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I’d love to jump on a plane to Italy right now, see the sights and eat that food!! But instead, we planned a Florida “staycation”, at the Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove. I felt like I was a million miles away!

Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove

We arrived at this gem of a boutique hotel, created by two brothers, fourth generation of the famed Cipriani family. The purpose built 100-room hotel was designed by Miami architecture firm Arquitectonica, and in many ways makes you think of a ship: porthole-style windows on the façade; sail-like screens between balconies and rich blue colors in rooms and public areas.

It was a balmy Sunday afternoon when we checked in at the petite but beautiful ground floor lobby, decked out in nautical tones and wooden panels, with framed pictures of sailing yachts, further emphasizing the ship-like feel of the property. Off to the side through flowing drapes I could see Il Giardino, a cozy garden escape – and the perfect place to sample some of the hotel’s delightful crepes or an Aperol Spritz.

Completing the check-in experience at every Mr. C hotel (there are locations in New York at Manhattan’s Seaport, and in Beverly Hills) is the welcome offer of a Bellini, the company’s flagship drink. While you can enjoy your Bellini in the lobby, current circumstances made it more logical to have it on our room’s private balcony, with peekaboo views of Biscayne Bay. (We may have followed the Bellini with a glass of Prosecco – after all, it was a Sunday afternoon!)

Coconut Grove or Coco?

While we’re very familiar with Miami, we hadn’t been to Coconut Grove (Coco, as the locals call it) for many years. And we fell in love with this unique neighborhood, founded by an eclectic mix of pioneers, artists, intellectuals and adventures back in 1873. A more bohemian atmosphere than urban Brickell or flashy South Beach, Coconut Grove is a district in transition, with lots of wonderful little shops, restaurants, bars, and interesting things to see. We even came across a building that looked like it had been picked up from Gaudi’s Barcelona and planted right in South Florida!

What we loved was the distinct lack of retail chains. We saw Aesop of Australian fame (you know, the serum that Nicole Kidman uses to keep her beauty) and a couple of other shops, but that was it. One of our favorites is Mr. C’s neighbor: the incredible The Bazaar Project. This shop sells a unique combination of décor items, jewelry, apparel and artwork, but it offers a casual indoor and outdoor café too. As we walked around the shop, two musicians played live Latin sounds. Come for a browse, stay for a drink and sit under the giraffe that’s holding the chandelier!

We wandered through Coco, taking in the sights and sounds of a Sunday afternoon. On our way to the Barnacle Historic park we passed a majestic peacock, proudly displaying his colorful plumage. You’ll find historical buildings, lush tropical vegetation, large mansions and luxury high rises, but also traditional wooden homes, all within a few blocks. And of course, still many coconut palms!

Dinner at Bellini at Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove

Arriving back at Mr. C, the sun was going down and it was time for us to get ready for our dinner at Bellini. While locals may dress to impress for lunch, the restaurant is beautiful but not particularly formal.

The elevator door opened on the 5th floor (also the location of the hotel’s gorgeous rooftop pool). Passing the Bellini bar, we were greeted by a Maître D’ who seemed to have come straight from Italy. He showed us to our – socially distanced – table on the terrace that runs along the length of the building, where you could see lights twinkling over Biscayne Bay. Sipping a Negroni, with the warm evening air and light breeze, we could have been in Capri or on the Amalfi coast.

Bellini serves traditional, rustic Italian fare. It was wonderful, from the Branzino to the Bucatini “Cacio e Pepe”. Not overly complicated, but simply perfectly executed.

The food and surroundings made me fondly remember our trips to Italy, and our longing to return. But for now, we will just have to wait.

Or you could take a trip to Coco. You will be surprised and wowed by this area and your stay at Mr. C.

At Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove, the Virtuoso rate offers Q guests daily breakfast for two; $100 food and beverage credit per stay; free Wi-Fi; resort fee waived, and an upgrade, early check-in and late-check-out if available.  For more details or to book, visit our Virtuoso hotel booking page.