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Raleigh Hotel
- Price Range:
-
$$$
Sagamore Hotel
- 19 reviews
- Location:
- Miami Beach, FL
"I've only been here a hand full of times, but the Sagamore always seems to get better with every visit. I was here most recently for a…" read more »
31 reviews for Raleigh Hotel
This is, in my opinion, THE place to stay in Miami Beach.
It's historic. It's classy - top of the line Art Deco. It's luxurious. It's right by the beach (you can walk from their pool out the back way onto the beach). Everything is within walking distance. Amenities are excellent, as is the service.
Miami Beach is not a destination for us. But if we need to be in this area, this is my #1 choice. You just know they're going to take good care of you here.
I have two toddlers at home and I went to this hotel with the expectation that I would have a little vacation away from them. However, I quickly discovered that staying at this hotel was like staying a day care with toddlers running the show. I had to ask the staff 5 times before they would do something. They seems to have very little concentration -- I had them place wine bottles in my friend's rooms and gave them cards to go with each bottle. They threw out the cards by mistake. Any time I needed something delivered to the room, it would take them forever to get it there. When we checked in, they did not have our rooms available until 4 hours AFTER the check in time. However, when we were to check out and asked for an additional few hours, they would not let us.
The rooms were small. I had a suite and the windows were dirty overlooking the pool. An expensive room for crappy service. AVOID IT.
What can I say about this landmark that hasn't already been said before? My company threw a reception here recently - everything went smoothly and the staff were well above the high expectations we had in store. It's always a pleasure to visit the Raleigh. Perfectly designed in almost every facet. Still has the best pool in all Miami Beach despite the fact it was built decades ago.
The same question always pops into my head every time I come here: "Why the hell don't I come here more often?" Good design, superb management. My favorite hotel in Miami Beach.
SERENE SANCTUARY IN THE MIDDLE OF SOUTH BEACH
We arrived during a lightning storm and drove up to the front of the majestic art deco Raleigh Hotel. We were quickly greeted by friendly valets who helped us with our luggage and whisked away our rental car.
We were escorted to lobby and were greeted by the front desk clerk. He said, "We are going to upgrade you to an ocean-view room." What a pleasant surprise! We were handed an old-fashioned key and boarded the dark art deco elevator to our room.
We entered our ocean-view room and relaxed immediately. We knew the rooms were going to be small but I was surprised how they maximized the space. The room had some cool features such as, an iPod docking station, flat-screen television, Kiehls bath products, live orchids, free wireless, and dimmer switches on all lighting fixtures. The mini bar was full of temptations such as Grey Goose vodka, wine, chocolates, and more. We opened the windows and took a late afternoon nap enjoying the warm ocean breeze and occasional sounds of thunder.
After our nap, we explored the lobby and outdoor pool area. This has to be one of the most beautiful pools in the world. It has gorgeous sweeping curves and is surrounded by private cabanas and lush greenery. We had a couple of drinks and just soaked up the laid back sophisticated atmosphere with chill out music playing in the background.
We were treated like celebrities during our entire stay and look forward to returning again. The hotel is such a refreshing oasis on the crazy South Beach strip. I recently read The Raleigh was sold; I hope the hotel maintains the same level of service.
This hotel is so sexy, if it doesn't turn you on you should schedule a physical.
Stretched out on a poolside chaise, sipping a frosty pomegranate margarita, you can almost see the ghosts of black-and-white movie stars rubbing elbows with of-the-moment rockers and runway models. The mini-bar is a buffet of temptation and vice: liquor, chocolate, playing cards, condoms, Marb reds, you name it. And that's only the beginning. From the glass-topped dresser to the unmarked, guest-only back entrance and room service that extends all the way out to the beach, the Raleigh nails every last detail.
Yes, it will cost you your 401k. And , no, it isn't over-priced.
So, the hotel personal great.
Hotel decorations cute, retro.
TV. big. but if you have two people sitting on the bed to watch it, both can't really see it because the amoir (sp?) is too big and blocks the view for one of the people.
Furniture, almost to big for the room. Barely any room to put your luggage down and unpack, in fact I didn't even unpack.
Bed. comfy but makes noise when you move a tiny bit.
Bathroom...terribly small, and the feel of claustraphobia!! Especially the shower, if you are slighly overweight you may not even fit...nice.
