Miami town is buzzing because of 2 hot new hotels
Chances are, your recent trips to Miami did not include a stay or stop in Surfside. But your next one should. The under-the-radar seaside town tucked between ritzy Bal Harbour to the north, and bustling Miami Beach to the south, is having a moment thanks to two hot new hotels.
A Surfside stay gets you access to the same gorgeous aqua blue stretch of the Atlantic Ocean as South Beach, but with room to breathe. You’re still just a cab ride away from nightlife should you crave it, but Surfside’s laid-back allure is enough for those looking to relax in a unique, quirky beach town.
Shorefront hotels sit on Collins Ave., while most of the shopping and restaurants are a block away on Harding Ave.
A must for breakfast or lunch is Josh’s Deli (9517 Harding Ave.; joshsdeli.com) While the chef/owner grew up in New York and the spot makes its own bagels daily and meats and fish are cured, smoked and/or roasted in-house, comparisons to a traditional Jewish deli end there.
That’s because new, inventive dishes rule here, from “Krunchy spicy tuna latkes” with sriracha cream cheese ($13) to “Lobster Jewchachos” with mole, lobster, avocado salad, cheese and overeasy eggs ($19).
For dessert, head a block south to Serendipity Creamery & Yogurt Cafe (9457 Harding Ave.; serendipitycreamery. com). Its two dozen made-fromscratch flavors of ice cream and sorbet — from Pear Riesling to Breakfast Cereal or Pecan Pie — would tempt anyone. As an added bonus, the frozen sweets shop uses organic ingredients whenever possible, is certified kosher, and incorporates ingredients from local farms and artisans.
After stuffing yourself, take a stroll to Turtle Walk (93rd St. between Collins and Harding Aves.; visitsurfsidefl.com). This public art initiative features 13 fiberglass turtles, each five feet tall and colorfully decorated by local artists. Designed to bring awareness to sea turtle conservation, they’re all stamped with a plaque detailing the turtles’ and artists’ names.
Pose for pictures with the “Turtle of Love,” by artist Sandra Suarez, whose belly boasts red hearts; or Surfside Sheldon, by Marcy Grosso, who’s decked out in tropical plant prints.
Follow Turtle Walk towards the ocean and you’ll end up at the Community Center (9301 Collins Ave.), which is more fancy than it sounds. Open to all Surfside tourists and residents, there’s a huge pool with lanes for laps and a slide, an impressive children’s activity pool, jacuzzi, table tennis and a roster of activities.
Don’t leave Surfside without stopping in the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, which just opened in March. With rates starting at $500 a night, most can’t afford to stay but that doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate the glamour. Founded in 1930, The Surf Club was a social club that drew everyone from Frank Sinatra to Dean Martin and Elizabeth Taylor for its poolside fashion shows, galas and black-tie boxing nights. When the Four Seasons bought The Surf Club in 2012, the luxury hotel company shut down the property for renovations.
Fast forward to 2017 and the Four Seasons has added 77 guest rooms, a spa, water sports and more. Head straight to the back to Le Sirenuse Champagne Bar, which was once the ballroom and the center of action