We get inspired this time every year when the race comes to town, because it’s hard not to get motivated when thousands of runners make their way past us on Ocean Drive.  According to The ING Marathon site, more than 16,000 runners finished this year, but a whopping 20,000 runners were expected to participate overall, an eight–year event record.  Runners, we are still cheering for you!  

Because you inspire us, we want to encourage our readers to eat healthy and stay fit.  We are, after all, in South Beach, where the people are pretty and the bodies are beautiful!  We have a reputation to uphold.  As voted in Travel and Leisure’s America’s Favorite Cities, Miami was voted as one of the top ten cities with the most “Attractive” people (#4) and the most “Stylish” people (#3).  Way to go Miami!

To our guests, friends and all the runners who participated today, great job and we look forward to cheering you on in 2012!

1. Luxurious, oversized suites mean you have lots of room to play.
2. We’re in the heart of Ocean Drive & South Beach… you know what that means!
3. Rooftop Terrace Suites with private Roman Tubs.
4. Intimacy Kits…an amenity you have to try!
5. Front Porch Cafe…Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch & Dinner.
6. Steps away from the action on South Beach, when you want it! (Coming up: Valentine’s Weekend, South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Winter Party, Miami Beach Boat Show.)
7. Oversized full-body showers with seven showerheads & perfectly sized for two.
8. We use only revitalizing Aveda products in our suites.
9. Intimate Affair packages available all. year. long.
10. We are the most romantic boutique hotel in South Beach…couple’s massage on your private rooftop terrace anyone?
11. This is the year of Intimate Affairs at Z Ocean Hotel…let us make yours memorable.

Click here to see the video.

Tradition Has A New Front Porch

The Front Porch Café opened its doors in the Z Ocean Hotel on December 1^st.  The Front Porch Café has been serving South Beach’s favorite dishes for 20 years, and its new location in the Z Ocean Hotel allows owners Michael Hamilton, Dawn Lyons and Larry Simms to expand their menu to include dinner and daily Happy Hour.

“Moving here has given us a great opportunity to grow,” Michael said.  “We can expand our service to appeal to everybody.  We now offer a bar business, which we weren’t able to do before, and a dinner service.”

The Front Porch is equipped with not one but two very warm and inviting full bars where you can enjoy cocktails indoors or out.  Happy Hour takes place from four to seven p.m. each night.  Guests can start off with drinks after a full day on South Beach and linger through dinner.  The restaurant has added two pool tables at the outdoor bar.  Guests will be able to stretch out in the expansive space.  Michael added, “Our guests always prefer to be outside.”  He pointed out that guests don’t mind waiting for a table on the porch, because they can enjoy a Mimosa or and Blood Mary at the breezeway bar.

The Front Porch’s Dinner menu includes some hearty specials such as Veal Chop Tomahawk, Rib Eye Steak and a delicious Filet Mignon.  Michael notes that “comfort food is what we’re really good at” but the restaurant is looking to try some new flavors during dinner. 

Of course, that brings us to what The Front Porch is very well known for – serving breakfast all day long.   With a strong local following, the restaurant has welcomed repeat guests from the Miami area and vacationers for more than 20 years.   “We have regulars who come in three to six times a week.  The South Beach crowd isn’t one to rise early for breakfast,”   he said with a knowing smile.  “We start seeing them between 10 a.m. until about two p.m. for breakfast, so we serve breakfast and lunch simultaneously.” 

Some of the restaurant’s signature breakfast dishes include the Beach Breakfast Bonanza (scrambled eggs with cheddar, mushrooms and scallions), amazing Green Eggs (scrambled eggs with Pepper Jack Cheese, Pesto and Sun Dried Tomatoes served with their signature potatoes), scrumptious French Toast (made with fresh baked Challah bread topped with orange zest, cinnamon and powdered sugar) and a healthy and tasty pancake called Granola Pancakes (made with whole wheat flour and granola). 

The Front Porch is open seven days a week.  Reservations are not necessary, and hotel guests will receive priority seating.  Come in and enjoy your favorite dishes at The Front Porch Café’s stylish new home.

Talking Z with the GM

Carlos, tell us about Z Ocean Hotel & South Beach…
Carlos: The Z Ocean Hotel is a South Beach gem. It is perfectly located on Ocean Drive across the beach. We are situated in a spot that allows our guests’ access to the nightlife and excitement in South Beach when they want it. Our hotel is an all suite property with gorgeous, spacious suites that serve as respite from the energy on the streets. Our suites are quiet. You can actually relax here and enjoy world class amenities such as a spacious terrace with your own Roman Tub, luxury showers, fine linens and a stunning glass bottom pool, to name a few. This is a hotel with romance in mind. As for South Beach, I appreciate the diversity of residents and vacationers here. We are a cultured destination that still knows how to have a good time. South Beach is where you can be who you are or who you want to be.

You’ve worked in luxury hotels around the globe. What do you hope to bring to Z Ocean Hotel?
Carlos: Each hotel and resort needs a sense of place, one that defines what it is to its guests. The Z Ocean Hotel is a very romantic boutique hotel in a unique destination. What I hope to add to that is to raise the service standards and provide impeccable service for our discerning guests. Our guests are well travelled. They recognize the value of an all-suite hotel and like to have the best of what South Beach has to offer. We are such an intimate, modern setting that we can deliver the best service in South Beach. We will be the new preferred destination in South Beach, I guarantee it.

Tell us a little about yourself…
Carlos: I have been working in the hospitality industry for longer than I should admit. I truly love the work I do and get excited each day when we offer personalized service that make our guests’ experience more memorable. When I am not working, my wife and I enjoy discovering new culinary experience in Miami. When possible, I also try to stay active with my family by playing tennis and taking walks on the coast.

So what will we see at the Z in December and January?
Carlos: It is with great pleasure that I join the Z Ocean Hotel during the holidays. It is a time to pamper and renew ourselves. We are offering some great packages for the holidays. We pride ourselves in being a sanctuary in South Beach. You can retreat from the cold and holiday stress here. We offer indulgent spa services in your suite or on the terraces that can help you relax and rejuvenate. And then when you’re ready, the best of South Beach is right outside our doors.

You don’t want to miss the excitement of New Year’s Eve in South Beach. All of South Beach turns into one big party and is the place to be seen. There’s fun around every corner, and Ocean Drive is where you want to be at the stroke of midnight for the fireworks show.

I am also excited that The Front Porch Café has opened in the Z Ocean Hotel. The Front Porch Café has such an established reputation for serving delicious food. The restaurant is a great addition to what we offer our guests and I think it will enhance their enjoyment of the hotel.