EAST, Miami is not for those seeking to hang out at a fancy beachfront property—it’s for those who want to be in the thick of downtown Miami. Situated in the Brickell area, it is a mix of luxury retail, residential, office space and upscale amenities. The hotel’s vertigo-inducing views provide an eagle’s nest vantage point of the city. Accommodations range from 255 rooms, 8 suites and 89 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences, which can be used for overnight stays or longer stays. Residences feature interiors created by New York’s Clodagh Design.
Best bet: For shopaholics, the stylish hotel occupies the top floors of the amazing $1 billion Brickell City Centre, a luxury retail center. It also features a giant pool deck, and the restaurant Quinto La Huella, with a wood fire parilla, a rustic spin-off of Uruguay’s famed Parador La Huella, with some of the best wood-fired steaks you’ll find anywhere. Sugar is a cool rooftop bar and garden, an aerie to enjoy a cocktail and share some Asian tapas. Guests may also grab a freshly brewed coffee, light bite or a glass of wine at Domain, the all-day lobby café and bar.
Visit: 788 Brickell Plaza, Miami, FL; 305-712-7000; www.east-miami.com