge chair within minutes. The true convenience made for an enjoyable and productive time in the city.
The room was clean, spacious and comfortable, the lobby was always busy with kind faces saying hi and the courtyards and rooftop decks were amazing.
That was definitely the highlight of the hotel. Whether you’re looking to bask away in the sun or get those insta-worthy shots, you’ll have all of that and more. The hotel also feels a lot smaller than it actually is, so once I explored a bit more I realized how many different rooms and amenities you have available to you. There’s a ton of history inside with honorable photos and decor for famous musicians like The Beatles.
The only downsides of the hotel worth noting, as I’ve mentioned several times in this post, it is an older hotel so some of the floors creak and some of the decor is a bit outdated.
I personally feel that it adds to the charm of the hotel, so if you’re into older atmosphere in hotels, it will be perfect for you. The nightlife is also strong in this area so it’s likely you will hear people outside your window or above your floor getting ready to go out and/or coming back late. That’s kind of just basic Miami culture, so regardless of where you stay in Miami, you can definitely run into this often.
Overall, I had a great experience on so many levels and would go back in a heartbeat. There’s always so much to admire about hotels and The Betsy definitely takes the cake in offering a unique experience in South Beach, Miami.
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