Cruise Shipping Miami – Day 0

A Look at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach

Monday, March 16, 2015
I’m in the vibrant and very crowded city of Miami, Florida for the cruise industry’s largest annual conference – Cruise Shipping Miami, which kicks off tomorrow with a morning keynote address, followed by the actual conference and trade floor opening. Arriving yesterday, I needed somewhere to stay that would be close enough to the Miami Beach Convention Center, yet which would still be accessible to the beach walk and notable landmarks like Ocean Drive. After all, I can’t spend the whole week in a suit and tie!
Enter the Ritz-Carlton South Beach. I’m already a huge fan of the Ritz-Carlton brand, namely for the uniqueness with which they design every property, and for the exemplary and personalized service their “Ladies and Gentlemen” of the Ritz-Carlton provide their guests.

The exterior of the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, located in the heart of Miami’s South Beach area. Photo © 2015 Aaron Saunders

Designed in the early 1950’s by Morris Lapidus during the height of the postmodernism craze in Miami, the hotel began its life as the DiLido before eventually become the Ritz-Carlton South Beach. Still, aside from the exterior (and the well-preserved original flooring in the hotel lobby), you would never guess this property just crossed its 60^th birthday a few years ago.
Inside the hotel are 375 guest rooms and 41 exquisite suites, all of which were given a substantial makeover during a $10-million refit back in 2012. My own digs for the evening, a Lanai Pool View Room, measures 400 square feet and includes every conceivable comfort, including an enormous marble bathroom featuring a separate shower and tub, separate toilet area, two vanities and sinks, a full working desk, and a spacious closet. Plus, of course, a private balcony overlooking the hotel’s expansive pool area.

Lanai Pool rooms feature gorgeous views overlooking the hotel’s large pool area. Photo courtesy of Ritz-Carlton

One-half of the spacious bathroom. So big, it can’t fit into a single photo! Photo © 2015 Aaron Saunders

Toiletries at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach are, as alway

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