Miami Living Magazine

Jennifer Esposito

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accommodations (2010) tend to be a bit more luxurious with a British Colonial/Art Deco décor. In addition to the terrazzo floors, there's animal print upholstery, curtains —even the shower tile has an exotic crocodile texture. Long balconies offer great views of the pool and private cabanas (where spa treatments are offered) set against lush date palms, bougainvillea, and sea grape. The spacious 350 sq. ft. rooms have soothing cream ceilings and walls grounded by light chocolate flooring. Sealy mattresses are complemented with posturepedic and pillow-top technology. Other amenities are: 42" Samsung TVs, iDock clocks, piano design cotton towels and walk-in closets with safe. One special suite (670 sq. ft.) is decorated by Art Basel artist/pop fashion designer/photographer Maurice Renoma —who styled Elton John and John Lennon— with some irreverent photos of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe (Dean 04) and a Last Supper parody (Punk 04) peopled by Andy Warhol/Jesus and Lou Reed/disciple. Passed the lobby, Tamara Bistro pays homage to the Polish Art Deco artist Tamara de Lempicka (1898-1980) with a large-scale ceiling mosaic of her work, "Girl with Gloves" from 1921. Search around for other Lempicka works like the dashing "Portrait of the Marquis d'Afflito" near Reception and "Idyll" and the glamorous "Portrait of Mrs. Boucard" in the adjacent Blues Bar. Executive Chef Matthew McDonald keeps his French-oriented menu (good price point) very simple and classic. Dine inside under the mosaic replica or on the cool patio overlooking the pool and palms for breakfast, lunch or dinner. In the evening, I enjoyed steak tartare and bacon wrapped dates followed by filet mignon with wild mushroom demi-glace and truffle parmesan fries, ending with mousse au chocolat with a macaroon and crème de cassis. Behind the dining room, for wedding receptions and special events, the Martini Bar displays a perfect example of Art Deco chic with a martini and champagne glass motif in the terrazzo floor set against an unblemished u-shaped period wooden bar. The National is ideal for a stroll over to Lincoln Road, Miami Beach's funkier version of Rodeo Drive without the cars. While many of the larger retailers have outlets (including an Apple Store), walk to the west end near Alton Road for some choicer picks like colorful artist Romero Britto's gallery (#1102), Paris macaroon-creator Laduree (#1118), sneaker-

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