The Tides, Miami South Beach, FL ****
Dec 1st, 2007 by Håkan
This is the Diva of Ocean Drive.
If you look ‘art déco’ up on Google, it won’t take you long before you’ll find Lawrence Murray Dixon. He’s the architect behind many of the classic art déco buildings in Miami South Beach. The Tides opened in 1936 and in no time it became the playground for the Britneys and the Justins of the Thirties. In 1997 the hotel was in serious need of a total makeover. When it was bought by Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, 115 rooms quickly turned into 45, all of them with a view of the ocean and a voyeur’s dream – pair of powerful binoculars on a tripod, so that hotel guests could keep an eye on who was wearing a bathing suit and who was not. Just remember to book the 6th to 8th floors if you want to have an unbstructed view of the ocean (the pic above was taken from the 6th floor).
The Tides is good. In fact it’s very good.
The Tides means very good, very competent and swift service in a classic hotel environment. The guy in the bar knows how to mix anything that contains hard liquor. The restaurant, 1220 at The Tides, is hardly exciting but still… competent. The people manning the reception knows how to treat a guest. The bell boys carry my 35 kilogram trunk with a smile. That’s the way it should be, because The Tides is not a cheap accomodation. Not even during the less busy season.
Stay at the Tides. Party elsewhere.
This is a hotel that is aging with dignity. It’s not a place for celeb-spotting (even though comedian Damon Wayans is checking in at the same time as me). It’s not crowded and busy and loud as the Victor or the Pelican next door. But to stay at The Tides and walk half a block to rub shoulders with the loud crowd is not a bad option. Not at all.
NOTE: Those who visited The Tides before early 2007 will enter a completely new lobby/restaurant designed by Kelly Wearstler. Is it any better? Well it’s definitely a more cosy atmosphere these days but… it’s not the same. I really liked the old Tides. Maybe it’s just me getting old.
Tides South Beach
1220 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139
United States
+1-305-604-5070
Book The Tides Hotel at tablethotels.com
