(Miami, Florida)

For the in-crowd

Welcome to the surreal world of Alice, Alice in Wonderland that is, where chessboards are life-sized and chairs are fit for a giant. Cascading curtains are often in place of doors (expect of course in the guest rooms) and colors, shapes and textures seem to contain an inherent fluidity as the inside streams to the outside, the grass into the sand, into the ocean. It is a surrealist’s playground, a world unto its own. This is not your typical hotel. It is a beachfront hotel for hipsters, or those who want to be. Ian Schrager’s Delano Hotel is quite simply chic.

Spa Food

Savor freshly caught albacore sashimi bursting with delicate flavor that melts on your  tongue at Blue Sea, an Asian Sea Bar. Indulge on sumptuous Crabavocat, a confit ((?))) of  avocado guacamole, blue crab salad and spiced tomato coulis, followed by Homard  Banana, a decadent dish that fuses the flavors of Maine lobster with caramelized bananas,  raisins, apio puree and soy at Blue Door, the Delano’s indoor/outdoor exotic French garden  terrace restaurant under the helm of acclaimed chef Claude Troisgros.

A Room with View

As Alice was lured by the “eat me” wafer; upon entering your clean, white, thoroughly modern room, a tempting apple, placed upon a mantel commences your fantastic journey at The Delano hotel. 

Pamper Me Please

Similar to the hotel as a whole, the Agua Bathhouse spa is filled with flowing white sheets creating the illusion of wind or waves. Unfortunately the thin sheets, sectioning out treatment rooms, do little to drown out the sounds of other spa clients who forget to keep their voices to a whisper. But somehow the laughter of the beach-goers and the tranquil sounds of crashing waves outside, which echo through the spa, are enough to put the mind and body at ease as you imagine that you are comfortably laying on the sand, palm trees over head and pina colada in hand. My therapist entered the room, creating a cool breeze as the curtain fluttered closed behind her. I indulged in one of the most popular treatments, the White Cloud Algae Body Mask, known to soak up any residual alcohol and other toxins following a night of Miami Beach revelry. Just don’t go in expecting to book a reservation for both you and your sweetie at the same time. Men’s and women’s spa hours are separated. If you want a side-by-side massage, book it in your room.

Body of Movement

Romping around on the private beach by day and partying till the break of dawn leaves little time for exercise. Or did you already forget what that is? David Barton’s state-of-the art gym  with indoor/outdoor fitness areas, and cardio machines complete with high-speed internet access allows you to stay connected with your body and the world (that is if you succumb to the urge to check your e-mail or search the web while sprinting on the treadmill). A variety of fitness classes on the beach are available, perfect for those of you who can’t bear to leave the sand and the blazing sun, if even for a moment. 

Unique Opportunities

Play chess with life-sized pieces on an outdoor chessboard that’s as big as your bedroom. This is not a game for the listless traveler who prefers to do little more than lift a finger when on vacation. This game of chess requires you to actually lift up the pieces, each standing at least 2 feet tall, making each move a workout in itself. After a full game, you will be ready to cool off in the infinity pool. 

For more information, visit Delano Hotel online.

Laurel W. House is the West Coast Editor for Fit Magazine and Fit Yoga Magazine as well as a freelance writer for Spa, Healing Lifestyles and Spas, Elite Traveler, Men's Journal and Playboy.