An Honest Review of W South Beach Hotel in Miami, Florida

Not sure about you, but life has been very full and very busy for me since the spring . And even though everything has been fun and exciting, there was a moment when all the hustle had me feeling a bit disconnected from myself; I was craving a second to sit with myself, check in, and reset. So when —a luxurious hotel nestled right on Miami Beach—offered to host me for a ~weekend of wellness~, I knew I could use the time to feel grounded again. I mean, it's said to be a fave for celebs like Justin Bieber, Lizzo, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, and more, so I was sure it would be just fine by me.

Now, I know, I know. "Miami Beach" and "wellness" don't sound like they go together. But this trip strayed far from the stereotypical party vibe the destination has a reputation for. W South Beach was the exact opposite, in fact, which was beyond needed. If you're feeling like you might be in need of a cutesy little reset yourself, keep on reading, because I've got a full review of the property coming your way.

Name:

Location: Miami Beach, Florida

Cost Per Night: Starting at $483

Best For: An elevated reset

While You're Here, Visit: The wellness juice cart

One-Word Vibe Check:

Most Iconic Photo Spot: Mr. Chow on the property

Don't Leave Without: Doing morning yoga on the spa terrace

On the outside, W South Beach is a bit unassuming, but all of that immediately changes once you step inside the lobby and are transported into a world of modern glamor, with touches of art deco. The ceilings are sky high, the couches are the creamiest ivory, and there is just the slightest whiff of opulence in the air, but like, not the snooty kind, ya know? The space was so cozy and inviting, and the staff were so kind and warm that I felt like I had arrived at my Very Rich, But Super Down-to-Earth Friend's ginormous mansion.

THE ROOMS

I should have known when I saw the doors—which were gold with a giant lucite handle in the middle—that the rooms were going to go crazy. When I walked in my suite, I was gagged. First of all, "suite" was very much an undersell; it was more so a luxurious, fully loaded, two-bedroom condo with exceptional ocean views. There was a sexy little half bath off the entryway, a stunning living/dining room with a soothing coral and sage color palette (and a six-foot chandelier), a full kitchen, a movie room with a sofa pit, and—my personal favorite part—an in-unit washer and dryer.

The details didn't miss either, particularly the fresh flowers, giant soaking tub in the main bathroom, and floor-to-ceiling accordion doors that opened onto the balconies (yes, plural), which were perfect for morning journaling and reflecting. Believe me, if I had a cushy $1.6 million dollars lying around (there are residences at W South Beach that go for this much, per my very curious deep dive!), I would have *immediately* called a broker.

THE AMENITIES

I simply could not wait to check out W South Beach's enormous, wildly serene Away Spa . I received two separate treatments during my stay: a reflexology foot massage, and a hydrafacial. The foot massage was truly unlike anything I've ever experienced before, with all the same steps as a typical massage (de-robe, get under the blankets, wait for the massage therapist to come in, etc.), but this one was just from the knees down. As someone who's suffered from insane shin splints and plantar fasciitis for literally ever, it was incredible.

The hydrafacial was also new for me. The esthetician used a big ol' machine with a bunch of different wands to do the facial, and it pulled out all the dirt, NYC pollution, and other gunk lingering deep beneath my pores. I was a glowy goddess afterward, and it was fantastic.

For me, feeling like myself again also involves a regular workout routine. I've been in my workout class era lately, so it was nice that W South Beach offered a handful of class options, like HIIT sessions with DOGPOUND and morning yoga with Miami's own Ahana Yoga , which I took advantage of. I have done a fair share of yoga classes in my life, and this was, by a landslide, my absolute favorite. All of the Ahana staff are wonderful, but if you can get a session in with founder Dawn Feinberg, you are in for a treat. I live for a high-energy coach and she was just that, plus encouraging (she helped me do my first-ever back bend!), witty, and just plain fun. Pro tip: The Miami humidity starts at damn-near sunrise, so you'll definitely get pretty sweaty, but try to go before the afternoon if you don't want to melt.

Oh, and if trying to coordinate all of this sounds like a huge pain, the property has these little angel-like humans called "W Insiders" (they're given to every guest!) who will handle aaall of the booking logistics for whatever you need. Not sure about you, but getting back to my best self absolutely does not include making a damn schedule, so believe me, they are doing the Lord's work.

THE FOOD AND BEV

There are five on-property restaurants—offering everything from classic poolside bites to Italian-American fare—but the most notable, by far, is the storied Mr. Chow . The dress code is cocktail, the dining room is clad in white tablecloths, and the high-end Chinese cuisine is fantastic. Be sure to get the tasty and decadent chicken satay to change your life.

The room service menu was also clutch when I wanted to just chill or hang back and do my own thing for a while. It had lots of good variety, like fresh chips and guac, wings, and cookies. And whenever I was chilling by the pool, I literally *always* ordered the shrimp tempura sushi roll, watermelon and feta salad, and one of their pressed juices or smoothies. Truly, you can't go wrong with any of the food here.

THE BOTTOM LINE I will scream about the glory of W South Beach like a sidewalk preacher with a megaphone to anyone who will listen. It's not your stereotypical Miami Beach getaway—like, if you're looking for the turn up, look elsewhere, because this is not that. But if you want luxe, relaxing, rich auntie vibes that will help you feel refreshed and give you a gorgeous backdrop to tap back into yourself, this is where you need to be. And you'll probably see me there.