By the time we arrived in Miami we were looking forward to a great luxury hotel experience - and Delano was just that.

We had booked a non-smoking Deluxe Ocean-front King room on the 5th floor. Delano is chic and stylish and one of the few luxury hotels in Miami to be perfectly positioned, steps from the Ocean, right on South Beach. Our room had a sea view and was all white; and I mean, all-white. Even the M&M’s left on our pillows before bedtime were white, now that’s really cool.

We arrived at around 10pm and booked an al fresco table in the Blue Door Terrace restaurant, overlooking the beautiful art deco garden. It was our first taste of Delano’s exceptional service, which was, from start to (all too soon) finish, outstanding.

The lure of Delano The honest truth is that we never got to do anything other than a spot of shopping. As the English saying goes “even the best laid plans can go astray...” Every time we ventured out and about, the hotel lured us back, like some sort of magnetic force! We decided that what we wanted most of all was to experience the Miami thing - hanging out at Delano! This is the perfect ‘down-time’ hotel with the coolest pool area imaginable; small cabanas with TV’s, a beach bar, giant chess set in the garden and great service with on-tap drinks and scrummy food. At Delano they call these areas the ‘Water Salon and Orchard’. With the temperature just perfect, we chose to while away the hours in this stylish sanctuary, chatting and finishing our books instead of sightseeing. When something feels this good, why fight it?

Delano’s new sister We did manage to pull ourselves away from the Delano for just long enough to visit the amazing, brand new Miami Mondrian, also part of the Morgans Hotel Group. We swapped Delano for Mondrian on West Avenue for pre-dinner drinks on the fabulous concierge’s recommendation. The hotel, a creation by celebrated Dutch designer, Marcel Wanders, had opened just the week before. The reception areas were seriously impressive with a surrealist vibe, and too many WOW factors to list here. Also, its location on the other side of the island from The Delano means the view of downtown Miami was incredible.

We had cocktails in the aptly named Sunset Lounge. A massive rouge Persianstyled carpet, with bright red furniture and red paisley scatter cushions, dominates the space, while curtains flow from each corner. Surrounding this funky Moorish centrepiece are the alcoves for more intimate sessions - very private, though large enough for small gatherings - with a contemporary take on chandeliers providing the illumination. It all sounds very extravagant, but this is Miami!

Lene Bausager

Read the full review and book online at www.luxuryexplorer.com