Paul Revel MIAMI BEACH EDITION
ORIGINALLY THE SEVILLE HOTEL, it opened in 1955 as a flagship of ‘Miami Modern’ architecture, a glamorous golden-era hangout for Rat Packers and stars. After a multimillion makeover in 2014, it re-emerged, gleaming and white, as part of Ian Schrager’s luxury lifestyle Edition brand, which is operated by Marriott International.
ROOMS: The 294 rooms and suites are spacious, cool and minimalist, featuring whites and neutrals, pale oak and designer furniture. Our non-seaview room felt somewhat underwhelming, with a nondescript urban view. And it seems rather meagre to have no coffee machine or tea-making facilities in a five-star hotel room. But they are bright and spacious, with a good workspace, Le Labo bathroom products, 48in TVs, Beats Bluetooth speakers and free, fast wifi throughout. RESTAURANTS & BARS: Market is open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s a cheerful, buzzing place with friendly service and great food. We enjoyed fresh, tasty dishes such as parmesan-crusted chicken with artichoke hearts and lemon butter
2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33140 Tel: +1 786 257 4500 •
editionhotels.com/miami-beach
sauce, and tuna tartare with radish and ginger marinade. Matador, in dark woods and rich velvets, and with a leafy terrace, offers fine dining and a top-notch cocktail bar. The chic, poolside Tropicale café is a sunny spot ,which also has waiter service to the loungers and the private beach. MEETINGS & EVENTS: A wide range of meeting rooms and spaces include the Forum for up to 920 theatre-style with its own entrance and pre-function space, and La Vista Terrace, with ocean views, is for al fresco events for up to 240 guests. The basement offers opportunities for memorable events – with a funky bowling alley, ice-rink and nightclub – all lit by Patrick Woodroffe, the Rolling Stones’ favourite lighting designer.
LEISURE: The gardens have two large swimming pools. The US$25-per day resort fee includes loungers and towels for the pools and private beach, and use of the hotel’s bicycles. There’s a well- equipped 24-hour gym, but the changing rooms and sauna/steam facilities are only for guests who’ve booked spa treatments. VERDICT: The ‘wow’ factor starts in the lobby lounge, with marble, leather and fabrics in a dozen shades of white. It comes alive at night with hundreds of flickering candles and a forest of uplit palms throwing theatrical shadows across the double-height ceilings. This is a lovely place in a beautiful location, but sometimes feels a bit too cool for school, and service is occasionally style over substance.
Paul Revel RENAISSANCE LONDON HEATHROW HOTEL Bath Road, Hounslow TW6 2AQ • Tel: +44 208 897 6363 •
marriott.co.uk
ROOMS: 710 rooms and suites, including 97 executive club rooms with runway views. Our plush Runway Suite was comfortable and spacious with impressive views of aircraft taking off and landing – silently thanks to super-strength glazing. Features included a decent-sized, L-shaped desk, large flatscreen TVs in both sitting room and bedroom, and bathroom with large walk-in shower and stand-alone bathtub, Espa products and piles of fluffy towels and thick bathrobes. Executive rooms and suites include a complimentary
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
minibar. The Executive lounge offers complimentary breakfasts, snacks and drinks, with an evening service of cocktails, canapés, desserts and cheeseboard. RESTAURANTS & BARS: The hotel has a London theme, and Bar Eleven, for drinks, cocktails and bar food menu, refers to London’s 11 Underground lines, reflected in the overhead neon artwork and glossy Tube-station tiles. Dinner in the Market Garden restaurant was tasty – we started with a crayfish cocktail with Virgin Mary foam, and foie gras with prune puree and
THIS QUINTESSENTIAL AIRPORT HOTEL,owned and operated by the Arora Group under a franchise agreement with Marriott, is a Heathrow landmark. One of the airport’s first major hotels when it opened in the 1970s, its modernist architecture is a familiar sight when taking off. It has recently had a £20 million refurbishment.
spiced-fruit toast, followed by juicy rib-eye steaks with a choice of sauces. The wine list comes in a clever, user-friendly infographic layout. MEETINGS & EVENTS: The hotel has up to 16 events spaces of various sizes, including a ballroom with capacity for 450 theatre-style, own bar and reception area. Audio-visual and staging equipment services are available. The hotel has 700 car parking spaces and offers ‘park and fly’ rates. LEISURE: At basement level (not yet renovated) is a decent- sized 24-hour gym with Life
Fitness strength and cardio machines, free-weights and studio space. There’s also a mini spa with two treatment rooms – therapists are on call, so it’s advisable to book – plus sauna and steam room. VERDICT: It might sound like damning with faint praise, but I think this is my favourite airport hotel to date. The refurb is fresh, smart, comfortable and well-appointed, and the food is good. Meanwhile, the 1970s architecture and views of B747s landing evoke a nostalgic ambiance that recalls a more glamorous era of commercial aviation.
BBT MAY/JUNE 2016 119
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