The Standard Miami

I liked ending the day with dinner by the water, watching boats go by. The food and drinks were fine but a little pricey, and there were a couple of places to grab a bite or a cocktail without leaving the property. That mellow setting was a welcome change from Ocean Drive. The Standard Spa sits on a quiet little island off the main beach strip, so it felt less hectic than South Beach. I enjoyed walking through the gardens and down by the water, just steps from the pool. The spa and pool were the highlights: I had a couple of treatments and spent time in the hydrotherapy areas, including the steam room, hammam, and cold plunge. After walking around Miami, it was a good way to decompress. During the day the pool had a relaxed mix of locals and travelers, without much loud music or chaos. My room was small and basic compared with some other Miami hotels I’ve stayed in. It did have a nice outdoor soaking tub on the terrace, which was a fun bonus, but I spent most of my time outside the room anyway. The stay felt relaxed and a bit unique, with a lighter, spa-focused energy. It isn’t a flashy luxury stay, and some things cost more than I expected, but it was worth checking out for a couple of days if you want to unwind in Miami Beach.

The pool was another highlight, with plenty of room to lounge under shady umbrellas, strong drinks, great service from Mila, and a stellar cold plunge for when the sun gets to you. We had a celebratory long weekend at The Standard and weren’t disappointed. The hammam was heavenly, and the sauna, chilled tub, steam room, and cold room made it hard to leave. Then an amazing woman came in and played singing bowls for us for literally an hour. Talk about an out-of-body experience! One day, several guests didn’t seem to understand Spa Etiquette. It was a weekend and a holiday, so perhaps there were quite a few guest passers. I know it’s a lot to explain to everyone coming in, but a simple request to keep conversation and volume to a minimum might help. The room was my one criticism. The walls were a bit thin, and for a couple of nights it sounded like Godzilla was walking around in the room above us at 4am. Larger rugs and maybe tapestries on the walls might help. We definitely recommend staying and will return, though we’ll choose our dates and room location more carefully.

Just got back from my stay. The staff were warm and attentive, and the atmosphere was relaxing, though there was plenty to people-watch if that’s your thing. As a New Yorker, it was a short flight to get some salad R&R. The rates were actually reason reasonable for a hotel of this caliber. The standard Miami should be the hotel that really sets the standard.

The best part for me was that it’s dog friendly. People were relaxing with their dogs by the pool and at the restaurants. It’s adults only, so there were no kids splashing around in the pool. Kids don’t usually bother me, but it was nice to have an adults-only vibe for a change. The spa is amazing, with spacious showers stocked with shampoo, conditioner, and soap, plus locker rooms. The drinks are good and strong, and the food was good when I dined there. I loved the vibe, the beautiful setting right on the water, and watching the yachts go by. Everyone working there was so nice and helpful. It’s very expensive, but worth the experience. Highly recommend, this place will not disappoint.