Tempo, A RockResort: A haven in Miami

Last week, in the midst of all the fun being had at the conference I was working, I took a moment to step out and check out a new resort in Miami from our friends at RockResorts.

My driver, Freddie, was a proud resident of the area by way of Cuba. As we drove alongside the Biscayne Bay, past shops and beautiful people, cruise ships, and celebrity mansions, towards downtown Miami, he told me a bit about the history of this city, which I will admit, I have never really been too interested in since I last came to visit more than 10 years ago.

Never really ever having been much of a clubbing, bar-hopping type, I found the nature of Miami a huge turn off in my early 20s. It still is largely referred to as a party town, and one of biggest curiosities about the place for me had been Ocean Drive which was actually quite a disappointment as it is only a few blocks long and ridiculously impossible to navigate by car.

However that was Miami Beach and listening to Freddie talk about the overall history of the city, not just the one tourist area, was much more intriguing. I inquired about the cruise ships, and he went on to tell me how years ago Biscayne Bay would host boat races and shows, however after 9/11 these were stopped and now the area is almost exclusively left for the larger ships. He pointed out the various buildings giving me a brief back story for each. He also pointed out the Miami Children’s Museum and other smaller landmarks. His love and enthusiasm for his city, helped me become more enthusiastic as well and showed me a different side of Miami I never really saw before. A softer, not so wild-and-crazy Miami. He reminded me of the vibrant culture there, beyond the Cuban community, which I had almost forgotten about; the food, people, music, and the generations and generations of families from all over who made this their home. As we drove further away from Miami Beach and towards Downtown Miami, the city’s energy also changed. It was less touristy, more interesting.

We arrived to Tempo Resorts, A RockResort located in Miami’s cultural district. It’s truly a unique experience from the start. Where one would normally find a reservation or concierge desk at check-in, guests are instead greeted on a more personal level upon entering what felt more like some one’s living room (a very, very nice living room mind you).

The space is open, with floor to ceiling windows, comfortable couches, and a couple of desks, as well as refreshments. Right next door the room opens up to the much larger and very chic Amuse Restaurant and Lounge. Amuse is lead by Executive Chef Emanuel Zarlenga and offers guests a tapas experience featuring ingredients from organic produce to seafood straight off the boat.

The feeling at Tempo was definitely a lot more sophisticated and far more relaxing then my Miami Beach stay. Tempo serves as both a luxury hotel and residence, and with only 56 rooms the service and attention feels very personal from beginning to end.

Tempo Miami is located in the 67-story Marquis Building. The entrance to Tempo Miami is on NE 11th Street. The hotel is still very new, having opened its doors to the public just this past Summer and some adjustments were still being made at the time of my visit, specifically in the part of the pool area, which was incredibly private and serene. I thought it was quite lovely.

Also lovely was the spa. Ah, the spa! 8,000-square-feet of luxurious, elegant, state-of-the-art heavenly bliss that I wasn’t able to enjoy due to time constraints. The RockResorts Spa features membership programs for both the fitness center and spa, making it a perfect option for hotel guests, residents and locals.

The truth is missing out on the pool, the spa, and yes, even the invitation to have some lunch at Amuse was really, really sad. Until I saw my room. And calling it a “room” just doesn’t do it justice, because it was a lot more then that.

Floor to ceiling windows, large balconies overlooking the incredible Biscayne Bay and Museum park (currently also undergoing construction and renovations), views of downtown Miami, small wet bars in each room, the best in sleek and contemporary design, these accommodations are truly stunning. I think I let me “coolness” guard down and actually let my mouth drop open a little when I walked into my room. It felt like it was floating in air with all the windows around it.

I can’t even describe how wonderful it was to come into this room after a long day of traveling and working. I arrived having just missed the cut-off time for room service (10:30PM), however was provided the wonderful courtesy of service despite it. I ordered the most unique and flavorful chicken wings I have ever tasted.

I walked outside onto the balcony and looked out at the shimmering lights of this city I felt I had just discovered. As I planned on going to bed it seemed that, much like my very own city of New York, Miami was just coming to life. The lights shimmered off the bay, the views of the American Airlines Arena, the lights of the larger buildings further away. As the warm breeze stroked my tired face and I stood there wishing I could share this moment with my family, I felt sleep slowly taking over.

The rain shower in the bathroom was incredibly refreshing, and you know how I love rain showers. The stand-alone tub, though I didn’t use it, was calling out for me to take a long bubble bath in it. But the best feature in my bathroom? The in-mirror television.  I mean, you have to admit, that’s just cool. I brushed my teeth and showered while washing Legally Blond. I don’t know about you, but I rarely get to brush my teeth and shower at home, let alone watch television in the bathroom. (Just saying. It’s cool.)

The king size bed, with the gazillion pillows and über soft linens was also a marvelous treat which welcomed me to sleep so quickly I suspect it happened the second my head sunk in the yummy pillow.

My stay was short, and oh-s0-sweet. There are rooms which comfortably fit families, and with request either before or during your stay, the hotel can set up day care services should you travel with children and want to get away a night or two. It’s only a 10-minute drive to South Beach, and about a 20-minute drive to the Ft. Lauderdale airport. So you don’t necessarily have to miss all the crazy-fun of Miami, just escape it when you need to relax.

I did see all the features for family stays at the hotel, and do not completely discount it as a place for traveling families, however, the laid-back feel of the space, the sophistication and luxury environment wouldn’t make me want to bring my insane boys with me there. That being said not every child is like mine, and thus it is dependent on the parent. I would however LOVE to share a stay here with my husband or during a getaway with girlfriends. So many amenities that I feel I would enjoy with another adult, and well, Miami still remains very much a grown-up town for me, though I saw things here and there that would appeal to family, I didn’t experience them first hand, and thus can’t speak from that perspective.

I like what Tempo RockResort has done to really personalize the experience for their guests. This was something I needed during my stay as busy and exhausted as I was, and they delivered beautifully. Thus, though the rooms, ammenities, food, and location are truly desirable and top-notch, it is the costumer service and attention to guest that really motivates me to give Tempo RockResort my highest recommendation as a hospitality destination of choice when in the Miami area.

To book reservations at Tempo Miami, A RockResort, you can go online or call 877-857-ROCK (7625).

Disclosure: Travel and accommodations were provided courtesy of RockResorts for the purpose of this review. The views and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. For more information please refer to the disclosure page.

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Posted in Cool Finds, Hotels/Camping/Resorts/Cruise | 2 Comments »