Ok – I can hear most of you shedding tears over my title BUT LISTEN. Here is the inside story about South Beach, my trip, and the RC.
We went on vacation. The Mr and I have not been on vacation together since 2005 – it was our honeymoon. WOO HOO The Mr had some work in South Beach so we decided to make a little vacation out of it. We went down earlier in the week, stayed at a boutique hotel called, The Hotel Victor. I had stayed there before (a group of girlfriends and I had been to South Beach to see Madonna – it was fabulous!! BT!!!) and it had been a lovely experience. I should have known better than to go back with the same expectations. The hotel is on "Art Deco Row" – the waterfront in South Beach on Ocean Dr features all of these great Art Deco hotels/ restaurants/ Apartments. (Minus the Versace Mansion which is directly to the left of Hotel Victor) It is really amazing to see all these buildings lined up. Most have been restored but there are plenty that could use some love and are available for Sale! (we will discuss that shortly) They are painted bright colors and have been well manicured. BUT – back to he HV, it was good but a little dilapidated. There were years of abuse showing, water streaks from the air conditioner, ceiling leaks (we were on the top floor) that had been repaired but not properly, lighting that was now hanging by wires vs being screwed in, and etc. It was ok – just disappointing. Compared to where we were going – we were at the Four Seasons! 
Forward to later in the week – we are headed to the Ritz Carlton. This is the hotel The Mr's company had arranged – they had good intentions. We check in – go to our first room – it was a CAVE!! We had just come from a room that featured a wall that opened to a balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The room was airy and bright The RC room was dark (very little light) and overlooked a fleet of air conditioners. I called and complained – they moved us to a "partial view room" – if you stuck your head out the window and looked right there was some water . BUT – it at least had good light. I was annoyed to say the least BUT – Free hotel room – whatever. My next stop – the beach. I took my phone so that when The Mr was done working he would know where to find me. He called at around 4, at about 5 we were packing up in our cabana to meet friends for cocktails, no phone anywhere. I feel the rush of panic. All my notes, contact, appointments – GONE. I ask the people next to us if they had seen anyone – they saw no one. The guys working at the beach – 4 of the 5 were extremely helpful. They brought a rake and a metal detector. No phone. I think one of the employes stole my phone . This one guy was suspiciously not looking at us and did not help look at all. I was in tears – gone – everything was gone. Long LONG story short – I have yet to see my phone. I am now carrying a Storm and can't figure out how to work it!! HA It is ridiculous. The RC is not a dump because of their customer service, although it was mediocre at best. It stinks because whomever designed and did the interior design work for the hotel had paid no attention to its surroundings/ environment. They took a building that had worked at other sites and retrofit it into this spot. Most of the rooms did not face the ocean. The pool should have been further towards the ocean. Their restaurant faced East so you were BLASTED with sun – by 9:00 there was an army of umbrellas blocking all views but keeping you from frying. The lobby was dark and had heavy wood panelling. Oh well. I know we are never staying there again!
My top three recommendations for location location location in South Beach (aka: A good Hotel) The Tides (understated and chic – on the beach and Ocean Dr) ,The Delano (super expensive/ pretentious BUT amazing- a must see!! It is VERY beautiful), and The Shore Club (home to Nobu and also very beautiful!) I still love South Beach and look forward to going back soon but not without losing sight of my cell phone!
