I have recently been initiated into the idea of Hotel hopping. So I decided to try two different hotels during my stay in Miami. I spent a couple of nights at the Metropolitan by COMO and then checked into the Vintro Hotel and Kitchen on Park avenue for a 3 night stay.

Vintro Hotel and Kitchen is located in the cultural district and is within a stone throw from the Bass Museum of Art, which you must visit. It is also within walking distance from the Miami City Ballet and the New World Symphony. In fact, it was a couple of minutes drive from the Metropolitan by COMO hotel.

On arrival, I was greeted by this gorgeous Art Deco building which is symbolic of Miami architecture.

I proceeded to enter the premises and the ambience was hip, alive and welcoming. I knew instantly, I had made a good choice and my stay was going to be enjoyable. The Vintro hotel is not just a hotel, but a mecca of art and design. The reception and bar area is covered with paintings, photographs, 3 dimensional art works and limited editions of Taschen publications. The interior design has a rustic old meets new contemporary feel.  The modular button sofa is a signature of  Capitonné design which fits in with the Art Deco look of the hotel.

I proceeded to the reception desk and I was warmly welcomed by the receptionist and the Guest Relations Manager Anastasia.

Anastasia was so welcoming and helpful, asking guests if they were ok or needed assistance with anything. As I was checking in, I was offered a glass of champagne, which was just what I needed. As the champagne bubbles passed through my lips, the owner appeared and Anastasia introduced me to him. He was welcoming and full of life. A charming fella. It is not often you get to meet the owner of a luxurious hotel.

Check in was very swift and I made my way via the lifts to my floor. The lift was no ordinary lift, it was covered in what I can only describe as perspex wallpaper with books printed on them. My thoughts were that, no part of this hotel has been missed in its artistic interior design.

As I walked down the hallway, the walls were covered in the signature colours of Paul Smith, a British fashion designer, reminding me of home, which was making me feel even more at home.

I opened the door to my room and smiled, the decor was modern, tasteful and contemporary, which was right up my street. The image of Brigitte Bardot, an iconic movie star with a quote and facebook comment box added an artistic touch, which was perfect and not overpowering. It blended in with the decor of the bedroom. I love the pop of colour used to decorate the room, the orange bedside tables and yellow walls was a reminder of the sun and warmth of Miami weather. The room was a good size and the bed was very comfortable. I loved the lowly dim lights running around the bed, which added to the ambience.

There was an array of snacks in the Room, which I asked to be removed as I tend to eat them all:) A shiny new Nespresso coffee machine was provided, which looked like it could dispense any coffee you wanted.

The minibar was interesting, something I’ve never seen before. There were two separate mini fridges, one containing alcohol and the other containing soft drinks, which was a nice touch.

My favourite part of the room, which is one of the reasons I booked this hotel, is the voyeur showers. I am a big fan of the glass wall bathrooms, which allows you to see into the bedroom and makes the bathroom feel more open from a design perspective. It reminds me of a movie shower scene, where a husband or wife or lover watching the water slowly dripping of the body of his or her partner, while laying back in bed, leaving little to the imagination. Ok back to reality:) I got carried away there. You can see more of the room in the video at the end of this blog post.

Just before I settled in, I heard a knock on the door. I proceeded to open the door and there was a nicely dressed waiter with a platter of fruit and a hand written card welcoming me to the hotel. I was chuffed, where do you get a personalised hand written card from a Hotel!! Normally it is a computerised message on the TV with your name on it welcoming you to the hotel.

As I settled in, the phone rang and at the end of the line was Alina, the receptionist making sure I was OK and wanting to find out if I needed anything. Coupled with the personalised card and the phone call from Alina. I was saying to myself, Vintro Hotel and Kitchen have got hospitality down to a fine art, making sure guests where settling in and comfortable. Each time I walked by I was alway greeted by my name, which added that personal touch.

Just before my bed time, I went to the bar and had a cocktail called Fat Tail which was absolutely divine.

