Drinking and rowdy beach behavior are traditional parts of US Spring Break, an annual rite of passage for American students who swarm the golden sands of Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean for the occasion.
However, what options are there for families in this part of the world if spring break vacation appeals but la vida loca life (i.e. the crazy life) does not?
Here’s one of the most enticing, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, located right on the doorstep of the trendy bars and restaurants that line Miami Beach’s Art Deco district, and where spring parties can get intense.
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach is a tempting spring break option in Miami Beach—without the hype. Pictured is the cozy hotel pool.
Pictured: The terrace of a Latin American restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Fuego Y Mar.
Upon arrival at The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, James was presented with two coconuts (left). A sure sign that heaven is near. The little guests were greeted by a turtle made of chocolate and cookies.
We are heading there in 2021. At the time, the mask requirement was lifted and the main street, Ocean Drive, was closed to traffic (now open to one-way traffic), meaning partygoers could disperse. This meant the city was able to throw an even bigger party than in previous years on the neon-lit boulevards.
But just a couple of blocks north, on the corner of Lincoln Road and Collins Avenue, everything was serene and luxurious at the Ritz-Carlton, gleaming from a recent $90 million renovation.
The hotel occupies one of the Art Deco buildings that Miami is famous for, with crisp white lines set against a clear blue Florida sky.
The hotel warmly welcomed my family and me when we arrived for a few days of rest and relaxation. A huge seating area greets guests as they enter the main entrance with the classic Lapidus Cocktail Bar located at the back of the lobby.
The Ritz-Carlton is one of the Art Deco buildings that Miami is famous for, with crisp white lines set against a clear blue Florida sky.
The imposing lobby impresses all guests arriving at the South Beach Hotel.
Party in Paradise: Miami Beach, pictured, is a popular spring break pilgrimage.
Party people (and seagulls) enjoy Miami Beach on the weekend of March 11 this year.
Coming of Age: Spring Break is a rite of passage for college students in America
All 376 rooms are carefully designed with wooden flooring. Bathrooms with double sinks and marble floors add to the opulence, and thankfully, during this busy period, improved soundproofing meant I didn’t hear anything from the parties and revelers on the streets outside.
It should be noted that not all rooms face the ocean. I was really surprised that my room didn’t have a balcony or an ocean view. I was under the impression that most rooms in Miami Beach should only face one way.
However, I was able to get a bigger room and after weighing whether I would have a balcony overlooking the sea, pool and beach, or extra space for a family of four, the place won.
Upstairs, by the pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, there is plenty of seating – sun loungers and daybeds – and the water heats up to a pleasant 90F so you feel like you’re stepping into the warmest bath when you step in.
View of Miami Beach from the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, which is located on the corner of Lincoln Road and Collins Avenue.
Many of the 376 newly refurbished rooms and suites feature ocean views along with balconies.
The Atlantic Ocean is just a few steps from the back of the hotel, with direct access to the beach and boardwalk.
The Miami Beach Architectural District is home to the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world and is a mesmerizing neon rainbow of colors at night.
In the early hours of the morning, South Beach can seem like an abandoned movie set, where everyone is on the beaches and streets with no traffic.
A tree-lined walkway leading to the soft white sands of South Miami Beach.
Sitting by the pool, lunch was brought to our beds with mahi mahi sandwich, burger and pizza served by friendly staff. Why do all these foods instantly taste better when they sit by the pool?
The soft white sands of South Beach are only a few steps away and although the beach is public, the hotel provides two sun loungers and an umbrella in the room rate. This is a welcome bonus. Some hotels in the area charge $10 to $20 for beach chairs and a little more if you need an umbrella for shade.
Another advantage is the Club Lounge. It’s an extra $100 per day for guests, but they offer culinary delights throughout the day, essentially covering most of all food in the hotel, with a breakfast buffet each morning, snacks, and sandwiches served from 11:00 a.m. to lunch, evening snacks. d’oeuvres is served from 17:00 and dinner from 20:00.
During my visits to the living room, I often saw the same people sitting on the same chairs as offerings came and went around them.
One of the colorful lifeguard stations on the sands of Miami Beach South Beach.
Ritz-Carlton guests are provided with two sun loungers and an umbrella in the price of the room.
Appetizing perspective: This image shows the Ritz-Carlton’s elegant French Bistro Bagatelle.
The classic Lapidus Cocktail Bar, luxuriously furnished in a luxury hotel, is located at the back of the lobby.
Some rooms at The Ritz-Carlton South Beach overlook downtown Miami and offer breathtaking sunset views.
Basically, this means that you don’t need anything during your stay at the hotel, because there will always be something tasty in the lounge. The staff will even go out of their way to bring something extra if what you see is not exactly what you wanted.
If you are traveling with young children where meal times can be random at the best of times, this is a brilliant perk.
Other on-site dining options include the elegant Bagatelle French Bistro, a poolside beach bar-restaurant, DiLido Beach Club and Fuego Y Mar Latin American Restaurant, where fresh, simple ingredients bring flavors of coastal Mexico, Cuba and Venezuela. and Colombia. At night, the restaurant is bathed in warm orange light, making it an inviting romantic spot to enjoy quality cuisine.
The icing on the cake at the Ritz-Carlton was the staff, or ladies and gentlemen, as they liked to call themselves.
This is a big hotel but they make a genuine effort to get to know guests by name, their food preferences and generally help make the hotel the perfect place for a spring break party.
TRAVEL FACTS
Direct flights to Miami are available from the UK with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines. Economy class prices start at £380.
Room rates at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach start at $380/£290 per night.