The Surreal Life ~ Delano, Miami
by Laurel W. House(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.
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