  

The next morning, I proceeded downstairs to the long lengthy restaurant, which I thought had a rustic cool feel. I love the different styles of Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and the way artworks were displayed behind green shutters.

For breakfast, there was an array of hot and cold food, cereals, a variety of fruit juices available from the buffet. The dinning area was not busy and made for a peaceful meal.

I had the option to order from the menu as well. So I ordered an omelette with bacon and cheese, which was tasty.

 

 

I could not resist the smell of the freshly baked croissants, a slice of cheese from the cheese board and parmesan ham. The breakfast was satisfying and set me up for most of the day.

After breakfast, I explored the reception area some more and noticed a cosy intimate dinning area to the right of the Bar, which is an ideal setting for an intimate dinner party.

 

After an eventful day and night in Miami, subject for another blog post. I made my way to the rooftop area to relax in the pool and soak up some sunshine in the hummocks hanging from the ceiling. The rooftop area was decked out in yellow following with the sunshine theme used in the bedroom. The roof top bar area decorated in a cool ocean colour, provided a feeling of sun and sea.

After a nice relaxing session, I made my way to Ocean drive using the Hotel’s bus shuttle service, which operates from 5th to 42nd street and is available 9am – 9pm. If you are feeling fit and want to explore by bicycle, you can use one of these retro styled bikes from the hotel. These are all included in the resort fee, which also provides you with access to the beach and deck chairs on Miami beach.

My last day at the hotel happened to be on a Sunday. Sunday lunch at Vintro Kitchen was a feast and an ultimate dining experience.  I was welcomed by the staff and treated like family.

Sunday brunch as they called it was served with a huge selection of hot and cold servings.

I opted for this scrumptious seafood paella and my mouth was salivating as I smelt the aroma of grilled lamb on the barbecue.

Vintro hotel and kitchen is like coming home to a long lost family you have not seen in a while.  A place where locals, come every Sunday for brunch and even stay till dinner. The atmosphere is relaxing, we were serenaded with live music, while our taste buds were continuously being massage with the selection of food and a bottomless supply of alcohol. What’s not to love. Exquisite:)

There was a constant supply of good quality wine, champagne and soft drinks. My glass was always being topped up by Julio and Moses and my plate refilled with food, there was no curbing whatsoever. Since there was an endless flow of alcohol. I tired White sangria, which was ok, but stuck to the red sangria which is what I am used to for its fruity taste.

 

The Vintro Hotel and Kitchen has 50 deluxe rooms and suites and just opened in July 2014. It is a member of small luxury hotels and in its short existence it has won a few awards including winner of travellers choice 2015 trip advisor awards. It was like a family home with the owner always around interacting with guests. The ambience is definitely hip and up tempo. in a nutshell, I will describe the Vintro Hotel as sophisticated, stylist and trendy. There is an over 21 age restriction stay at the hotel, which was a first for me and I did not mind at all.

I was disappointed there was no gym, but I was informed they were still expanding and will be getting one in soon. The hotel as a great location, 17mins from the airport. It is tucked away from the constant stream of activities and just a few blocks away from the liveliness and night life of Ocean Drive, shopping and the night clubs on Collins Avenue. It may lack a seafront view, which is within walking distance anyway, but it compensates with other services, amenities and its first glass hospitality.

If you want to be welcomed and feel at home in a luxurious Art Deco Boutique Hotel. Check into Vintro Hotel and Kitchen. I leave you with a video clip of my room with the amazing view of the Voyeur Shower and snaps from a Suite I was able to view. Enjoy:)

SoBe king room

Suite

A three night stay in SoBe king room cost  approx £952 at the time of booking via Expedia. Please refer to Hotel website for current rates. There is an additional £15 per night resort fee.

Have you stayed or eaten at the Vintro Hotel and Kitchen? Please share and comment. I hope I have given you a delightful insight into this hotel. Click here to read more about my 5 day break in Miami and interesting things to do