Located on bustling Collins Avenue, from the outside, the Setai Miami Beach seems to be just another historic building with an iconic Art Deco facade. There’s no grand sweeping driveway or flashy front doors. Everything in that first moment feels understated and subtle which is entirely the intent.
Inside is a serene sanctuary of high-end hospitality, where every design accent or piece of furniture was meticulously selected in line with the hotel’s strong Asian roots.
Jade, bronze, and stone all feature heavily, positioned in alignment with Feng Sui practices, while each brick that lines the lobby floors were sourced from Shanghai and dates back to the Asian Art Deco period.
Most of the look favors the Far East but other touches are nods to Art Deco and Florida cultures, such as fresh oranges throughout the central courtyard or latticework details.
Though from first glance upon entering Collins Avenue, the exterior was diminutive. For context, many rivals flaunt massive driveways and rows of extravagant doors.
But here, the effect was more subtle. Inside, the doors opened to a more sweeping space, done up in dark wood with shades of rich brown and gray, highlighted by a long table with a central orb of 500 crimson red roses and a stone fertility sculpture.
What you may not realise until you book your room is that The Setai is actually composed of two different buildings. There’s a historic Art Deco building, where the majority of the hotel rooms are found, as well as the 40-storey tower which is majority residential. While the interior design of sleek polished wood, neutral tones and modern lines is the same between the two buildings, the floor plans, views and price points are completely different.
Art Deco rooms only offer city and courtyard views, which may come as a disappointment if you’re picturing the hotel’s landmark glass tower and the sweeping ocean views it provides. Accommodations available in the tower are known as Ocean suites and range from one to four bedrooms, which also enjoy exclusive benefits including round trip airport transfers, breakfast, spa treatments and more, making it one of the most luxurious stays in Miami.
In hotel three temperature-controlled pools, beachfront services, vibrant dining, and a revered spa, the Setai indulges guests in all ways possible. Housed in a restored 1936 landmark built by renowned architect Henry Hohauser, The Setai contrasts a striking example of Miami’s iconic Art Deco architecture with an ultra-modern 40-story glass tower.
Of course, one of Setai’s best features is its beachfront address. An idyllic path leads straight from Ocean Grill to a prime spread of private sand serviced by the hotel with wide plush day bed loungers, and smart arrows to alert waitstaff you need service to place a food order or request water. I did like that at both the pool and the beach, guests are presented with bottles of water, cold towels, and facial mist, which all seemed like thoughtful additions to make a beach or pool day that much more indulgent. Plus, Wi-Fi reaches all the way to the ocean!
The Setai holds a prime beachfront position on Collins Avenue in South Beach Miami, right next to leafy Collins Park.
Across the street is the well-reviewed Orange Blossom restaurant, and the hotel is close to well-reviewed dining and drinks at both the W South Beach and 1 Hotel South Beach.
The hotel is also a 20-minute ride to other popular neighborhoods such as downtown Brickell or the art-filled Wynwood and Design District areas, and a 40-minute drive from Miami International Airport.
The gym at Setai is 24 hours, so if you can’t sleep, you can hit the gym stocked with a nice variety of cardio and weight equipment. It’s located within the Valmont Spa, which utilizes Swiss medicine and cellular cosmetic research to formulate anti-aging skincare products and treatments. While many massages on offer, this is especially the place to indulge in facials and beauty treatments.
Restaurants
AYA
Jaya is the main restaurant, which celebrates Asian cuisine served in an elegant dining room or around a central reflecting pool and courtyard. Food is excellent and includes specialties like Dim Sum, fried rice, wok-fried noodles, and Tandoori-baked fish and meats. Don’t miss the spectacular Friday night Bazaar when dinner is served along with a decadent performance show featuring fire dancers, contortionists, and acrobats. It’s a lot of fun but could generate noise if your room faces the Courtyard as music goes on until midnight. Jaya also serves a la carte breakfast or a hefty breakfast buffet with everything from fried rice to waffles, made-to-order omelets, and a truly impressive spread of fresh-baked treats. I enjoyed meals from Jaya for both, comped by the hotel as part of my review, and would gladly return as I found the food to be delicious, inventive, and worth the cost for a special meal. You may also enjoy a drink or bite from the mother-of-pearl-topped bar across from the restaurant, which can be served there or in the courtyard.
OCEAN GRILL
The Ocean Grill has an expanded, covered dining deck with extra beachfront seating, perfect for enjoying the artfully delicate flavors of southern Europe, classic American dishes, and specialty Seafood selections, which are prepared on a wood-fired grill. With its elevated deck, guests are able to take in the breathtaking view stretching all the way to the shoreline of South Beach’s glittering waters. This open-air, oceanfront restaurant in Miami Beach features lush tropical foliage framed in a tall wood-beamed cabana designed with modern Asian finishes.
The Ocean Grill makes for the perfect spot for locals and visitors alike to relax and break away from the bustling streets of Miami with an atmosphere fitting for a quick bite before the beach or a casual sit-down meal with friends. Its Lunch Menu highlights include Spanish Octopus on the wood-fired grill, Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, and Mediterranean Branzino; while Dinner focuses on Italian cuisine featuring pasta, risottos, wood-grilled prime meats, and fish. A local favorite is the Ocean Grill’s exotic Truffle Pizza, “the diamond of the kitchen”. Daily chef specialties feature local and seasonal ingredients, infused with flavors reminiscent of sun, summer, and coast.
THE BAR & COURTYARD
By night, moods lift and music embraces as sophisticated global dishes are paired with fine wine, champagne, and cognac selections, as well as creative cocktails with an Asian twist. The Bar is adorned with mother of pearl material, while the adjacent tranquil yet chic Courtyard features towering pergolas with rich woods and The Setai’s iconic serenity pond, where guests lounge around in the sunshine while enjoying a robust breakfast or light lunch, or under the twinkling stars when night falls. The Bar & Courtyard presents an elegant backdrop for whatever the day or night may bring.
