By: Shayne Benowitz
Miami’s architectural pastiche sets the scene for a charming array of boutique hotels, from historic Art Deco gems to Mediterranean Revival manses, converted Miami Modern motels and even Beaux Arts wonders. There’s nothing like escaping behind a hedge of seagrape leaves and bougainvillea into the sheltering calm of one of the city’s top boutique hotels. You’ll enjoy the quiet comforts of lounging by a courtyard swimming pool, sipping expertly mixed cocktails at intimate lobby bars and retreating into your plush room.
Palihouse Miami Beach
A newcomer to Miami Beach, the Palihouse arrived from hip LA-based boutique hotel group in the buzzing mid-beach neighborhood. They’ve lovingly restored a historic Art Deco gem and created a clubhouse-like lobby featuring a bar and restaurant with an all day menu, as well as a cozy, palm tree-laden courtyard pool. Rooms are “grandma chic” with coral walls, embroidered throw pillows and cheeky portrait art for a cozy, at home feeling. The location is just far enough of the beaten path to make it feel like a true escape, yet close enough to the best parts of the beach.
Mr. C Coconut Grove
Mr. C Coconut Grove is one of Miami’s newest and most exciting hotels. The C is for Cipriani, the family behind the eponymous famed Italian restaurants, largely credited for creating both the bellini and beef carpaccio at the legendary Harry’s Bar in Venice, circa the 1930s. Mr. C is an endeavor of the family’s fourth generation, brothers Ignazio and Maggio, who have already opened hotels in Beverly Hills and New York. In Coconut Grove, Mr. C was designed by Arquitectonica with interiors by Martin Brudnizki, inspired by a sleek luxury yacht. The hotel boasts 100 rooms and the rooftop restaurant, fittingly named, Bellini.
The Plymouth Hotel
A black-and-white tile courtyard pool deck lined with sun-bleached coral loungers, a chic indoor tiki bar off the intimate jewel-toned lobby and guestrooms where French claw foot tubs appear in unexpected places, The Plymouth Hotel earns serious style points. Situated inside a historic Art Deco landmark on the corner of Collins Park, it feels like a hip hideaway reserved for those in the know—and it’s only one block from the beach. The Plymouth is also home to an outpost of Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill where diners clamor for omakase and cult status fried chicken.
Casa Faena
Casa Faena is a companion property to the lavish oceanfront Faena hotel and the brainchild of flamboyant Argentinian hotelier Alan Faena. Situated inside a historic property that tows the line between Art Deco and Mediterranean Revival architecture, Casa Faena is styled as an eclectic Spanish villa with a breezy courtyard lobby. Providing a more budget friendly, boutique version of the over-the-luxury hotel, Casa Faena guests enjoy spacious rooms with custom furniture, dedicated beach service and a chic restaurant.
The Local House
Italian entrepreneur and real estate professional Ciro Campagnoli describes his 18-room The Local House as a “micro-boutique.” Located in South Beach’s relaxed and residential SoFi neighborhood, the hotel is designed to feel like you’re checking into your friends’ beach house for the weekend—and a very chic one at that. In soft shades of blue and sand with white-washed wooden tables and shelves stocked with nautical knick-knacks and hardbound books, the lobby vibe is more Hamptons cool than South Beach neon. The onsite Local House restaurant is a favorite amongst locals, serving fresh fare inside and on the lovely wraparound front patio. Sense also boasts a game room, free paddleboards to borrow and a mellow rooftop pool with views of the ocean just across the street.
The Vagabond Hotel
Reinvigorating Miami’s historic Biscayne corridor, The Vagabond Hotel is a lovingly restored example of Miami Modern architecture. Formerly a motel, the Vagabond has all the hallmarks of the space age MiMo aesthetic, from its kitschy neon sign to playful acute angles, delta wing accents and an interplay between indoor and outdoor catwalks, balconies and courtyards. It also boasts a stellar destination restaurant Gregory’s Diner dishing up all American continental cuisine.
Kimpton Angler’s
A historic Mediterranean Revival boutique hotel with a modern twist, Kimpton Angler’s recently debuted a newly built wing and tower. The heart of the property is a historic Mediterranean Revival building originally built in 1930, but you wouldn’t know it at first blush. The hotel’s lobby and entrance is now accessed through the newly built tower with sleek floor-to-ceiling glass windows, moody lighting and a front desk set before a glistening gold mosaic art piece. Here, you’ll also Minnow Bar and Seawell Fish ‘n Oyster, a restaurant specializing in local seafood and raw bar selections. Kimpton Angler’s also features a brand new rooftop swimming pooland stylish guest rooms in the heart of South Beach.
The Langford
The Langford boutique hotel is housed inside a 1920s Beaux Arts building on the National Register of Historic Places in the heart of Downtown Miami. The classic architecture has been restored and reimagined—and crowned it with a killer rooftop bar and restaurant, Bloom Skybar. Stylish guestrooms feature herringbone hardwood floors, mid-century furnishing, patterned wallpaper and turquoise accents. It’s the perfect location to set out and explore downtown’s buzzy nightlife and dining scene, as well as museums and performing arts venues.
The Freehand Miami
One could argue that the new weave of stylish, affordable boutique hotels in Miami was actually ushered in by a pop-up craft cocktail bar in the courtyard of a defunct historic hotel just north of the South Beach fray. Today, The Broken Shaker is a permanent fixture of Miami Beach nightlife and the anchor of The Freehand Miami, a hip hotel-hostel with both private and shared rooms designed by Roman & Williams in a subtle nautical theme. It’s also home to 27 Restaurant serving seasonal farm-to-table fare inspired by Miami’s melting pot of cultures. Perennially popular amongst locals, it should be at the top of every boutique hotel enthusiast’s list.
Want to see more? Here is a comprehensive list of boutique hotels in and around Greater Miami and the Beaches.