I heard of this fabled Tanning Butler thanks to Melissa Carter’s hard news report on Atlanta’s Q100 popular morning show, The Bert Show.  South Beach’s high-end legendary hotel, The Ritz-Carlton is home to the world’s one-and-only tanning butler.  According to Melissa’s news feature,  the tanning butler goes around applying suntan lotion to the guests at the Ritz-Carlton saltwater pool and beach. Sounds like a really tough gig.

Questions swirled around my brain.  Is he a hot gay man?  What accomplishments does one list on the job application? Is he a lothario? I picture hot rich women propositioning him all day long a la Dirty Dancing.  Coincidentally, my dear friend, Denise was having a bachelorette party in Miami last weekend and lo and behond, we happened to be staying at the Ritz.   Well, I had to put my investigative hat on to find out if these fables were fact or fiction.  You’re welcome, readers.

Friday afternoon, it was Africa hot in Miami so we spent zero time on our lounge chairs and the entire time in the pool drinking $17 frozen cocktails.  I spotted this hot Latin man walking by with a white T-shirt with “TANNING BUTLER” on the back with a little dark ponytail.  He had a HOLSTER that was not filled with guns, but tanning oils and lotions.  I immediately sprang up to grab my camera and snapped this shot.  Sorry to the lady who is spread eagle in front of him.

His name is Miguel and he’s of Cuban and Spanish descent.  He was charming as all hell, hot as a Miami night, and 19 years old.  Of course, I ambushed him with questions about his experience at the Ritz and tried to get an interview for faithful RadioPotato fans.  Due to not having enough time to clear it through the Ritz-Carlton PR team, no dice for the official interview.  Believe it or not, Miguel is putting himself through school to be an accountant (huh?).

The former Tanning Butler “retired” from his position thanks to getting a modeling contract for Armani.  The Ritz-Carlton South Beach went on open casting calls for his replacement.  Miguel did not audition but was spotted elsewhere and chosen as the world’s one-and only…tanning butler.  Overall, we couldn’t help but make our stupid suggestive comments, but Miguel was charming, had a great personality, and took his job seriously as the professional tanning butler.  I’d recommend going to www.hotels.com and booking your trip right away.  Like right now.

Oh, and if you’re wondering why I’m posting this on a music blog, well, um, look at his picture.  But I did find out that his favorite song is ”Una Foto en Branco y Negro” by ”El Canto Del Loco.”  And that’s a fact.

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