On the plus side there is a wonderful sand area for lounging around. however I went when the weather was rainy...so that didn't help in the ratings....
I can't believe it's taken until now to proclaim my love for The Raleigh. I've been visiting The Raleigh since high school....so....for quite awhile. A favorite aunt and uncle would bring me here about once a year, through my senior year in college.
While I haven't stayed there since, I frequent the place every time I'm in Miami, which is usually at least once a year. This past week, while in Miami for work, was no exception. I was able to enjoy three long, relaxing meals -- a welcome escape during an immensely frenetic week.
Sitting under a canopy of palm trees with orchids tucked amid their trunks and lanterns dangling from their limbs...all while overlooking one of the most spectacular pools, you forget you're in South Beach (a good thing in my book). It's truly one of the most soothing locales on the planet.
I've always received impeccable service and the staff, always incredibly friendly. I'm a sucker for their soy lattes and oatmeal for breakfast and on my last visit had the most amazing grouper for dinner. The wine list is fantastic and their specialty cocktails are definitely worth a try.
The best part about The Raleigh is it's nothing like the rest of what you find on Collins. It's serene, peaceful, romantic and emits an old school Miami glamour. I will be back.
Oh man, it HURTS me to write this update.
I love the Raleigh. It's where I spent my wedding night, and I got there for my anniversary every year. Last year, I even celebrated my first Mother's Day there. Well, I thought I would do the same this year, but the experience left a bad taste in my mouth.
Here's what happened: My family rolled into the Raleigh for brunch at 11:45. We did not have a reservation, as per last year for Mother's Day we didn't make one (nor have we made one of the zillion other times we've come). When we arrived, we were told we had to sit inside because we did not have a reservation. When I explained to the man that'd we'd been coming for years and never made a reservation in the past, he argued with me and told me that they always require reservations. OK, whatever. Chances are I've been coming there longer than he's been working there--especially since he didn't know the pool was closed last year on Mother's Day, but whatever. I was ready to leave, but my family pressed about getting a table and finally he was able to find one for us outside. When we walked to our seat I noticed, not one, not two, not three, not four, BUT FIVE empty tables outside. When we asked, he explained they had all been reserved. When we asked what time, he said around 1:30/2. Hello, it was 11:45. And we have a 1-year-old. Kids don't last hours at the table. Beyond that, how is is going to take us more than two hours to have brunch? Were they planning on serving us as slowly as humanly possible? Does this guy understand what reservations are even for? Is he aware there is a recession going on and he's turning people away from five empty tables no one will be sitting at for the next two or so hours? OMG.
So, turns out, the table he "found" for us was DIRECTLY IN THE SUN. We didn't just sweat through Mother's Day brunch, we melted through it. It was dreadful. The food was wonderful, but the ambiance was too hot, even for the devil himself. And all the while four other tables in the shade sat empty as could be, even as we were paying the check and walking out the door.
While I appreciate the restaurant "finding" us a table, I hardly appreciate them intentionally giving us the worst one. It's a slap in the face when hotels/restaurants pander to tourists and snub the locals who've supported them since day 1. I'm a long, long-time customer who has used my power of the press to only say good things about the spot. But after this kind of treatment, I don't know if I'll be making the spot my new Mother's Day ritual.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/30/2008
This is my favorite spot in all of Miami Beach. If you want to know why, go for brunch, order the… Read more »
I want to take the Raleigh behind the middle school and get it pregnant.
The pool area is fabulously relaxing, the drinks were delicious, and the Cuban sandwich is something VERY special. I was so chilled out after spending a few hours and many mojito dollars there Saturday afternoon into evening that I had to take a nap... a real nap. That's the kind of pool area I want to knock up.
Hands down, the Raleigh is my favorite place on South Beach. From the pool to the penthouse, it's the pinnacle of laid-back glamour. Everything is relaxed and welcoming. The staff are lovely and the setting evokes all the style and grace of the Art-Deco era .
I've never been blown away by the food but I love - love eating under the lantern-hung trees while looking out over the iconic pool. I love the sandy oasis dotted with seagrapes that stretches towards the beach. The comfy cabanas, the fire-pit, great Mojitos and some of the coolest events - Art Basel, Miami Swim, Chanel Cruise - make the Raleigh just about perfect.
