While the Brasserie provides a more casual dining atmosphere, it does have elegance in its own right. Once in the Brasserie, you will immediately note a beautiful, hand-etched, 15-foot Venetian glass mirror bar with a 12-foot mirrored screen behind it. According to the Blue Door, they use this mostly for a "light" menu. The candles and flowing white drapes in the Brasserie reflected in the mirror command an impressive presence. Candles flank the table and the etchings are superb. The reflection of the willowy white drapes creates a very romantic atmosphere, even for the casual dinner.

During the day-and even the evening-eating on the outside terrace provides you with a view of the Philippe Starck-designed pool, which includes underwater music and floating meditation areas. Reminiscent of ancient Roman baths, this was Starck's first "exercise" in pool design. There's even a continuous waterfall and furniture in the pool. No worries, though: The pool is large enough to accommodate everyone's desires. Its dimensions are 150 feet long by 30 feet wide and it ranges from 1 inch in depth to 5 feet, with water washing over the sides. Surrounding the pool are multiple cabana beds equipped with flat screen TVs, sound systems, large pillows and billowy white drapes that can close you off to the world. Cabana dining poolside with a private butler is an option, as is pool dining between the beach and pool bar. There are also many relaxing lounges along with umbrellas from which to watch the palm trees sway. Vine draped poolside bungalows with private patios are available as an alternative to the main hotel.

As you descend the Blue Door Terrace's terra-cotta stairs-which are scattered with beautiful potted plants-and embark toward the pool, you encounter the Orchard, an elaborate garden that includes a variety of flowers, plants and 50-foot Washingtonian palm trees. The concept is an indoor room for the outdoors, which is populated with Alice-in-Wonderland type furnishings, including an oversized Philippe Starck chessboard and daybeds. Even an outdoor shower is available. Steps away from the edge of the pool is South Beach, so once you are done with breakfast or lunch you can take a quick dip in the Atlantic Ocean.