Art
A beachfront oasis with a storied history, The Betsy anchors the quiet end of iconic Ocean Drive and has one of the most exciting neighborhoods in America as its backyard.
Inside, you’ll discover everything you’d expect from a luxury boutique hotel Travel + Leisure ranks among the ‘World’s Best’ — thoughtful amenities, stunning outdoor spaces, extraordinary service, and a master chef overseeing the kitchen — but it’s the unexpected that sets The Betsy apart. From the Zimbabwean sculpture collection to the personally curated library, The Betsy is filled with family heirlooms that give it a sense of home.
Because The Betsy isn’t just our home away from home — it’s yours, too.
Shona Sculpture Garden
The Betsy’s open-air Atrium is home to the Shona Sculpture Garden, a collection of stone carved sculptures from Zimbabwe inspired by traditional Shona mythology. Co-owners Jonathan Plutzik and Lesley Goldwasser spent time in Lesley’s native Zimbabwe personally picking each sculpture before bringing them home to New York and ultimately to Miami. Now a permanent fixture at The Betsy, these pieces pay homage to Zimbabwe’s ancient practice of stone carved sculpture and showcase the work of contemporary artisans continuing that rich artistic tradition.
Steinway Grand Piano
The Steinway grand in The Betsy’s lobby is hard to miss. Having moved down to Miami Beach from Jonathan and Lesley’s living room, the Steinway is a favorite among local musicians, who you might catch in the lobby playing a tune or two next time you’re passing through.
The Betsy Library
Featuring floor-to-ceiling wooden bookshelves, the Betsy Library has the feeling of a private Manhattan club transported to Ocean Drive and contains a wide range of reading material, most of it directly from Jonathan and Lesley’s personal collection.
Hyam Plutzik's Desk
While living and working in the creative sanctuary of the Writer’s Room, Betsy Artists-in-Residence use a desk gifted by the Hyam Plutzik Centennial Committee to commemorate the poet’s sojourn as a soldier in Florida during the 1940s on his way to war. Born in 1911 and a three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist before his death in 1962, Hyam Plutzik is the father of Jonathan Plutzik and remains a guiding spirit in The Betsy’s poetic and artistic endeavors.
The Chandelier
The chandelier that graces The Betsy’s Skyline Penthouse has a long and rich history starting with Lesley’s grandfather Luci Zlattner, who escaped to southern Africa from Czechoslovakia on the eve of World War II. For the full story of the chandelier’s improbable travels (from the Vienna Opera House to Zimbabwe, then across the Atlantic to New York and finally to Miami), click here.
BONUS — Betsy & Rosa
The Betsy’s beloved golden retrievers Betsy and Rosa may be the first to greet you when you arrive. Rosa is a one-year-old English cream golden retriever; Betsy is a four-year-old red golden retriever. You’ll also likely hear about the late, great Katie — The Betsy’s original CEO (Canine Executive Officer), Katie explored every corner of the hotel and stole our hearts for over a decade.
