Story By: Erin Zollars and Sol Tucker
Photos By: Sol Tucker and East Miami
Miami, FL–
We must admit, Miami has finally found an address that has wowed us away from the beach, yes that’s right, it’s time to take our talents to Brickell!
When we first heard about the EAST Miami from one of our readers, we knew Brickell was the new hot spot for a few months, but didn’t realized how much it had evolved like its neighbor Wynwood. The first of its kind in the United States, this luxury property begs you to find another place you would want to stay, dine, or relax, and never have the need to leave.
They say all great starts must have a foundation, correct? Upon entering the EAST lobby the upbeat energy will pull you in. With an amazing small intimate bar to the left and large ceilings with walls packed with stone and trees your mood will immediately be elevated. The outdoor elements are taken from the design of the EAST hotels in Hong Kong and Beijing. Throughout the hotel, you will see natural wood and stone design, beautifully handmade furniture, and art. While it pays homage to its Chinese roots through clean and spare design, it also draws on Miami’s reputation as a cultural melting pot with international influences ranging from South American cuisine to a Bali-inspired rooftop bar. They even went local in the design aspect when they selected local artist Alejandro Mijares to create a mural on the walls of a central staircase. The whole vibe is fresh, relaxing, and full of energy after the sun goes down.
While our staff has always been a huge fan of technology in hotels, this one is nothing short of that with its touch screen navigation. If you plan on using of the East Hotels four elevators, let the kiosk tell you where you are going. No more confusion or wondering which elevator is yours. The floor plan and all of the destinations within the hotel are all right at your fingertips. Whether it’s a quick workout, or a night out, or a trip to the adjoining luxury retailers, all the connections come from your fingertips.
If the main reason you are here is to unwind in luxury you will not be disappointed. The hotel’s 352 rooms are just the answer. If you like Miami and feel the need to move, then perhaps one of their 89 residential suites equipped with full kitchens, laundry and up to three bedrooms would be a short term solution. Rooms are contemporary yet comfortable, with plush, upholstered sofas in earthy tones with subtle pops of orange. Accent walls behind the beds are shimmering representations of the sun reflecting on water for an appropriately Zen aesthetic, while floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious balconies reveal panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and the Brickell skyline.
Many people give a luxury hotel a make or break grade when it comes to the bathroom. This bathroom design are one of the memorable ones. If you want to bask in the morning sunrise while overlooking the vast buildings of downtown Miami and see the ships coming in from the Port of Miami, this is your spot. Just use the remote shades in case you don’t want to share your morning looks with others in their offices.
We liked the cascading showers with the rich wall colors. Not only a refreshing showering, EAST hotel is LEED certified, so all of the water pressure and lighting is regulated over time. An environmentally focused luxury hotel.
Each one of the corner Kings have amazing views and an outstanding balcony that is refreshing oany time of day or night. The height of the EAST hotel will allow a gentle breeze coming from all angels of the waterways below. Whether you are dining at their amazing restaurant Quinto La Huella, which we will detail in another feature, or a night at Sugar their rooftop bar, the opportunity of fresh Miami air will find your skin and lungs. This breath of fresh air accommodations is just what you need for business or pleasure.
One of the best features of the hotel is the impressive swimming deck with two pools, a hot tub and cold plunge pool. Lounging chairs, lush greens, and full service food and cocktail menus will have you relaxing around the deck. There is an adjacent shaded bar that is open day and evening. In the evening, many diners will continue their EAST experience, leaving Quinto La Huella to enjoy the outside bar with the lapping sounds of the pool.
For those who somehow can add a daily regimen of working out, their BEAST fitness facility is first class. The BEAST is what they want you feel like when you leave. Okay, it really stands for Body By East, but let’s face it, everyone wants to look and feel good in Miami right? They have everything to complete a different workout each day. A great mixture of free weights with speedbags and ropes make it very simple to live your life just as you do at home, or in this case better than you do, because this doesn’t involve driving to the gym. The little dinosaur statue, T-Rex to be exact by the door will remind you that strong is the new sexy. This place will have you feeling as dominating as a T-Rex and on fire with energy when you leave, ready to tackle anything coming your way.
Lastly, we can’t forget about the lavish meeting space EAST has to offer. If you are looking to host your next group gathering, this is your place. EAST Miami offers 20,000 square feet of versatile function rooms and outdoor venues suitable for any type of event. All of the spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows, complimentary WiFi access, the latest audio-visual equipment, and technical support.
Located on the 39th floor, their vast 3,300 square foot ballroom, known as The Crush, offers 270 degrees of ocean and urban views. The 38th floor houses two 1,600 square foot event spaces, Rise and Set, along with an 850 square foot boardroom, High Noon.
As you will see for yourself, the EAST Miami has something for everyone. Luxury shopping attached to the hotel such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Prada, Armani, just to name a few and even additional dining options, we are not sure why anywhere else would be an option. EAST is going to be making waves of its own over the next few years and we must say we are glad they decided to bring the high-end property from overseas to the United States.
The EAST Miami is located in heart of Brickell at
788 Brickell Plaza, Miami, Florida 33131, United States
Reservations can be made online at www.east-miami.com or by calling 305 712-7000
