The Raleigh Hotel
I often say that the allure of Miami is it’s combination of the sacred and the profane.
and the most sacred of places is the Raleigh hotel, it’s nestled amongst a strip of see and be seen hotels.
From the moment you walk in through the lush tropical garden that hides the hotel from the street you know you are some place special.
Some of the staff have been there for years and they are friendly and unpretentious. It’s like walking back in time when discretion was a virtue.
I remember I was there on a shoot, the fashion editor had made plans to eat with her family so I was left alone.
It was one of those rainy Miami evenings, I decided to have dinner on the serene terrace. The beehive lamps were gently swaying over the patio. After my meal I ordered my usual Sapphire and Tonic and the coconut flan (which sadly they don’t make anymore) As I sat there relaxing I thought the one thing that would make this evening perfect would be to hear Quizas,Quizas,Quizas by Nat King Cole (one of my favorite songs) before I took the first sip out on my cocktail the song came on.
Many hotels pride themselves on fulfilling your wishes but it’s a rare hotel that can read your mind.
If you’re looking for bottle service and ladies with fake appendages then this is not the place for you, if your looking for a magical place the Raleigh hotel is a diamond amongst a sea of cubic zirconium.
I’ve shot there a number of times and I’m looking forward to my next visit.
Other places I like in Miami are Paul (cafe) on Lincoln Road, Base and Books and Books