We started off our Saturday morning on the beach having some drinks. We went to the Raleigh hotel to meet up with some friends. The pool and cabanas were beautiful. 6pm came around and we decided to close the tab and start taking showers so we could go out for dinner. When I got my tab, I had an additional $26 ($13 per drink) for the beverages we had initially had in our hands as we got to the hotel. They actually charged us for drinking our drink at the hotel! I thought this was absolutely ridiculous considering the fact that we did buy additional drinks there and lunch! So I complained and got my way, but I had to put up a fight.
Upstairs, the room was pretty small, but the bed and TV were huge and everything was clean.
We went out to dinner and got back around 12 to pick up our car from the valet. It took the valet 1 HOUR to bring our car. They called the front desk saying that the remote wasn't working, but its a brand new car so I knew something was up. We had the valet calling us asking if "there was some kind of trick" to get into the car. By this point we were all pissed off not to mention that no one has apologized for the inconvenience or even allowed us to go get the car ourselves. Finally the car gets there and we check to make sure the gas is at the same level and that nothing was stolen from inside. It seemed ok so we made our way home. The following morning as we go to use the car, we realize they HIT OUR CAR!!!! We called to complain but no one was available to help. I'm NEVER returning here. Front desk was extremely disrespectful and everyone was lost. Way too much money for nothing. Simply RIDICULOUS!
This very expensive hotel has terrible front desk and concierge guest service. I stayed here for 5 days last March and was terrified at the service I was provided given the money I was spending. At least my friends got to enjoy the beach and sun poolside. (Only perk)
The (only) nicest person there was the woman who was doing housekeeping. Everyone else treated me and my friends like we were wasting their time.
I stayed in this hotel for the 4th of July holiday weekend. The hotel is in a great location, very close to the ocean and just far enough away from the South Beach strip for quiet time to sleep at night. The best part of this place is the pool. Best pool area in all of Miami Beach. You can spend all day there. Rooms are very small but clean, staff is friendly and helpful. Breakfast at the hotel is pretty good but pricey. Mixed drinks are also good but VERY pricey. Make sure to look closely at you bill, 18% tip is added in everywhere in Miami. All in all a nice place.
The Raleigh is your spot if you want an old Florida glamour feel, Esther Williams aka the star of The Million Dollar Mermaid used to hit this pool. Chanel hosted it's Cruise Collection here this year and had synchronized swimmers. The annual MIAMI SWIM shows are held here each July.
The outdoor cafe and pool area are beautiful and this summer there is a Friday happy hour.
The Raleigh is a sister hotel to The Standard, so guests can enjoy a world class spa and really great yoga classes, including the H2Om series.
If you're looking for a smaller but just as cool hotel on the beach then stay at The Raleigh.
I stayed here the first week of June in 2008. I'm just getting to this review as I'm looking up hotels in LA and remembered my stay here.
I reserved a room Mon-Wed, as I was visiting friends that had to work during the week and I wanted to enjoy Miami, but be out of their way. I wanted a relaxing hotel with charm and got it.
The room was small, good for 1 person, but more than one would have been cramped. My bed was comfortable. The a/c turned off but the staff fixed it quickly. Breakfast by the pool was great, but limited selection...quality over quantity. My cappuccino was amazing! I asked for nonfat, but it tasted full fat. I confirmed w/ them that they did not make a mistake...just well done!
The pool and beach were perfect. Lots of seating of loungers and those bed things. I have never been so relaxed. Keep in mind this was early week, but I bet the pool area is great in the evening with a fuller crowd.
Close to everything!
Star off for the dark elevator and small room. I couldn't see after coming in from the bright sun!
Very charming Art Deco property ideal for couples. Stayed here for a night in celebration of The Sexiest Man Alive's birthday. I'd forgotten it was hurricane season.
Our room wasn't ready when we arrived, so we checked our bags and took a stroll to Espanola Way, where we enjoyed the perfect rainy day breakfast at French eaterie, A La Folie. Front desk staff was sure to phone us just as our room became available an hour later; when I didn't answer their first, second, and third calls-- my ringer was off-- they didn't hesitate to make the fourth, fifth, and sixth calls. In succession. Now that's customer service?
