Arrival/Check-In: Miami in August can be an exhausting experience, with heat and the associated stormy weather keeping things “interesting.” At the end of my flight into Miami, we were treated to an aerial view of a large thunderstorm. I was happy to get to the Blue Moon after a full day of work and an evening of travel. The South Beach property is not hard to find, but with a lack of street signage it is best to know the cross streets and where exactly to stop. Two friendly employees greeted me as I arrived. Alexis checked me in, and his colleague, David, showed me to my room. I have rarely experienced more welcoming service.

Guest Quarters: My room was on the first floor of a building adjoining the one that houses the lobby and bar. I later learned it was previously a separate property called the Merv Griffin, owned by the man himself. The room was cozy without being cramped. The décor matched the Art Deco exterior of the hotel; a large, blue moon above the headboard of the bed dominated the room. A long desk served as my workstation for the few days of my stay, and the room included a small fridge, a minibar and a Keurig brewing system. The recent renovation of the hotel was most obvious in the spacious bathroom.

Services/Amenities: The Blue Moon offers a full bar, a restaurant with poolside seating and a delicious menu, as well as a lounge with seating on the front patio overlooking Collins Avenue. There is no on-site gym, but the property has agreements with several local gyms for those inclined to exercise indoors. For fans of running, the hotel offers a perfect location a block from Ocean Drive and the Atlantic, in the heart of the South Beach Art Deco district. Guests can choose from a huge selection of restaurants and clubs for nightlife on Collins and Ocean as well. Parking is by valet, and a call ahead worked perfectly for my car to be parked around the corner from the front door, as the surrounding streets were under construction during my visit.

South Beach is the place to see and be seen, and there is no better place than Lincoln Road, an outdoor mall less than a mile from the Blue Moon, where high-end shops mingle with a wide variety of dining options. Beachgoers can visit the stores closest to Collins Avenue for last-minute needs as well as souvenir trinkets.

The Experience: An Autograph Collection Hotel, Blue Moon offers excellent service and a pleasant experience. The proximity to the beach and Lincoln Road and easy access to my meetings in the city made my stay an enjoyable one. I would gladly return to the Blue Moon during my next visit. However, if it is for business, perhaps it will have to be during the winter months to avoid the Miami heat.

GT CHECKLIST

[checklist]
[item check=yes]Doorman/valet[/item]
[item check=yes]Less than 10 minutes for check-in[/item]
[item]Separate tub and shower[/item]
[item]Large vanity[/item]
[item check=yes]High-quality towels[/item]
[item check=yes]Powerful, unattached hair dryer[/item]
[item check=yes]High-quality bed linens[/item]
[item check=yes]Large, flat-screen television[/item]
[item check=yes]Large desk with convenient outlets[/item]
[item check=yes]Large, complimentary laptop safe[/item]
[item check=yes]Complimentary in-room WiFi[/item]
[item check=yes]Complimentary bottled water[/item]
[item check=yes]Stocked minibar[/item]
[item check=yes]Ample lighting[/item]
[item check=yes]In-room coffeemaker[/item]
[item check=yes]Iron and ironing board[/item]
[item check=yes]On-site restaurant[/item]
[item check=yes]24-hour room service[/item]
[item]24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center[/item]
[item check=yes]Turn-down service[/item]
[/checklist]

Blue Moon Hotel

944 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
tel 305 673 2262
autograph-hotels.marriott.com