From Spanish Mediterranean-style retreats to luxurious Art Deco digs overlooking the ocean, these top boutique hotels in Miami Beach provide a unique atmosphere in a premier location.
Ideally located on Ocean Avenue, The Betsy is a luxury boutique hotel nestled in a charming, colonial-style building in front of the Atlantic Ocean. With high ceilings, chic striped sofas and large potted palm trees, the atmosphere is both sophisticated and comfortable. Take a dip in the rooftop pool, recline in the sun lounge, or enjoy watching passers-by from the second-story veranda. The hotel’s 130 rooms feature walnut-wood flooring, dip-dyed curtains and elegant Thassos & Carrera marble bathrooms. Using farm-to-table ingredients and sustainable fishing practices, the hotel’s restaurant, SL Steak & Seafood, offers guests the freshest fillets, including a massive 36-ounce (one-kilogram) porterhouse.
In the heart of South Beach’s buzzing Art Deco district, the Redbury is a fun-spirited boutique hotel with a rock’n’roll soul. Signature red-velvet opera curtains frame the entry to the stylish lobby with bohemian-chic accents. The plush guest rooms feature an eclectic compilation of vintage concert posters and record players, complete with a curated selection of nostalgia-inducing vinyl. The famed on-site restaurant, Cleo Mediterráneo, serves shareable plates including snapper ceviche and Moroccan fried chicken in an intimate setting. Non-guests can stop in for social hour from 5pm to 7pm daily to enjoy discount cocktails and bites such as marinated skirt-steak kebabs or 10-hour roasted lamb shawarma.
Across from the lush Collins Park in South Beach, Plymouth is a gleaming Art Deco gem with a tropical clubhouse feel. An oval-shaped lobby is outfitted in jewel tones and opens up to a playful courtyard with black-and-white checkered tiling and a swimming pool. The 110 sumptuous guest rooms are spacious and comfortable with whitewashed hardwood floors, muted heather walls and pink tufted headboards. Serving omakase-style sushi alongside carefully crafted cocktails, the on-site Blue Ribbon restaurant attracts both visitors and locals alike. For a bit of culture, walk over to the historic Bass Museum featuring arts and artefacts from ancient and modern times.
Near the southern point of South Beach, this welcoming micro-boutique is designed to feel like a best friend’s home rather than a hotel. Soft-blue interiors and whitewashed wooden furniture help to create a casual atmosphere. Guest rooms are cozy and inviting with sand-colored or baby-blue striped walls, ocean-themed accents and small balconies with ocean views. Extending from the lobby into the sidewalk, The Local House restaurant serves Southern-style fare and cocktails. After a pre-dinner drink, mix and match small plates such as buttermilk fried chicken and Creole-style red snapper. When done feasting, borrow a stand-up paddleboard and head across the street to the beach, less than a minute’s walk.
The well-known Hotel Breakwater is a luxury boutique located across from Lummus Park on Ocean Drive. This Art Deco marvel effortlessly blends retro design with modern furnishings, creating a fresh and inviting atmosphere. The 99 guest rooms feature contemporary decor with lime-green and sky-blue accents and plenty of light. Downstairs, Havana 1957 offers authentic Cuban-style dishes such as cured beef empanadas and succulent roasted chicken served with spicy black beans and fried plantains, all in a lively indoor-outdoor setting. With live entertainment nightly and a wide variety of imaginative cocktails, pop next door to Ocean’s 10 for a night of drinks and dancing under the stars.
Casa Faena is a slimmed-down, boutique version of its companion property, the luxurious oceanfront Faena Hotel. The Mediterranean-style inn features a breezy courtyard lobby with a lush garden terrace and a mobile suspended elegantly from the ceiling. The 50 guest rooms are bright and airy with the brand’s crimson and white accents. Handwoven Argentinian throws and pillows help create a comfortable, homey atmosphere. Serving North and South American cuisine, the on-site restaurant has a spacious promenade for dining and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Though facilities are limited to a dedicated beach service, guests can access the main Faena Hotel to book appointments at its divine spa.
Overlooking Lummus Park on Ocean Boulevard, the Pelican Hotel is a storied boutique with classic charm and a whimsical flair. Unique retro furnishing and rare one-of-a-kind props give the interior a kitschy art-house appeal. Catering to an imaginative and artistic clientele, the 29 guest rooms are individually decorated, each with its own theme. Grab a seat on the oceanfront patio and enjoy Italian fusion served alongside seafood favorites including a shareable fish-grill platter (lobster tail, grilled scallops, calamari, salmon and jumbo shrimp). Special features include free breakfast, complimentary cocktails and live entertainment.
Built in 1939, this deluxe Art Deco boutique exemplifies South Beach cool. With terrazzo flooring and geometric design touches, the newly renovated lodging maintains its vintage charm while embracing modern glamour. The 33 guest rooms have original hardwood floors, contemporary furnishings in sun-bleached colors and framed coastal artwork. The hotel’s famed Osteria Del Teatro serves up award-winning Northern Italian cuisine alongside a variety of fine wines from around the world in an intimate and classy setting. Make sure to stop in for happy hour from 5pm to 7pm to try signature cocktails and plates such as handmade black squid ink ravioli or meatball sliders on focaccia.
Spread out over four newly restored Art Deco buildings along Collins Avenue, the Washington Park Hotel offers a tranquil respite from the crowds while remaining close to the action. The large property with 182 guest rooms offers fresh and bright accommodation with streamlined decor, soft-gray walls and wood and leather furnishings. The retro kidney-shaped pool with yellow-and-white-striped umbrellas is surrounded by an acre of lush gardens, creating a private atmosphere to relax in. Stretch out on the grass and enjoy games like giant Jenga, or take a nap in a cozy hammock. Services include complimentary yoga classes, stylish Martone bicycles and a courtesy golf-cart shuttle.
Occupying an original 1920s Spanish Mediterranean revival-style building, the Impala brings European beauty to central South Beach. The luxurious boutique boasts Greco-Roman frescoes, rich wood furnishings and a serene, perfumed garden. The 17 deluxe guest rooms are intimate, with warm colors, brass and Murano glass fixtures and Florentine-style headboards. Ideal for couples or solo getaways, the attached Spiga Ristorante serves Italian dishes like baked rigatoni and fettuccine with shrimp and asparagus in romantic, candlelit surroundings. With the charm of the Italian seaside and the privacy of a Mediterranean retreat, this discreet lodging is the perfect tropical getaway.
