Frommer's Review
Upon entering the lobby of this oceanfront Art Deco hotel, you will feel like you've stepped back into the 1940s. Polished wood, original terrazzo floors, and an intimate martini bar add to the fabulous atmosphere that's favored by fashion photographers and production crews, for whom the hotel's fleur-de-lis pool is the favorite subject. In fact, one look at the pool and you'll expect Esther Williams to splash up in a dramatic, aquatic plié. Should you glance quickly inside the dimly lit lobby restaurant, helmed by Eric Ripert of NYC's Le Bernardin fame whose title is "directeur de cuisine" and whose on-site chef, Keith Harry of NYC's Butter, will be providing hearty, fattening fare like chicken stuffed with chorizo and truffle fries, you could swear Dorothy Parker and her fellow round-tablers took a detour from New York's Algonquin Hotel and landed here. Rooms are tidy and efficient (those overlooking the resplendent pool and ocean are the most peaceful), nothing too elaborate, but that's not why people stay here. It's the Raleigh's romantic Deco lure that has people skipping over from the chilly, antiseptic Delano a few blocks up for much needed warmth. And soon, you can expect the Raleigh to be even hotter -- at press time, hip hotelier Andre Balazs (of Los Angeles's Chateau Marmont and Standard hotels fame), the high profile, new owner of the Raleigh, started implementing extensive renovations that will undoubtedly push the hotel back in the limelight as one of the places to be on South Beach yet again. At press time, a Sunday afternoon pool party known as Soiree Sunday, from noon until 10pm, has seen the likes of Balazs' girlfriend Uma Thurman, tennis tart Anna Kournikova, actor Mickey Rourke, and just about every hipster who has ever entered the 33139 zip code.
Facilities:
Restaurant; bar; coffee bar; fantastic large outdoor pool; small open-air fitness center; concierge; business services; 24-hr. room service; massage; overnight laundry service
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
