The Setai, Miami Beach

The Setai, Miami Beach occupies a landmark Art Deco building on Collins Avenue at 20th Street, one of Miami Beach's most historically significant surviving structures. The core building was designed by architect Henry Hohauser and opened on New Year's Day 1937 as the Dempsey-Vanderbilt Hotel, named after the heavyweight boxing champion who backed the venture. Hohauser was one of Miami Beach's defining architects, responsible for dozens of the Art Deco buildings that give South Beach its distinctive character. The original Dempsey-Vanderbilt stood for decades as a classical Miami Beach hotel before falling into decline in the latter part of the twentieth century. In the early 2000s, the property was acquired and redeveloped as The Setai, a rebranding that preserved the original building's footprint and exterior while completely renovating the interiors and adding a new tower. The restored Art Deco structure now exists alongside a 38 to 40-story contemporary tower, a pairing that required careful architectural coordination to avoid overwhelming the historic building. The property carries Forbes Five-Star recognition, Michelin Two-Key status, and a AAA Five Diamond rating, acknowledging the quality of the hospitality, dining, and overall experience.

The Setai's architectural identity is a blend of the historic Art Deco building and the contemporary tower, unified by an Asian design vocabulary. The restored interiors of the original building feature the Art Deco aesthetic that Hohauser designed, with clean lines and geometric details, but reinterpreted through an Asian sensibility: teak wood, natural materials, and a minimalist approach to ornamentation. The contemporary tower, built more recently, reflects a cleaner modernist language but maintains visual continuity with the base. What distinguishes The Setai from other Miami Beach properties is not the presence of historic architecture, which is common in South Beach, but the decision to restore it authentically and then layer an Asian design language over it rather than creating a generic modern resort. Walking through the property moves between historical spaces and contemporary ones, each handled with apparent care. The outdoor courtyards and gardens come alive at night with lighting that gives the property a theatrical quality without crossing into gaudiness. This restraint and attention to design details separates The Setai from properties marketed primarily on amenities or celebrity status.

The property contains 171 guest accommodations distributed across multiple categories. The original Art Deco building houses 91 Art Deco suites that occupy the historic structure and maintain period details while offering contemporary comforts. The modern tower contains 62 Ocean Suites, described as expansive accommodations with unobstructed sunrise ocean views and designed with modern furnishings and technology. The property also includes 3 Pool Villas, detached or semi-detached accommodations with their own pools and gardens, positioned as the most exclusive accommodations on the property. All rooms and suites include contemporary amenities: high-speed internet, modern entertainment systems, air conditioning, and marble bathrooms. Many suites feature terraces or balconies. The Art Deco suites are smaller by modern standards, reflecting the building's 1937 origins, but offer the distinctive experience of staying in an authentically restored historic space. The Ocean Suites sacrifice some of that historical resonance for size and contemporary finish. The Pool Villas occupy a middle ground, offering space, privacy, and access to historic grounds without the specific commitment to period design that the Art Deco suites represent. This diversity of room types means guests can calibrate their experience: a stay in the Art Deco suites is a choice to engage with the building's history, while the Ocean Suites represent a more conventional luxury experience with better views and more space.

The Setai operates four distinct restaurants on the property, each with a different cuisine. Jaya offers South Asian cuisine, with menus that rotate through tandoor oven preparations, wok-crafted curries, and dishes drawn from Indian, Chinese, Thai, and Balinese traditions. The restaurant features Jaya's signature Peking Duck and hosts live entertainment nightly, a level of programming that most hotel restaurants do not provide. Japón serves contemporary Japanese cuisine and is positioned as an immersive dining experience rather than casual sushi. Ocean Grill emphasizes Mediterranean and Italian flavors with an emphasis on seafood and grilled preparations, served with views of the Atlantic. Jo's Bar is a cocktail lounge that underwent a redesign and now serves small plates and appetizers to complement its drinks menu. This breadth of dining options is unusual and reflects the Setai's positioning as a multi-night destination where guests might eat on property for several consecutive meals without repetition. The quality of the restaurants, particularly Jaya and Japón, meets or exceeds independent restaurants in the city, which means guests can dine well without leaving the property but also are not sacrificing quality by doing so.

The property also houses Valmont Spa, a full-service spa offering treatments and services focused on skincare and wellness. The grounds include multiple pools, terraced courtyards, and direct access to a private beach area. For guests seeking to move around the property, there are gardens, seating areas, and different outdoor spaces that create a sense of exploration and discovery rather than a simple hotel layout. The contemporary tower provides workout facilities and other standard luxury amenities. The property offers valet parking and concierge services but does not market itself as an events destination in the way some competitors do. The positioning is toward individual and small-group leisure travelers rather than corporate conferences or large celebrations.

The Setai's standing in Miami Beach is one of a property that emphasizes refinement and design over spectacle and hype. Faena Hotel Miami Beach, on the same beach, represents the opposite philosophy: art, theater, and bold statement are central. The Ritz-Carlton and other chain luxury properties offer more conventional amenities and less historical character. The Setai's choice to ground itself in the history of the building and the specific design language of Asian minimalism creates a distinct identity. The property appeals to travelers who are comfortable with quieter luxury, who value design and architecture, and who want to stay somewhere with a clear aesthetic vision rather than a generic luxury resort. The restoration of the Hohauser building is itself a form of tourism; visitors interested in Miami Beach's Art Deco heritage would gain something by staying here rather than just touring the building.

Nightly rates at The Setai vary significantly depending on the room category. The Art Deco suites typically start around $300 to $500 per night, offering a lower entry price in exchange for smaller spaces and period styling. The Ocean Suites command higher rates, typically in the $500 to $900 range depending on size and views. The Pool Villas occupy their own pricing tier and are quoted on a case-by-case basis. Multi-night packages bundled with dining credits or spa services are available. The location on Collins Avenue in the South Beach area places guests in the center of Miami Beach's shopping, dining, and nightlife. The Art Deco Historic District, street-level galleries and retail, and the Miami Beach Boardwalk are all within walking distance. The property is accessible by Miami Beach's public transit, and most guest movement around the broader area is via car services or personal vehicles. The proximity to the Art Basel art fair site and other cultural institutions makes the location convenient for visitors attending events and exhibitions.

The Setai Miami Beach is the choice for travelers who want a luxury hotel stay grounded in history and design rather than contemporary spectacle. The restoration of the Hohauser building demonstrates a genuine commitment to preservation rather than a superficial historical theme. The dining is substantive and interesting enough that meals on property are not a compromise. The Asian design language creates a distinctive aesthetic that sets the property apart from its competitors on the same beach. For travelers spending multiple nights in Miami Beach and wanting a property with a clear identity and a connection to the city's architectural heritage, The Setai offers something more specific and intentional than chain luxury hotels. The smaller scale, the restoration of the historic building, and the focused design language make this property suitable for guests seeking a refined experience rather than a flashy one.