HOT NEW HIP HOTEL ROW NOW DUBBED THE WUNDER MILE IN MID-BEACH MIAMI IS GAINING A LOT OF ATTENTION WITH TOURISTS AND LOCALS ALIKE

From Boutique to Mega-Size Properties, Hoteliers are Moving a few Blocks North of South Beach to Attract a Whole New Slew of Sophisticated Travelers

Once known for its flair of a by-gone era, Mid-Beach on Miami Beach now coined the “Wunder Mile” has been getting a major face-lift. From chic boutique hotels to innovative mega properties, worldwide hoteliers and investors are taking notice and developing a wide-range of hospitality options in this hot new part of town.

Most people think of Miami as the glitzy and glamorous South Beach but they don’t realize if you only go ten blocks North there is an entire stretch of tranquil and beautiful beaches that are ideal for travelers looking for a more serene and sophisticated experience. Mid-Beach is more relaxed and calmer than South Beach but for those seeking some excitement, a hot restaurant reservation, a fashionable new wardrobe, or a dose of the sexy nightlife scene, South Beach is only minutes away.

German born Hans Krause was quite the visionary that this stretch of the beach (29th to 43rd street on Collins Avenue) would soon become a golden gem, as he bought his first Mid-Beach property over 20 years ago, the Sea Isle Hotel (30th and Collins).  Krause launched it as a tropical vacation oasis for the European vacationer in 1991. In 2010, following a second renovation and re-orientation towards the North American market, he re-introduced the 251-room resort as the health and wellness-minded The Palms Hotel and Spa. Years later Mr. Krause and his family purchased the historical, Art Deco 97-room boutique hotel, Circa 39 Hotel at 39th and Collins.

“Our father, Hans Krause has been a pioneer throughout his hospitality career. He was one of the first to promote Miami Beach as a vacation destination to Europeans,” said Krause’s daughter, Katja Janzon, Vice President and Co-Owner of The Palms and Circa 39 Hotel. “When he first saw these idyllic beachside properties, he knew they were perfect for travelers looking for total relaxation and rejuvenation – and only a stone throw away from the bustle of then-burgeoning South Beach.”

The Palms Hotel & Spa offers guests exactly that – an eco-friendly, serene resort, which is the ideal sanctuary to unwind at. Whether poolside or at the hotel’s Palms Aveda Spa, guests are guaranteed to feel rejuvenated. The Palms’ signature restaurant, Essensia follows a farm-to-table philosophy, offering a seasonal selection of wholesome global cuisine with emphasis on premium local and sustainable ingredients. The AAA Four Diamond property sits on a private stretch of beach and is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, a collection of the finest independent luxury hotels around the world.

Over the last two years, The Krause’s have revamped the Circa 39 hotel including all guestrooms, the lobby, pool deck, courtyard and fitness center. They also added a new meeting room and café – Jules Kitchen, directed by The Palms’ famed Executive Chef Julie Frans. The hotel will officially re-launch at the beginning of December with the introduction of their new watering hole Wunder Bar – an eclectic lobby bar celebrating craft spirits, fine rums and cocktails infused with global flavors, created by Corporate Mixologist Cricket Nelson.

Hotel Croydon, which opened earlier this year, is another family-owned and operated boutique hotel in Mid-Beach Miami. Father and son power-duo, Alan and Nathan Lieberman renamed and renovated this historic 108-room hotel for travelers looking for a cool, chill beachside vibe and who want to enjoy good grub and specialty cocktails at The Tavern downstairs. The hotel also offers innovative yoga classes (indoors and rooftop), meditation sessions, boxing classes and more through its health and wellness program at its Croydon Rose Spa and fitness center. The hotel just opened Wanderlista - one of the only high-end lifestyle boutiques in the newly dubbed “Wunder Mile” hotel row.
 

The highly anticipated Thompson Miami Beach is slated to open this November on 40th and Collins Avenue. The hotel will appeal to savvy and swank crowds. You will find your foodies heading more north here, as Miami’s own celebrity chef—the James Beard Foundation Award-winning Michelle Bernstein—conjures the communal in Seagrape’s Floridian brasserie. Guests and locals can always find something hip happening at the hotel. Thompson Miami Beach will offer three different bar and lounge concepts: 1930s House, Century and Crown Room. In keeping with their historic bungalow's enigmatic past, the 1930's House has been singularly recast as a high-style intimate cocktail den. Renowned Miami mixologist Julio Cabrera shakes and stirs a bespoke collection of artisanal drinks, while Chef Michelle Bernstein infuses the scene with her tasting menu and small plates from the crudo bar. Guests can meet over cocktails in the garden, by the pool—or make a night of it, as the perfect wind-up for the Century’s cool energy. The Crown Room is the ideal rendezvous to catch up with friends, start an evening or put a cap on the night. Thompson’s central lounge also offers Julio Cabrera’s signature drinks alongside innovative snacks in a relaxed atmosphere.

Soho Beach House, heading up the northern end of Wundermile at 43rd and Collins, has already proven how cool and desirable Mid Beach Miami truly is – especially for exclusive and refined travelers as well as local House members with access to their private members club, perks and events but also their popular eatery Cecconi’s, which is open to the public.

Travelers beware because two more mega-glam properties will open doors soon in Mid Beach Miami: Faena House and The Miami Beach EDITION. Set to open this November, a unique site on 29th Street and Collins Avenue, The Miami Beach EDITION is its own private enclave right on the beach. Conceived in collaboration with architects George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg and landscape designer Madison Cox, this Urban Resort will be a game-changer, uniting great design and innovation with personal, friendly, modern service as well as outstanding, one-of-a-kind dining and entertainment offerings "all under one roof".

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About Circa 39

Located in the hip new mid-beach area coined as Miami Beach’s ‘Wunder Mile’ and just minutes from the heart of South Beach, the globally–inspired 97-room boutique hotel is situated only a few steps from the white sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. Circa 39 offers genuine service and worldliness for travelers seeking a down-to-earth, chic, budget-conscious vacation or creative meeting experience. In 2008, it was purchased by its current owners, the Krause Family, and integrated into their portfolio as an affordable sister property to the beachfront resort The Palms Hotel & Spa, just nine blocks down the street. Highlights of the property include Wunder Bar, a global craft cocktail and rum bar, and Jules Kitchen, serving global comfort food in an indoor/outdoor café setting. For reservations or further information, please call 305.538.4900 or visit www.circa39.com. Circa 39 is located at 3900 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140.

About The Palms Hotel & Spa

Just minutes from the heart of South Beach, The Palms Hotel & Spa combines genuine service, laid-back sophistication and oceanfront serenity into a destination where complete wellness and environmental awareness are at the center of each experience. Privately owned and managed by The Krause family, who also own just a few blocks away the 97-room boutique-style Circa 39 Hotel on 3900 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, The Palms sits on its own stretch of beach just 12 miles from Miami International Airport. A AAA 4-diamond rated hotel, The Palms Hotel & Spa is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, a collection of the finest independent luxury hotels around the world, and a 4 Green Key, Florida Green Lodging and Tripadvisor Silver Green Leader accredited property. For reservations or further information, please call 800.550.0505 or visit www.thepalmshotel.com.  The Palms is located at 3025 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140.

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