"Chris Blackwell's legendary Miami hotspot for super-rich socialites, this Art Deco boutique is uber-dramatic and achingly chic."
Built in 1937 by legendary Art Deco architect F. Murray Dixon, The Marlin of today retains the original wraparound eyebrows and regal patio on its three-story exterior. The interior transformation of some 15 years ago that made it into one of the noteworthy revived South Beach boutique hotels has also seen an equally changed neighborhood and made The Marlin home to a very different guest following. Brought back by entertainment mogul Chris Blackwell as a Miami haven for the recording and music industry, The Marlin nowadays has new owners again but retains a heavy music and entertainment presence.
Design and mood reflect that throughout. Black and white dominates the reception and front lounge areas, then you step down into the recently renovated bar area where deep red tones and intimate seating at the end of a very long bar comes alive daily as the Rex Bar. This is the staging ground for some of the most eclectic musical and social happenings to be found in South Beach, along with expert drink and snack concoctions that keep the energy humming into the wee hours.
The rooms
Each of the Marlin’s 11 capacious suites are somewhat unique in design from the rest. We were most fortunate enough to have the Marlin’s current co-proprietors Chris and Evan provide us a first night’s stay in the former third-floor residence of entertainment mogul Chris Blackwell’s 1,600 square foot, third-story loft (now rechristened as the Blackwell Suite). All the other suites are either studio, one or two bedroom configurations and there is even a honeymoon suite.
Since it still caters heavily to an international entertainment crowd, all The Marlin’s suites are wi-fi and communications wired to the max, but there is also plenty of desk space to work at in each. You can also expect hardwood floors, fans, sleek stainless kitchens, fridges bountifully stocked for at least a small-sized party, large bathrooms, and tons of well-positioned lighting. The large bathrooms make it actually possible to move around easily without colliding against unfamiliar fixtures.
The overall layout of The Marlin’s guest suites is clearly designed for those who don’t require onsite access to some of the more general travel frills - spas, grand dining rooms, shops. The idea here is to access your own - which are plentiful enough to discover along this area of Collins Avenue - and then treat The Marlin as your intimate hideaway.
Star rating:
Address: 1200 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida, United States, 33139
View rooms
Address: 1200 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida, United States, 33139
Rates from:
USD 175.00
Booking info
Arrival:
Fri 17 Oct 2008
Departure: Sat 18 Oct 2008
No. adults: 2
Departure: Sat 18 Oct 2008
No. adults: 2
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Come for
- The happening DJ bar
- Discreet housekeeping who are never where they shouldn't be
- Reception - which gets to know you quickly and can point you to just about whatever you need, whenever you need it
Not suitable for
- Pool people: you'll have to make do with the Atlantic across the street
- People who are impressed by acres of lobby space
Awards
Boutique Hotel Award, Miami's Best Hotels, Luxury Hotels of the US
Eating in
While The Marlin is still in the planning stages of opening a full-service onsite restaurant, they already offer some tasty items after-hours over at the Rex Bar. For instance, the Sunday serving of Jamaican jerk chicken washed down with Red Strip beer. Otherwise, they can order out a wide variety of cuisine for you from any number of neighboring food establishments
