Courtesy of Casa Casuarina The mosaic-tile pool at Casa Casuarina, in Miami Beach.
Miami’s best hotels may be able to get you into the buzziest restaurants and lounges, but only the Mandarin Oriental helps guests gain entry to the most exclusive club in town: Casa Casuarina. A membership at the invitation-only 1930’s mansion on Ocean Drive—formerly owned by Gianni Versace—costs $50,000 (plus $4,000 in annual dues). Mandarin guests can buy a $175 pass to spend a day at the 30,000-square-foot Moroccan-tiled estate and hobnob with 200 high-profile members at the Caribbean-inspired restaurant (dinner for two $300). The experience is all about decadence—from poolside lemongrass Thai massages to cocktails in the orchid-filled tropical garden. Flashy Versace caftan not included.