We didn't get to pop wheelies on the Raleigh-branded Schwinn cruisers, or sing in the rain under the canopy of Raleigh-branded umbrellas, but we rather enjoyed having the property's legendary pool to ourselves, and indulging in a little poolside libation and fare; the margarita pitcher hit the spot, and the Kobe sliders and tuna taco chasers were supremely succulent and refreshingly well-seasoned, respectively.
So the elevators are dark and the rooms are a touch small-- such "flaws" only serve to compound the charm.
Nice location and architecture.
Rooms were small, but that goes with the art-deco era building. The bathroom (also small) was too cute to be useful. The shower had only a partial glass divider, leading to a flooded bathroom floor after every use. Not cool.
Had my wallet/phone stolen from the beach right in front of the Raleigh staff, leading me to believe it wasn't a coincidence. A complete lack of direction on the beach protocol, and no signage between the beach and hotel. No sign on the passageway to the hotel. Pretty confusing.
Without notice, the entire pool area was closed to the public for a private party, which created bedlam in the lobby.
Not worth the cash, for certain.
Oh hi this is my favorite hotel in all of Miami Beach (my other reviews say the same thing. Basically any hotel on Collins is A+).
For starters, let me make something as clear as possible: Everyone (with the exception of maybe 2%) who frequents the Raleigh is drop dead gorgeous. I'm not just talking pretty face or a fancy hand bag. I'm talking this is where the women who get photographed in W magazine come to hang out. It's hard to compete. The bathrooms look like the backstage of a runway show during Fashion Week, not joking! Make sure you pack your monogrammed luggage set that was designed by Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton with your best and most amazing outfits and shoes. I'm so serious.
Ok, what else? Party, party, party.
The cafe is amazing, but the real action is down by the pool. There's a great DJ booth right behind the pool, and the entire time we were there (2 nights) they were playing the best music ever.
There are plenty of spots to run around and frolic at the Raleigh. Be careful if you're wearing stilettos and want to go towards the fire pit area, as it's very sandy and can ruin your shoes.
1 additional star for the 3AM models who decided it would be fun to start a trend and get into the pool naked. Ten minutes later and there were like thirty people in that thing! The next day we found out our friends (who we didn't even know were in town) took part in that action! Quite a site...
Here's my formula for a perfect Sunday in South Beach:
1. Roll out of bed around noon.
2. Head to Nikki Beach for their buffet style brunch/lunch. Enjoy the food, have a few drinks, and soak in the scene.
3. Power nap
4. Then it's off to the Raleigh hotel for the best Sunday chill scene in South Beach - bar none.
When you roll, say what's up to DJ Danny Stern and DJ Tavin. DJ Danny Stern spins during the day shift and Tavin takes over in the evening. They lay down some seriously chill house beats. I could go to the Raleigh just to hear them spin.
Beautiful ambiance with a surreal pool set against a beach bonfire.
Drinks are expensive, but not ridiculous for Sobe. Waitresses are saucy and usually pretty friendly. As far as the crowd, I can honestly say that I've had a few good conversations (for South Beach that says a lot). PLUS, they actually have places where you can sit down and not get harrassed to have bottle service.
If the main bar is too crowded, there's a smaller bar near the back of the hotel. Head there and you'll have no probs.
VERY IMPORTANT: When you go to restaurants and nice places like this in Miami, tip is AUTOMATICALLY included even when you buy a single drink at the bar (to a clip of 18% at that). Thank you non-tipping Europeans!
*Didn't stay here, WMC only*
Love the sandy, cabana-y, palm tree-y "backyard" area. Take your shoes off and dance with unbridled abandon!
If someone asked me where they should go for the quintessential, subdued yet memorable Miami experience, I would direct them to this spot.
After a trip full of nouveau-hip-style bars, hotels, and restaurants (which were all rad in their own right), I finished my trip sitting amongst the lush gardens at The Raleigh. Could not have chosen a better way to wrap up the Miami Beach experience.
The Raleigh is classic and refined, but fully outfitted for modern day luxury. The cafe/restaurant is a throwback to the gilded age of Miami, which reminded me of classic spots in Los Angeles: lots of rattan, kerosene lamps, deco, and a spiffy little coffee shop in the corner of the lobby with one mean-looking oatmeal raisin cookie. The staff were super cool and super classy, bedecked in their black pants, white shirts with the sleeves rolled up and black ties.
