By: Shayne Benowitz
South Beach transforms into a culinary bacchanal during the last weekend in February.
So you’re coming to Miami for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and trying to decide where to stay. The good news is that just about any hotel in South Beach is walking distance to most of the festival’s parties and events. Need some inspiration? These are our favorite South Beach hotels for foodies, many of which are hosting official festival events and parties.
Loews Miami Beach
Loews Miami Beach is the official hotel of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and it serves as headquarters for the festival’s best parties and many of its celebrity chefs. It’s also a foodie destination in its own right, home to Lure Fishbar by Burger Bash-winning Chef Josh Capon, as well as an impressive cocktail program designed by celebrity mixologist Julio Cabrera.
2019 SOBEWFF Events: Friday’s Oyster Bash hosted by Chef Capon, Saturday and Sunday’s Buddhas & Bellinis yoga class, Sunday’s Southern Kitchen Brunch hosted by Trisha Yearwood and many, many more.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach
The Fontainebleau is home to a juggernaut of crown jewel restaurants, including two by celebrity Chef Michael Mina, Stripsteak and Pizza & Burger; Scarpetta by Scott Conant; and the haute Cantonese London import Hakkasan. Couple that with LIV nightclub and a sprawling poolscape and you’ve got one of the hottest scenes on the beach.
2019 SOBEWFF Events: Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best.
W South Beach
W South Beach is a perennial favorite amongst celebrities for its festive pool and lobby scene, Wall nightclub and Mr. Chow and The Dutch restaurants. The hotel’s impressive contemporary art collection and chic, modern rooms also keep the celebs coming back for more.
2019 SOBEWFF Events: Chicken Coupe hosted by Chef Andrew Carmellini.
Delano
The Delano is one of South Beach’s most iconic hotels. Designed by Philippe Starck to evoke Alice in Wonderland’s journey down the rabbit hole, the lobby boasts pieces by Salvador Dali and Antoni Gaudi. You’ll also find delicious bites at new Argentinean restaurant Leynia, as well as at Umi Sushi & Sake Bar and nightlife at Doheny Room.
2019 SOBEWFF Events: The Delano positions guests at the entrance of the North Beach tent for some of the weekend’s hottest festivities including Italian Bites on the Beach and Burger Bash.
SLS South Beach
Home to The Bazaar by Jose Andres for avant-garde Spanish tapas and Katsuya for mouth-watering sushi in a trendy space, SLS South Beach delivers a foodie knockout. Also designed by Philippe Starck, the hotel presents guests with high-style sensory overload.
2019 SOBEWFF Events: Tastes of Puerto Rico hosted by Jose Andres
The Betsy Hotel South Beach
The newly expanded Betsy Hotel presents a rare colonial architecture style amidst Ocean Drive’s Art Deco District providing a sophisticated retreat in this bustling part of town. With an eye towards art and culture, the hotel also offers impressive culinary delights with LT Steak & Seafood and The Alley, a casual spot for outrageous Neapolitan-style pizza.
2019 SOBEWFF Events: Dinner hosted by Laurent Tourondel of LT Steak & Food and Gilles Epie. The Betsy also positions guests near the entrance to the Grand Tasting Village.
Hyatt Centric South Beach
Located directly across Collins Avenue from Loews Miami Beach, Hyatt Centric South Beach is a lifestyle hotel providing a great, affordable option for accommodations during SOBEWFF. The hotel boasts a sophisticated, yet casual lobby restaurant specializing in Spanish tapas, as well as a charming rooftop plunge pool.
1 Hotel South Beach
1 Hotel South Beach is home to Habitat restaurant by local Chef Jose Mendin, Watr rooftop bar and restaurant and Plnthouse for plant-based, fast-casual cuisine, making it a diverse destination for foodies. The sophisticated, eco-chic décor, lavish poolscape and extra large guestrooms are also a draw.