Miami Beach, Florida by Ava Rosales
When my husband and I received the invitation to the Kimpton Surfcomber + Spa for a “sleepover”, there was absolutely no hesitation. I was never one for sleepovers in my childhood days, but let me tell you, doing one as an adult takes on its own special feel. The hubby needed no convincing. His immediate response was, “Is that where we had that amazing steak?” After the emotional and physical wear and tear of the last few months, a respite was just what this doctor ordered. I’m sure a medical doctor would agree, as well. The countdown for departure was on and the wardrobes were packed. Yes, wardrobes, even for an overnighter, after all, you must have your arrival outfit, then the change for dinner, sleepwear, loungewear, and beachwear. I know what you’re thinking- thank heavens it was only one night. Being on South Beach though, with the array of activities and venues to indulge in, one can’t be overprepared. From sunning by the surf to dazzling on the dancefloor, it can be nonstop from sunrise to sunrise, and everything is within a mile of the Surfcomber.
Upon arrival at our sleepover, our cellphone number was taken by the valet and front desk. Their new system of communicating is through text message which gives you the freedom to untether from the resort and still maintain instantaneous contact. We were greeted with a scrub based welcome cocktail and would soon learn more about that tasty concoction. He later engaged us with our very own scrub making class with dragon fruit as the base topped with mescal. The new food and beverage director, Luis, curates experiences for guests such as a daily happy hour from 5 pm – 6 pm offering wine and light bites, the perfect boost to start your stay. As with our previous experiences with the resort, although staff may change, the hospitality and passion for their craft remains unwavering, much to the credit of the general manager, Mohan, who has been a constant there for more than a decade.
There was just enough time to run to the room after cocktail making to freshen up for dinner and don one of the multiple outfits. The executive chef, Gastón, entertained every mouthful of our 6-course tasting menu with his captivating stories of why each ingredient in our sumptuous dishes were selected with care and purpose. The hubby hung on every word and was mesmerized by each morsel, encouraging me to join him on the journey. The burgundy snails were his favorite. I think the visualization of how they were particularly grown and foraged in a specific natural environment made it that much more appealing. Admittedly, I’m not a foodie, but the fall off the bone bison short rib enticed me to dive into that realm momentarily. The pairing coined David and Goliath aptly described the majestic beef meeting the mighty mollusk. The feast featured other clever names for the various courses such as Ménage à Trois which included seared diver scallops, sable fish and chargrilled maitake and leeks. The Soleil was one of my favorite dishes with crisp frisée, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, haricot verts, shaved fennel, cabrales, a shallot vinaigrette and asiago glass. Why glass? Because the cheese was frozen with liquid nitrogen and smashed like glass. The dramatic demonstration of the process carried out in front of our eyes by Chef Gaston. He further reminded us of his talent with an edible chocolate seascape complete with sand, surfboard and palm tree that was delivered to our room while we dined.
The next morning, we didn’t want to miss a moment of the sleepover by staying in bed, as much as the pillows beckoned us to remain. For a quick workout while the onsite gym was under construction, there was access next door and other options nearby, the hubby opted to venture out on a bike ride to the South Beach gym. I took a scenic walk to the beach through the garden, across the boardwalk and onto the pristine sand. There, I encountered staff setting up games and cleverly raking art deco shapes in the sand. The motto on the staff gazebo which read “Life is better at the beach”, was so apropos. All the noise of the reality that I had escaped from just 24 hours ago had long been erased from the recess of my mind. I secured a lounge chair, towels and an umbrella and basked in the sunlit warmth of the morning surveying the majestic ocean. All was well and at peace. The only thing that pulled me away was our need to have breakfast which consisted of cold pressed juices, waffles, an omelet and of course, the hubby had to have steak and eggs. We spent the early afternoon in the upper deck cabana, drinking and dining on tapas while surveying the property and mingling with guests. It was a delightful way to bid adieu to the South of France-inspired ambience that the Surfcomber has created.
I also love how the Kimpton shares its experiences globally amongst their sister resorts. Earlier in the year we were able to experience the incomparable concoctions served up by the Library by the Sea premier cocktail bar from the Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa on Grand Cayman during their tour to Miami Rum Congress since one of the host sites was the Kimpton Surfcomber + Spa. Cocktails were shaken and served personally by Jim Wrigley from the Library and Mitch Wilson of Black Tot Rum. They served up some of their famous twists on Ernest Hemingway mixes. Jim certainly knows how to spin a yarn of cocktail concoctions and literary connections. I could imagine that on Grand Cayman it isn’t your traditional library visit but you’ll certainly leave just a little more educated, nonetheless.
There’s so much to experience at the Kimpton Surfcomber + Spa with their frequent events and in the surrounding vicinity. Whether you’re staying a week, overnight, or even on a day pass for the pool or spa, the Kimpton Surfcomber + Spa is part of a brand of luxurious boutique resorts that guarantees excellence and an experience that is uniquely out of the ordinary from savory flavors to soul searching experiences – the perfect getaway.
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