I ate lunch here on the last day of my trip. It wasn't an over the top affair, and yet at the end of it all I realized I'd spent an hour and a half soaking in the atmosphere, chatting with the staff, sipping my coffee and eating my meal. I was by myself, yet fully engaged by the atmosphere. The surroundings and the food were fresh and timeless.
The Scene: Live DJ playing hottest the Euro techo/house poolside. I am sitting in a well-cushioned 22-ft table draped in a heavy white cloth. The table seats are occupied by 8 guys (2 are pro athletes which I will allow to remain anonymous), and 26 or more of Miami's most beautiful. I am in a sea of gorgeous smiling faces. I lean back to take it all in. Life is good.
On our table...placed every 5 feet apart are bottles of vodka on ice surrounded by various mixers. The weather is perfect - a clear starlit sky and steady cool breeze- and conversation is playful, witty, and full of laughter. The party gods are shining upon us all. "If the heavens above were on earth, this would be it," I say to myself. "No", she whispers into my ear.
(Mina...a perfect Miami beauty of Peruvian and Cuban origin - a model of physical perfection...literally). Her mouth now whispering less into my ear, and more towards my lips... "No, Geno, this is Raleigh." "Ahhhh-ha,"I say.
An hour and a half later, we're off to SET to take the partying to the next level. Bottle service of course..6 guys 24 models (the 2 couples missing -- undoubtedly the casualties of lust). Life in Miami is grand.
PROS - Beautiful people ...of course. Great music! Good vibe and a good place to mingle and network.
CONS: Only 1 - Stairs to Restrooms combined with not so sober patrons and potentially wet shoes from pool surrounds or rain...umh...not so much a good mix.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars, deducting 1 star because the restrooms are located up a set of not-so-well-lit stairs in a concrete-gazebo-like pool house structure - not at all designed with intoxicated-patrons in mind. Also, the restrooms are kept clean by an attendant, BUT they falter in aesthetic value BIG TIME, especially when compared to other SoBe pool-featuring hotel clubs on like Delano..etc...
DISCLAIMERS: My good friend responsible for putting together and hosting the evening is one of the area's top promoters, so everything was complimentary (comp'd). This means I am unable to speak to pricing. (My money was no good here...they wouldn't even allow me to TIP!)
If you are looking for old school art deco, restored to perfection, the Raleigh is the place for you. Check out a photo of the pool under my profile - you can almost see Esther Williams in a black and white suit, lounging on a divan. Almost. But then you realize this is Andre Balazs modern luxury and snap out of it. Enjoy Kiehl's products in the showers (in your room and poolside), a fantastic Cuban cafe for breakfast, old school "lifeguard" shack grill for lunch and Pullman style bar for a mojito before hitting the town. If you are looking for the packed boom-boom energy of the Delano, this is not your place. Less stuck up than the Shore Club, much more South Beach than the Ritz, the Raleigh is a gem.
All I can say is 'wow', what a cool back side that place has. Lobby done up art deco to a tee. But then you walk to the back and there's a partial outdoor cafe/restaurant and beyond that is a pool that recedes about half a foot all along the rim, then it drops off further, like 9 ft..... AND THEN, there's more sand a cabanas beyond the pool. The hotel itself only takes up about 1/4 of the property. The back pool and beach area is where it's at. Was there last night for a writer's party thrown on behalf of the Miami Book Fair. One of the visiting writers took off his pants and jacket and jumped in the water. This was at about 11pm at night. No body joined him unfortunately. Way to keep it real though, mah mann!!
Okay, so this is like one of those useless "I was only there for the WMC" reviews, but... if you ever have the chance to party on the roof of the Raleigh or hear Justice rock the decks, make like Nike and just do it.
I LOVE this hotel. It is super cute. Very sweet staff. The rooms can be small, typical of the deco period, but the suites are great. They have one of the best pools I have EVER been in - FILTERED WATER! No chlorine! It was delightful. And it's right in the heart of everything, of course.
