STAYCATIONS

STAYCATIONS Culture SAFARI

Catch a VIBE and expand your cultural horizons at THE BETSY South Beach

By Daphne Nikolopoulos

You might not automatically associate Miami’s South Beach with incisive personal narratives or the intellectual examination of artistic expression, but this is exactly what makes The Betsy Hotel stand apart from the party palaces on Ocean Drive. Dubbed “a destination with purpose,” The Betsy beckons with more than sparkling pools, elevated food, and stylish rooms. Its essence is driven by thoughtfully curated art collections, nightly music, culture-driven community gatherings, and a deep affection for poetry and literature. Below are four can’t-miss touchpoints that are perfect reasons to visit this cultural gem. (thebetsyhotel.com)

The Betsy Orb is an egg-shaped structure connecting the hotel’s residential buildings across an alleyway. Catch Robin Hill’s take on it in “The Art of the Orb.”

2ODE TO THE ORB It seems appropriate that Robin Hill, whose work straddles art and design, would be chosen to display her photography inside The Betsy Orb—a curious, egg-shaped structure connecting the hotel’s two residential buildings. “The Art of the Orb” is a collection of different architectural perspectives of the Orb itself. Some are taken by day, some at night with the structure awash in projected light. They invite the viewer to contemplate its shape from above, below, and even peeking around a corner. The fun is in seeing the exhibit and then trying to replicate Hill’s perspectives (harder than you’d think) for Instagram.

3

IT’S LIT The Betsy’s owners, the Plutzik family, have literature in their DNA. The late poet and Pulitzer Prize finalist Hyam Plutzik was the inspiration for both a robust library containing rare and firstedition volumes and an extensive poetry collection, and The Writer’s Room—the latter is a studio space where artists-inresidence, selected via a competitive application process, may stay and write. The room is tiny but highly functional, and it contains Hyam Plutzik’s own desk for maximum creative vibes. Visiting writers host salons to discuss their work with the community, so be on the lookout for these regularly scheduled events.

1FULL-FRONTAL FASHION Barbara Hulanicki is one of those mythical figures who has done more in a lifetime than seems humanly possible. In the 1960s, she launched fashion house Biba, a favorite of celebrities and fashion upstarts (Anna Wintour was an intern). She designed hotel interiors for South Beach’s art deco revival, plus several Caribbean properties for hotelier Chris Blackwell. And she created a body of fashionfocused photography of dancers, models, and notables wearing her clothes. A collection of these images, curated by co-owner Lesley Goldwasser, hangs at LT Steak & Seafood at The Betsy. Don’t be surprised if, while looking at one of her photos, you spy Hulanicki herself. She resides blocks away from the hotel and visits often. SOULFUL SOUNDS Every night, The Betsy’s lobby bar gets supercharged with the energy of live jazz and Latin rhythms by Miami musicians like Tal Cohen, Wilkie Ferguson, and Beau Cornelius. In addition, there are regularly scheduled musical events under the banner “Zen and the Art of,” which introduce Betsy patrons to a variety of art forms. Recent programs have included zarzuela, faith-based music, and contemporary classical piano. In July and August, expect nightly performances and pop-ups by the Miami Classical Music Festival June 28 to July 18.

4

EAT

Globally Locally

COZY, CHIC REUNION KTCHN BAR BRINGS FRIENDS TOGETHER FOR MEMORABLE MEALS

Adriana, Cesar, and Samuel—three foodies searching for delicious recipes from around the world—have always loved to host friends and make new memories, so they decided to create a chic neighborhood space where they can share regionalized dishes. And Reunion Ktchn Bar was born. The cozy eatery has built its reputation on its menu of magical dishes, such as Moroccan pastilla, a special Rosh Hashanah tradition from Adriana’s grandmother reinterpreted by Reunion Ktchn. The bar features exquisitely handcrafted cocktails created with a variety of infusers and homemade syrups. The recently opened Gastro Lounge, located inside, is the region’s hottest hangout for gatherings and parties of all kinds. This hidden gem is open daily with brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, lunch and dinner options, and a live DJ on Thursday nights. With a warm and welcoming vibe, Reunion Ktchn Bar has already become a local favorite.

Q+A TELL US MORE ABOUT THE GASTRO LOUNGE? It’s definitely a place to enjoy time with your friends. It was designed as a mini-club with a cool PHOTO BY CARLOS HIDALGO vibe offering small bites and original, handcrafted cocktails. Gather with friends for a toast, relax after dinner or a show with your date, or hold a pre-party or pre-celebration in the lounge. We are happy to host any private celebration you are planning, including baby showers, bachelor/ bachelorette parties, bat mitzvahs, birthdays, and casual business meetings.

WHAT IS A CUSTOMER FAVORITE THAT EVERYONE SHOULD TRY?

Cesar is the cocktail guru and the ginger margarita is his signature specialty. Every time there is a celebration or an event, we make a large batch of this delicious cocktail for the reception. Our parties have great music, fun vibes, and the tasty ginger margarita, which Cesar created using a from-scratch ginger syrup made with fresh ginger. This has been a favorite for neighborhood regulars and first-time customers.

REUNION KTCHN BAR

18167 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura For more information: 305.931.7401 or reunionkb.com