Soho Beach House

Ultra-cool Miami outpost of members' club Soho House, in 1940’s Art Deco conversion: vintage Cuban glamour meets contemporary chic

"Lazy Cow!" the label of my Cowshed bath gel comments cheekily, as I step into the soaking tub in my breezy, ocean view room. With a smug nod, I sink into the warm water and close my eyes, humming to the jazzy tunes that blend in with the sound of clinking ice cubes from the G&T I am holding, prepared by my private on-call bartender.

Located on a quiet corner off Miami’s Mid-Beach, 20 blocks north of glitzy South Beach, this brand-new (2010) boutique hotel feels light and luxurious, yet cosy and unpretentious. It was created from the former Sovereign Hotel, plus a new tower addition which houses 4 floors of rooms. Wonderful views and curated with the genius of a seasoned bric-à-brac collector, South American antiques, vintage paraphernalia and funky art are mixed beautifully with vibrant textiles to create a retro-modern ambiance; a far cry from the white-on-white, fluorescent stereotypes of Miami hotels.

Daytime at the Beach Club, we attempt to blend in with the hip, chiselled, sun-kissed crowd (top tip, try spray tan), getting there early to bag a beach bed. Later, we enjoy a yoga class, a facial in the heavenly Cowshed spa, and a pre-release Hollywood movie. And in the evening, dinner in the courtyard Italian restaurant Cecconi's is perfectly rounded off by a Cuban cigar and devilish Mojito on the rooftop terrace, with its adult-only plunge pool and stunning ocean views where you can rub shoulders with media-industry club members, sun-seeking New Yorkers and British couples. Marvellous.

Highs

• Beautiful white sandy beach and stunning emerald sea
• The magical atmosphere of the tree-shaded courtyard with its antique, green stripped tiles and fairy lights
• Heavenly sleeps in comfy beds; the 49 quiet, spacious rooms are filled with retro furniture
• Fabulous cooked breakfasts, including scrumptious ricotta pancakes with berry compote
• The hotel brings culture to Miami: art exhibitions, readings, wine & cigar clubs, screenings...
• Children under 12 are free, great to find a family friendly yet stylish hotel

Lows

• Child central on the weekends - local club members and their offspring flock here and hold the beach and pool hostage, so forget doing those laps
• Expensive but you get plenty of play opportunities with screening snug, restaurant, bar, pools, spa...
• Elevators, though gorgeously decorated with pale blue leather padding, are so slow you wonder if they are operated manually
• Though it looks lush, the lawn is fake
• You're not allowed to take photos at the hotel - so no holiday shots from this stay
• The local club membership is great value, but compromises the hotel's exclusivity - reception was often packed to the brim with local club members queuing to sign in...