MIAMI DEAL FLOW VISITS
When I tour new communities, I never leave thinking about what I was supposed to be thinking about.
The sales team wants me to remember the architecture, the amenities, the ocean views, and all the reasons this community is different from every other luxury community in South Florida. I do…for a while. Then somewhere between the parking garage and home, one completely random thought gets stuck in my head and won’t let go.
At one point, I asked Luciene about the smart home features. I don’t even know why. I think I just assumed that if someone was spending ten or twenty million dollars on a residence, the place would practically make breakfast.
She smiled and said the residences are wired, but buyers usually like to keep things simple and add whatever they want after closing.
We kept talking.
She moved on.
Apparently, I didn’t.
Somewhere on the drive home, I started thinking about a hotel I stayed at years ago in Nice, France.
I honestly don’t remember much about the hotel. I couldn’t tell you the name if you paid me. I don’t remember the artwork, the furniture, or even the view. If you dropped me off in front of it today, I’m not even sure I’d recognize it.
I do remember walking into the bathroom and noticing this little button next to the towel rack.
I remember asking, “What’s that?”
Nobody knew.
So I pushed it.
I took a shower, reached for my towel…and it was warm.
“Oh, my God.”
My first thought wasn’t, “This is luxury.” It was, “Why doesn’t every hotel do this?” I had somehow made it through my entire life without anyone mentioning towel warmers. Ten seconds later, I couldn’t imagine going back.
I hadn’t thought about that hotel in years. Then I’m standing in St. Regis talking with Luciene about smart homes, and somehow I’m back in a bathroom in France.
Somewhere on the drive home, I realized why France had come back to me. I couldn’t remember the hotel, but I never forgot that little button.
Although…if I ever buy a place like that, I’m still asking for the towel warmer.
If you’re curious what I actually thought about the St. Regis Residences Sunny Isles, I wrote a much more practical review over on Miami Deal Flow: St. Regis Residences Sunny Isles: When Luxury Starts Before the Tour.
