Arrival/Check-In: Arriving at MIA, I picked up my Hertz rental and entered the hotel’s address on the north edge of Ocean Drive, just past the Versace mansion. My route took me north along Ocean Drive, past South Beach’s restaurants and landmarks. The hotel sits across the street, requiring a sharp U-turn to reach the valet stand — a maneuver I jokingly called a “Philly move” and repeated several times during my stay. The valet quickly took my car, and throughout my visit the front desk and parking staff were consistently helpful; my vehicle was always ready for me when I stepped outside. The property, originally the historic Betsy Ross Hotel, underwent a full renovation in 2009. In 2016, the Carlton Hotel was integrated as a wing of the property, creating one combined hotel.
Check-in was friendly and courteous, though a bit slow due to multiple guests arriving at once. Our luggage was delivered to two separate rooms in the Carlton wing, now referred to as the Art Deco Wing, while the original Betsy Ross side is known as the Colonial Wing. Reaching the rooms is part of the experience: from the front desk you walk past the pool to a set of doors on the right and take an elevator up. On your floor you navigate halls — in our case passing a cozy reading room and library — before arriving at the room.
Guest Quarters: I stayed in the mini suite, room 136, which felt comfortable and practical. I set up at a small built-in workstation in the living area. The living space was modest but included a sofa and a TV mounted on the opposite wall (a bit high for ideal viewing). Sliding doors opened to an unexpectedly large porch overlooking an inner courtyard, a space well-suited for events. A short walk from the porch led to an exit onto a side street.
The bedroom contained a large king-size bed and a generous walk-in closet for luggage and clothing, complete with padded hangers and a secure safe. Between the living room and bedroom, the bathroom offered Goetz Peppermint shampoo, cilantro conditioner, and rum-scented hand and body wash. A disposable loofah was tucked behind the product dispensers inside the spacious shower, which featured a powerful showerhead. The single sink and finishes retained a historic character consistent with the property.
Services/Amenities: The staff were attentive and eager to please. We struck up a rapport with Nick, the bartender at the B Bar in the Colonial Wing, and enjoyed dinner there one evening with dishes from the LT Steak & Seafood menu. The grouper and sirloin were both excellent, complemented by handcrafted cocktails and Nick’s witty banter. He encouraged a walk down to the beach — the water was warm and the sand soft underfoot. Breakfast at LT was also enjoyable.
For relaxation, check out the rooftop Ocean Deck bar, and consider a treatment at the Wellness Garden & Spa. The hotel offers sunrise yoga classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 7:30 a.m., which is a pleasant way to start the day.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
◆ The room featured a thoughtfully stocked minibar.
◆ The Betsy enjoys a prime location within walking distance of notable restaurants such as A Fish Called Avalon.
◆ This section of South Beach is ideal for swimming in warm waters and enjoying soft sand.
◆ The hotel actively supports writers and the arts, listing more than 300 artists who have stayed at The Betsy.
The Betsy South Beach
1440 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
tel 305 531 6100
thebetsyhotel.com