Miami Nice: The Design Hotels We’re Obsessed With

Resplendent with tropical hideaways, subterranean bars and palm-fringed pools, these are the Miami masterpieces to base yourself at when exploring the seriously sexy city

A fiercely chic and dynamic city, Miami's vibrant and fast-paced neighbourhoods are home to some of the world's best-loved art and design. Where palm-fringed beaches, art deco buildings and mid-century architecture line sun-drenched avenues, a community made up of myriad different tastes and tribes thrives. Flit between independent galleries, feast in edgy eateries and dance into the sunset. But, hold on. Before you stuff that suitcase and board that plane, consider our shortlist of the design-driven hotels to bookmark.

Miami's most sublime design hotels

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Life House, Little Havana

Little Havana

Set in the heart of Little Havana, Life House brings a slice of Cuba to Miami. Inside the 1920s mansion, brightly coloured walls are adorned with paintings and prints from local artists, while the courtyard is peppered with tropical plants and swaying hammocks. All 33 bedrooms, spread across three floors, have a vintage aesthetic: picture dark-wood detailing, shabby-chic headboards and brass lighting. Dine at in-house rooftop restaurant Terras for a Latin-inspired menu and sweeping views across the Miami skyline.

Address

528 SW 9th Ave, FL 33130

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Soho Beach House

Miami Beach

Let's be real: Soho House never misses the mark. Combining sophistication with dishevelled nonchalance, interiors at the Miami outpost are adorned with jewel-toned furnishings, leather antiques and Venetian chandeliers. Spend days paddling in the rooftop pool, scrub up in the Cowshed Spa or settle for a page-turner in the cosy library. While most are quick to head to the club bar for a nibble and tipple, it's the La Santa takeover at Ocho that draws an achingly cool crowd of creatives - and the occasional Hollywood heartthrob. Come for 7pm and taste-test the sharing menu, where extra-large plates of tacos and quesadillas are best washed down with a zingy passion fruit cocktail.

Address

4385 Collins Ave, FL 33140

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SLS Brickell

Downtown Miami

Injecting a free-spirited attitude into Miami's downtown financial district, SLS Brickell flaunts 55 storeys (yep, seriously) of sleek design peppered with plenty of whimsical touches. Interiors by Philippe Starck feature contemporary artworks and sculptures, while artist Markus Linnenbrink's enormous, colourful mural is impossible to miss. Hop between the hotel's two rooftop pools, before feasting on Italian fare at in-house Fi'lia restaurant. If the truffle pizza is on the menu, order two, and snag a side dish of crispy potatoes, too.

Address

1300 S Miami Ave, FL 33130

hotel

The Betsy South Beach

South Beach

Split between two buildings (the Art Deco and Colonial wings), The Betsy's maximalist exterior hints at the lavish design found within. Get lost in the hotel's labyrinthine corridors, where you'll stumble upon art collections and hidden libraries. Rooms feel more like someone's private apartment than a check-in, check-out affair, thanks to a practical assortment of coffee tables, snug corners and desk spaces. After a full day of exploring, make a beeline to the restaurant for a sustainably sourced farm-to-fork feast, and be sure to bag a table on the balcony for a meal with a sunset view.

Address

1440 Ocean Dr, FL 33139

Photo credit: Todd Eberle

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Faena Hotel Miami Beach

Miami Beach

Brought to us by dazzling husband-and-wife-duo Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, the glitz and glamour of Faena Hotel Miami Beach is hardly surprising. Highlights include Damien Hirst's 24-karat gold mammoth skeleton at the entrance and furnishings clad in red leather and animal print. Take a dip in the cross-shaped swimming pool or head to the subterranean bar to sip on craft cocktails beneath gilded ceilings and playful murals.

Address

3201 Collins Ave, FL 33140

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Casa Faena

Mid Beach

Everyone knows Casa Faena for its dramatic red-and-white painted facade, but its interiors are just as spectacular - a whitewashed space framed by enormous archways gives way to colourful handcrafted furnishings. Rooms are decked out with ornately framed beds and subtle antique touches. It's not often that you can truly scream about a hotel's breakfast, but this Spanish-inspired menu really delivers. Start your day with eggs, chorizo and frittata, before exploring the Mid Beach neighbourhood. After dark, Casa Faena becomes an oasis for a laid-back crowd, dishing up tasty tapas and creative cocktails. We'll meet you there.

Address

3500 Collins Ave, FL 33140

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1 Hotel South Beach

South Beach

1 Hotel manages to cultivate a no-frills vibe without compromising on luxury or style. You'll find a stylish crowd draped over daybeds beside one of the hotel's four outdoor pools and juice-fuelled fitness bunnies in the wellness centre and spa, which offers a range of complimentary classes. Bedrooms have been converted from former condominiums and come fitted with state-of-the-art kitchens and bathrooms complete with cavernous tubs and separate rain showers. With a natural colour palette throughout, guests can expect lots of rough-hewn white oak and a wood-grained floor. Be sure to test out the in-room yoga mat.

Address

2341 Collins Ave, FL 33139

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Esmé Miami Beach

South Beach

Labelling itself as a village rather than a hotel, Esmé Miami Beach is the sort of place you'd come to every day if you lived close enough. A boho Spanish and Latin design can be traced throughout the property. Spanning four categories, each of the 145 rooms is individually designed, but all share the same bold colour palette, with bathrooms set to rival those of your favourite spa retreat. Pull up a stool at the bamboo-clad bar, kick back in a rattan armchair or bask the afternoon away on one of the pool-facing pin-striped sofas.

Address

1438 Washington Ave, FL 33139

This article was updated 25 August 2022. It contains affiliate links, which means SUITCASE may earn a small commission if you click through and book.

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