For those seeking a slice of sophisticated paradise, The Setai in Miami Beach offers a unique and understated luxury experience that has cemented its status as a South Beach legend. This unpretentious hotel masterfully blends Asian aesthetics with classic Art Deco style, creating a chic hideaway where every detail feels meticulously elevated.
Prime Location and Sophisticated Vibe
Perfectly positioned on the prestigious Collins Avenue, The Setai sits at the heart of Miami's prime oceanfront hotel scene. Its location at the junction with 20th Street marks where the tourist-friendly South Beach merges into the edgier Mid-Beach district. Key attractions like the Fillmore and New World Center performance venues, along with the pedestrianised shopping and dining strip of Lincoln Road Mall, are just three blocks to the south. Miami International Airport is conveniently located approximately 20-30 minutes away by taxi.
The hotel's atmosphere is profoundly influenced by Asian design principles, creating a transportive experience that might convince visitors they've arrived in Bali or Bangkok. This sensation is most powerful in the central courtyard, adorned with palms and pagodas, though the Asian theme permeates the entire property. Interestingly, despite the convincing aesthetic, The Setai's roots are Israeli, with its two sister properties located there. The name itself, 'setai', means 'south beach' in Indonesia's Bahasa language.
Accommodation and Exceptional Service
The Setai offers two distinct room types, both embracing the Asian theme while providing different experiences. The 91 Art Deco Suites are housed in a historic building that originally opened in 1938 as the Vanderbilt Hotel. These generously sized rooms feature tasteful decor in a warm palette of teak, taupe, ivory, ebony, and rich chocolate-brown. Their bathrooms boast black tiled walk-in showers and quality own-brand Twin Palms products.
By contrast, the approximately 60 Ocean Suites reside in a modern, all-glass high-rise tower. While maintaining a similar aesthetic, these suites offer the significant advantage of breathtaking Atlantic Ocean views.
Service throughout the hotel is polished and respectful, as befits a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. The experience is enhanced by the genuine warmth and authenticity brought by staff recruited from Indonesia and other parts of Asia. The concierge team particularly shines, leveraging their extensive local contacts and knowledge to significantly enhance guests' stays.
Dining, Facilities and Practical Details
The culinary offerings at The Setai are as diverse as they are impressive. The Setai Grand Breakfast, priced at $44 (£33) per person if not included in your room rate, is served in the courtyard and includes a comprehensive buffet of European, American, and Asian dishes, plus coffee, prosecco, and freshly-squeezed juices. For those preferring à la carte options, omelettes, eggs benedict, and buttermilk pancakes are available. Weekends see this upgraded to an opulent and highly popular brunch.
Lunch shifts to the open-fronted Ocean Grill, renowned for its views of dunes and palm trees, Mediterranean cuisine, and signature cocktails like the popular Setai mule made with lemongrass vodka and ginger beer. Evenings in the courtyard present a choice between two Asian-inspired restaurants: Jaya, serving pan-Asian fare including sushi, pad Thai, Peking duck, and Indian thalis, or Japon, which offers contemporary Japanese dishes mixing sushi rolls with caviar and steaks. Dinner here is an event in itself, accompanied by acrobats and DJ sets that evoke the decadent spirit of South Beach's party scene heyday.
The hotel's signature facility is its trio of adjacent pools, each maintained at a different temperature, with one being particularly child-friendly. This area, surrounded by loungers, palms, and cabanas, embodies Miami glitz but can become crowded. For more space, guests can head to the beach club, which offers loungers, parasols, and full service. Additional facilities include the Valmont Spa, featuring three treatment rooms, and a well-equipped gym overlooking the pool area.
The hotel welcomes pets free of charge, providing toys and treats, and offers accessible rooms on each floor with lift and ramp access to all areas except the beach. While children are welcome, there are no specific kids' facilities. Check-in is at 3pm and check-out at 12pm.
Perfect for couples or families seeking a celebratory slice of the high life, The Setai might not suit travellers uninterested in being part of the Miami Beach scene. For the perfect Instagram shot, head to the hotel's beach where two brightly painted, genuine Miami icon lifeguard huts provide an ideal backdrop.
The Setai is located at 2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, USA. For bookings, call +1 844 6628387 or visit Thesetaihotel.com.
