Fodor's Expert Review The Palms Hotel & Spa

If you're seeking an elegant, relaxed property away from the noise but close to both Mid-beach and South Beach nightlife, you'll find an exceptional beach, an easy pace, and beautiful gardens with soaring palm trees and inviting hammocks here, with rooms as fabulous as the grounds. The hotel also has a 5,000-square-foot Aveda spa and a signature farm-to-table restaurant, Essensia. The property combines excellent service, laid-back sophistication, and oceanfront serenity into a destination where wellness and environmental awareness are high priorities.

room

Rooms offer either a city view, garden view, or ocean view and all are decorated in browns and beige with hints of tropical orange. All rooms offer a Sealy Posturepedic pillow top mattress, coffee maker, safe, and free cable.

bathroom

Bathrooms are spa-like and come furnished with Aveda bath products.

lobby

An expansive lobby, filled with ceiling fans, palm trees, and French doors is a cool, inviting place reminiscent of a Caribbean mansion by the sea. From the lobby, take a walk through the extensive property that features an edible garden, walking paths, and many places to get away from the world.

pool

The pool offers seating in chaises or under thatched chickee huts.

spa

An Aveda spa features an array of services for men, women, and kids including massage and rituals influenced by ancient Ayurvedic holistic philosophy.

Check into the couples suite for romantic side by side treatments.

gym

A fitness room is open 24 hours a day. In addition, there's beach yoga, zen days, and even a family beach cleanup activity.

dining

Essensia Restaurant offers sustainably-sourced and local ingredients. Much of the restaurant's herbs and produce comes from the property's edible garden. The restaurant holds a "Slow Foods of Miami Snail of Approval" distinction.

drinking

Essensia Lounge's cocktails feature fresh fruit and herbs grown in the property's edible garden.