Aug 1 2007: dinner
So it was the first night in Miami for my boyfriend and me. We had just finished checking in to our hotel and didn't know what we were going to do for dinner. We ended up at the restaurant at Raleigh hotel, which was right next to ours. We walked in and didn't really know where the restaurant was. Past the lobby, there were tables set up but there wasn't anyone at the Host's desk. After wandering around, a server saw us and sat us outside. I figured, what the heck, everyone else was sitting outside despite the heat and humidity. I was actually more worried about bugs and mosquitoes, especially since there were so many plants and trees out there. It was really dark, very romantic.. a bit secluded. It was so dark (from the large trees shading you, it was night time, and the only lights were the ones from the hotel and the little candle on your table), it was difficult to read their small menu. Every time I tried to order a dish, our server would tell us they were out of it. it would have been a lot nicer if he told me that from the get go. We ended up ordering their Ceviche (14.00) and their Spicy Beef Salad (14.00) to start off. The ceviche was really sour from what I remember. The spicy beef salad was pretty spicy but it was really good.
I ended up getting the Pesto Pasta (21.00), which was alright. The shrimp and squid that were on it were over seasoned and too salty. The pasta was a kind I had never experienced before. It was rolled up, about 2 inches long, and half an inch diameter. The pasta was bland, which made up for the seafood being too salty. My boyfriend ordered the snapper, because they ran out of salmon. The fries (7.00) were delicious though. They were skinny, lightly seasoned, and sprinkled with parsley, kind of like the ones at Nick and Stef's Steakhouse in downtown LA. They automatically added 17% gratuity (15.47) and our bill came out to $116.05.
The outdoor bar at Hotel Raleigh offers something for everyone. Went on a Sunday with one of my friends and was told locals frequent on Sundays. The bar is chic chic but, still laid-back enough to escape a grand snob factor. There is something for everyone with multiple areas: a deck area, pool area, and beach/sand area with a bonfire going. People are laid-back yet trendy and drinks are average-priced. I can't begin to describe the awesome vibe that is present. Definately a great place to go and hang out.
i started staying here because i am such a fan of the mercer hotel in soho. i booked a solo trip to south beach over the 4th of july weekend on a whim because i needed to get the hell out of boston. i was overjoyed that the raleigh had rooms available because the last time i stayed on south beach i unfortunately had to waste my money at the shore club, which is probably the biggest joke of a hotel ever...there is something truly wonderful about the way andre balazs' hotels make you feel. the level of service and attention to detail is perfect without feeling pretentious, and the staff is interesting and friendly.
AND THE POOL.....
the pool is fantastic. i cannot even begin to tally the hours i've spent sipping strawberry mojitos/reading/dozing off by the pool. the guests of this hotel come to the pool to relax rather than make a scene which is so refreshing and unique. the one complaint that i have is that on the weekends, crazy loud techno is blared through speakers in the pool area...but hey, it's south beach, crazy loud techno seems to be the norm here. oh and sometimes there are hammocks in the back of the pool area which are perfect for a mid afternoon post-beach snooze.
i've never had a bad room here. i could go on to talk about how great the bed is, how soft the robes are, how comfortable the sitting area is...or basically how perfect EVERYTHING is here, but i wont. go to south beach and experience it for yourself, it is totally worth the splurge.
I loved the Raleigh- the outdoor cafe is wonderful, the service was great, and the food was delicious. The pool is great and the beach set-up is great. Comfy lounge chairs, fluffy towels, and huge umbrellas so if you burn instantly like I do, you can hide out. The gift shop is also great with reasonably priced souvenirs for those at home.
I had an amazing experience at the Raleigh. Just a few doors down from the Delano and beachfront, within walking distance to Lincoln Av. and tons of restaurants, this hotel has a prime location. It is a classic art deco hotel that has been beautifully maintained. The hotel is situated in a very lush area, while most of the hotels are exposed to the street, the Raleigh is set back in a private drive. The staff is extraordinarily friendly and attentive. They are there to please you. I never heard the word "no" throughout my stay--in fact, what I heard the most was "we will accommodate you". They even sent a hair stylist up to my room at short notice for a last-minute hair cut and style. The back area with the pool and restaurant is super lush and tropical with an upscale feel. The rooms are on the small side, but it's an art deco hotel in South Beach. They have a fully stocked mini bar, full of beer, wine, liquor, snacks and Smart Water, plus all the little extras. I loved the decor in the room and they had an iPod player and Kiehls toiletries. Plus, all of the guests are beautiful people! You really can't go wrong with this hotel.


