The Raleigh

The Scene

The Raleigh sits at the crossroads of South Beach’s active heart---on the beach, of course. Cultural vanguards of Miami like the Fillmore Miami Beach and the Bass Museum of Art are all close by and easily accessible on foot. The ever-popular shopping, entertainment, and restaurant mecca Lincoln Road is also within strutting distance. Yet what makes The Raleigh’s fabulous location even more so is its proximity and relationship to sister hotels SLS and The Redbury plus access to all their amenities. Need a swank gym? Head to SLS. Want to eat at some of Miami’s top restaurants? Talk to the concierge and they’ll arrange tables at, for example, Umami Burger or Katsuya by Starck.

The Concept

Picture a stylish hotel in the early 1940’s with a chic beach feel: that’s pretty much The Raleigh. It’s refined in all the right ways--the expansive martini bar clocks in at 244 feet long, the restaurant is headed by James Beard award-winning chef Michael Schwartz (whom the restaurant is named for), and the coffee bar is just the thing whenever you need a jolt of caffeine--but maintains an easy air thanks to the wildly popular pool. The iconic black and white scalloped edges have been the backdrop of Esther Williams movies and Chanel fashion shows alike, but more often it’s simply one of the most recognizable pool scenes in Miami Beach (no small feat for this town). Be sure to indulge in a poolside drink or snack--the pool bar is fantastic and the food is provided by Michael Schwartz. Poolside chairs and cabanas fill up fast, but there’s always the beach where you’ll have two beach chairs reserved just for you.

The Look

The Raleigh transcends vintage in our minds; it’s truly as though the design never really strayed far from the initial inspiration of a Miami Beach home turned hotel. Starting in the shining terrazzo floors, sandy hues let a classic black, red, and white color palette pop and frame the stunning turquoise water and sky while wicker makes up a great deal of the furniture. While the rooms are a bit smaller than more modern hotels, they’re not cramped. Our favorite room is the Premier Ocean View Balcony, but truthfully if you don’t plan on spending much time in the room or don’t crave ocean views a city view is fantastic too. The signature Raleigh Suite and Esther Williams Suite are simply stunning; the Raleigh Suite will give you breathtaking sunset views while the Esther Williams Suite is perfect for having friends over for dinner.

In Short

With a history of glamour and enjoying the beautiful things in life, The Raleigh continues to be a cultural vanguard of Miami Beach. There’s no better place to soak up the sun and indulge in the most fashionable pool culture around.