The Four Seasons hotel at the Surf Club in Miami, the expert opinion of Figaro

2020-09-19T04:49:52.355Z

This five-star iconic Florida hotel is set on one level facing the ocean. A great address to enjoy Miami, far from the crowds.

8/10 for the Four Seasons at the Surf Club

It's an institution in Miami.

Opened in the spring of 2017, this hotel occupies the former Surf Club building, a very private circle opened in 1930 by Harvey Firestone, founder of the world's first tire company.

Taken back in hand in the early 2010s, many works have been undertaken to transform this historic building into a hotel, without altering it.

The facade does not look much and it is almost possible to miss it as it goes unnoticed on the famous Collins Avenue which runs along the coast for more than 20 kilometers.

Surprise is found upon entering.

First a rather dark hall, then a few steps up to the large reception room, much brighter.

A set of plush sofas and a solid wood table full of beautiful art books welcome the client ready to collect the keys to his room at the desk.

Already, the eye is drawn to the Peacock Alley, a long arched gallery punctuated by flaming palm trees.

The stage is set.

7/10 The situation

The hotel is a bit out of the way;

away from Wynwood, Brickell or South Beach among other Miami point of interest.

This is certainly its only drawback.

The Surfside neighborhood in which it is located is a residential area, with no particular appeal, to the north of the city.

However, this remains a good solution if you want to stay away from the frenzy of the city.

And then the hotel is located on the seafront. You only have to walk about fifty meters to already have your feet in the sand.

8/10 The decor

When designing the hotel, the challenge was to blend the historic Surf Club building as harmoniously as possible with the contemporary building built around it.

The mission was perfectly accomplished by Joseph Dirand.

The French architect and decorator has perfectly linked the two worlds.

The pale stone walls of the common areas have been preserved.

Dozens of palm trees or banana trees seem to rise towards the vaults and give a flamboyant aspect to the large bar room and the restaurant.

On the walls, old sepia-colored photos recall the look of the Club more than fifty years ago.

The modern parts of the hotel are just as bright, less vegetated but adorned with works of art that bring color to the white that dominates the whole.

In pictures - visit of the Four Seasons at the Surf Club hotel in Miami

1/10 - The Peacol Alley and its palm trees.

Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club / press photo

9/10 The bedrooms

In Miami, Atlantic Ocean view rooms are plentiful.

Still, being lucky enough to have one is always exhilarating.

Here, most of the hotel's 103 rooms and suites face the sea.

Others are oriented towards the city or towards Biscayne Bay which separates the island of Miami Beach from the mainland.

So the views are beautiful on both sides.

In ours, the 503, comfort reigns thanks to contemporary-style furniture with clean lines.

This tasteful minimalism can be found on the headboard, on the small wooden nightstands, in the Carrara marble bathroom or on the corner sofa which is nested in the office furniture judiciously installed opposite the sea. Finally, the light colors and the large bay windows give a beautiful light to the rooms whose terraces are protected by transparent glass balustrades which avoid cutting the view.

8/10 Services, equipment

A beautiful gym and fitness room is located on the third floor of the hotel.

In the contemporary part of the establishment, there is also a spa which stretches out over a maze of corridors and recesses conducive to relaxation.

Six massage cabins are available for customers who have chosen one of the many treatments provided with products from the Dr Burgener or Susanne Kaufmann brands.

Outside, a long inground pool reserved for adults is suitable for swimming.

Those who prefer to splash around in salt water only have a few meters to soak their feet in the Atlantic.

Deckchairs and parasols are available exclusively to hotel guests.

9/10 At the table and at the bar

The old ballroom where the huge club parties took place has been split into two parts.

On the one hand, the Sirenuse Bar which offers a tempting cocktail menu and the largest selection of champagne in Miami.

On the other hand, the Sirenuse restaurant is a reproduction of the eponymous restaurant in Positano.

Italian chef Antonio Mermolia infuses the soul of Amalfi cuisine into his plates.

Lemon langoustine tartare (€ 27) or tomato and basil ravioli (€ 32) are some of the house's signature dishes.

But the most beautiful table in the hotel remains the Surf Club Restaurant, masterfully managed by Thomas Keller.

The famous multi-starred American chef, already based in New York and in Napa Valley, has made his mark to deliver the finest dishes that make his reputation here too.