Voted best poolside bar in the Miami New Times's Best of Miami 2003 roundup (check the website here for more>, this hotel bar easily ranks as our hands-down favorite.

Located on the top floor of The Hotel, this is the spot to hit for a sunset cocktail, when the view of the Atlantic Ocean, with a smidgeon of beach in the foreground and a purple-streaked sky above it, is quite possibly the best around. Bar management obviously knows this too, since they’ve set up a series of comfy loungers directly facing the water.

Even without its star attraction, this poolside bar is one sweet hideout. We liked it so much, we went back to spend our last afternoon imbibing under a poolside umbrella, surrounded by Todd Oldham’s signature eye-catching stripes (in teal, orange, and white) along the pool deck, and a handful of snuggly cabins outfitted with cozy white sofas perfect for two--you can seal yourself in there by closing the tie-dyed drapes, and no one will know what you’re up to!

We basked while the bartender, JC, played chill deep house to keep us relaxed, gave us a round on the house, and made sure we wanted for nothing. With a view, service, and music like this, how could we?

In fact, were so impressed with this spot that we intend to stay at The Hotel itself on our next visit.

Note that, for now, the bar closes at 8pm. To get there, take the elevator to the top floor, and ignore the sign that says "for hotel clients only"--we had no problems whatsoever.