Arrival/Check-In: Arriving way past midnight, we were still greeted by a friendly valet staff. The entrance was easy to access from the hustle and bustle of famous Collins Avenue. The Gates Hotel South Beach – a DoubleTree by Hilton is an upscale hotel located in the heart of South Beach across the street from the Atlantic Ocean. Convenient to all South Florida offers, the hotel sits only steps from Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive and South Beach’s best dining, shopping, nightlife and entertainment. The hotel is also convenient to the Biscayne Bay Marketplace, Bal Harbour and the Design District — all in a setting where luxury hotels mix with waterfront homes lining the canals that parallel the ocean. Valet parking was easy and convenient. Palm trees, bamboo and lush tropical vegetation lined the walkway to the hotel entrance on the side of the building; and vegetation, the landscape lights and the south Florida breeze created a nice ambience. The lobby offered the same sense of privacy and intimacy as the secluded yet inviting entrance. The eclectic décor added a touch of beachside bungalow, and it felt like home. The spacious lobby area included a casual bar on one side, billiard tables in the center and a casual lounging area on the other side. The front desk staff extended the same warm welcome we received when we drove in. It made a great end to a long day of travel.

Guest Quarters: My suite was on the ground floor and just a corridor away from the lobby. It featured a modern contemporary feel with a touch of South Florida chic. The color palette, the décor and clean lines added a soothing touch. Although compact, the suite still presented a sense of roominess. As I entered, I noticed the bathroom suite to my right held a beautiful vanity and a nice standup shower. Continuing down the hallway, the suite opened up with a super-comfortable king-sized bed with built-in reading lights and nightstands on either side. I found plenty of outlets for my electronic devices. A large window spanning the entire width of the room provided a wonderful view of the canal behind the property. The design and layout of the room allowed easy access to all amenities, including a 42-inch television, mini-fridge and laptop-sized safe. Some guestrooms have patios or balconies, and some offer canal, lake or city views.

PHOTO: © THE GATES HOTEL SOUTH BEACH – A DOUBLETREE BY HILTON

Services/Amenities: Make a point to have breakfast at the on-site restaurant, located at the entrance from Collins Avenue, just behind the valet station. The all-glass front allows natural light and amazing views of the lake and hotels across the street, giving a sense of being outside. The cooked-to-order breakfast was delicious and savory — there’s nothing like a home-cooked meal while away from home! A breakfast buffet also offers the standard breakfast fare mixed with fruit and healthy options.

Other hotel amenities include an outdoor pool with Jacuzzi, fitness center, business center and concierge services. The fitness center offers classes during the week, and K’Alma Spa offers in-room treatments. The hotel boasts three meeting rooms and, from what we were told, live DJ entertainment Friday and Saturday nights.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

◆ Although the hotel is not on the beach, access to the beach across the street was a short and easy walk.

◆ The hotel lies nine miles north of Miami International Airport and 28 miles south of Fort Lauderdale/ Hollywood International Airport and is also close to the Port of Miami and Miami Beach Convention Center.

◆ The Gates Hotel is 100 percent non-smoking, pet-friendly and has 24-hour on-site security.

THE GATES HOTEL SOUTH BEACH — A DOUBLETREE BY HILTON
2360 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
tel 305 860 9444
doubletree3.hilton.com