The Dunns-Josephine Hotel is the perfect blend of bed & breakfast, history and comfort.

The Dunns-Josephine Hotel, a relic of Greater Miami & Miami Beach’s past, finds its way to the 21st century, bringing the dynamic story of Historic Overtown to the forefront.

The hotel is located in the heart of Historic Overtown once a prosperous Black neighborhood during segregation. The likes of Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Josephine Baker stayed here. Now, owner Kristin Kitchen’s Dunns-Josephine Hotel opens its doors for guests to enjoy a stay dedicated to the local community.

The History

Historic Overtown was a flourishing place that quickly declined after the construction of Interstate 95, which dissected the neighborhood and forced many landowners to give up their property. This had a profound impact on the health of the community and on those who remained living there.

After much work to restore the neighborhood to what it once was in its heyday, Historic Overtown is making a comeback. Those who visit will see signs of revitalization in the area.

Room at The Dunns-Josephine Hotel, photo by Annie Spratt

The Rooms

Each room is uniquely designed to honor African American icons, from Aaron Douglas, the creator of the National Urban League newspaper distributed by the NAACP, to Zora Neale Hurston, a famous writer and cultural explorer. Each room brings the essence of the era, style and manner of these historic cultural heroes. With 12 king suites and three double-bed suites, this boutique hotel can sleep up to 30 guests at one time and is great for sorority meetups, family reunions, church visits or a couples vacation or staycation.

Fruit breakfast at The Dunns-Josephine Hotel

Amenities

Enjoy Wi-Fi, cable television and complimentary continental breakfast. The Dunns-Josephine Hotel also offers a library for leisurely reading with a glass of complimentary wine.

Arts & Culture

The deep blue walls and shiny floors swirled in mauve and resin set a tranquil tone for your vacation. The hotel boasts a second-floor art gallery with original works from local and national visual artists.

Things To Do

The hotel is located on a quiet street, with local offerings a stone’s throw away. Directly to the north lies the Overtown Performing Arts Center (OPAC), which hosts private events throughout the year. Nearby, the Lyric Theater is a community gem that has hosted legendary performers throughout the years. Just south of the hotel is A Space Called Tribe, a business center where visitors can rent a desk space for the day and use all the amenities, from the conference room to complimentary tea and snacks in the TRIBE lounge.

Looking for a bite? Groovin’ Bean is just a few minutes away and serves up fresh coffee and hot and cold breakfast options. Early risers can enjoy comfort food at Jackson Soul Food. Lunch lovers can walk over to House of Wings for flavorful wings or head over to Lil Greenhouse Grill for healthy and hearty soul food.

The Dunns-Josephine Hotel is minutes from I-95 and Downtown Miami sites, including: Pérez Art Museum Miami, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and Adrienne Arsht Center. It's also near the artsy Wynwood neighborhood.

By: Ashlee Thomas | June 13, 2022