Greg Fleming checks into East Hotel, Miami
Location: Brickell, Miami’s downtown financial centre, sometimes called the Manhattan of the South, about 15 minutes from Miami airport. Lots of restaurants, bars, and high-end shopping — a 25-minute Uber from Wynwood (an interesting and up-and-coming arts-filled suburb) in one direction and the famous South Beach in the other. The hotel is the first North American foray for Hong Kong-based Swire Hotels and was opened in 2016. East is part of the $1.05 billion Brickell City Centre and sits above a brand new shopping mall — nearby there’s a Saks Fifth Avenue (downstairs is an excellent food court which I discovered only on the last day of my stay). The hotel’s 352 rooms include 89 residential suites. Check-in experience: Fine, I arrived late at night, had to cut through the long lines waiting to go to Sugar, a very popular Asian-influenced restaurant/club on the 40th floor and was in my room within minutes. The lifts operate a little differently than most other hotels, you use a touch screen navigator in the lobby to call your lift, but once you’re used to it, it’s fine.
Price: Prices start at about $450 a night depending on season, availability and room type.
Room: An urban king with a wrap-around balcony on the 34th floor — it offered amazing views out to the Miami skyline and felt like you were up there with the eagles and aeroplanes, both common sights from the vertigo-inducing balcony. The view of the city at night was even better. Decor-wise, it’s a sleek, minimalist vibe. The espresso machine comes with locally roasted Panther coffee — but don’t let that stop you seeking out a proper Cuban Coffee at a nearby ventanilla (I asked one of the porters who directed me to one operated out of a supermarket a block over), there’s no other coffee like it. It does take a while to get used to the hi-tech lighting controls.
Bathroom: Stunning — a large rainfall shower, and a tub right by the window. Shaving and dental kits provided. Bathrobe, slippers and East branded jandals also come with the room. Toiletries: Malin Goetz.
Hotel facilities: Four pools (with palm trees) on the fifth floor, also a state-of-the-art gym, basic lobby coffee bar.
Dining: Quinto la Huella is based on one of South America’s finest restaurants Parador La Huella — they import all of their beef, much of their lamb and even the extra virgin olive oil from Uruguay. Highly rated and although I didn’t have a chance to have dinner there, the breakfasts were good. The continental — which came complimentary with the room — was fine, lots of fresh fruit and good pastries. But beware, food is pricey. Online: east-miami.com.
Verdict: A modern, hip hotel in a great location. As an adult getaway or for business this deserves its growing status (it has been voted one of Miami’s top hotels by Conde Nast Traveller).