Intimate boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts can be an escape from the South Beach crowds.
sobe beach image by Wimbledon from Fotolia.com
South Beach is a 23-block neighborhood of Miami, home of the architectural art deco movement in the 1930s and '40s. Many of the area's accommodations give a nod to this revolution, especially the boutique inns and hotels. South Beach's tropical nature is also evident in its design hotels, culminating in a unique sense of style and aesthetic.
Sobe You
Plentiful lush vegetation ornament the Sobe You hotel, creating a luxurious, relaxed ambiance. Art deco decor with a tropical twist adorn each of the 10 rooms in the hotel. The primary feature of the Sobe You, however, is its breakfasts, which are made of gourmet ingredients by expert chefs.
Baltic Boutique Hotel
The style of the rooms and lobby of the Baltic Boutique Hotel have not changed since its establishment in 1933, allowing guests to step back in time to art deco's heyday in Miami. The hotel is in downtown Miami, five miles from the beach and walking distance to the shops and businesses of downtown.
Sadigo Court
Open since 1936, the Sadigo Court bed and breakfast and boutique hotel is one of the longest-operating hotels in South Beach. There are four sizes of suites -- 250, 400, 850 and 950 square feet -- all sporting sunny colors and featuring full kitchens and sweeping views of the elegant courtyard. The hotel's cafe serves Mediterranean cuisine and domestic beers.
The Villa by Barton G.
Barton G. Weiss designed and styled this luxury boutique hotel, which he completed in March 2010. The half-acre grounds and 10 rooms are gated, offering exclusivity and intimacy. Intricate furnishing, double king beds and a lavish, golden color palette bedeck each of the individually designed suites. The spa offers Eastern treatments, from acupuncture to face masques.
The Caribbean Court Boutique Hotel
The Caribbean Court Boutique Hotel has a home-made quality about it, from the antique furnishings to the commissioned art work. The Court is home to 18 studio-size guestrooms, each donning mostly muted colors, with the occasional pop of color. The Havana Piano Bar offers nightly live musical entertainment and the Maison Martinique Restaurant serves French-Caribbean fusion cuisine
Hotel St. Augustine
In the South of Fifth District of South Beach is the Hotel St. Augustine, a homey, 24-room boutique hotel and spa. Like many other hotels in South Beach, the St. Augustine is designed in art deco decor, sporting a largely white palette and adorned with handmade wooden furniture. A smoking room can be arranged upon request.
The Tides South Beach
Interior designer Kelly Wearstler is responsible for The Tides South Beach on Miami's Ocean Drive. Dramatic colors of the sunset, designer furniture and ocean vistas beset each of the 45 suites, which range in size from 550 to 2,600 square feet. La Marea, The Tide's restaurant, serves local produce and seafood in Spanish, Italian and American cuisine.
The Mellon Patch Inn
Along the Indian River near South Beach is The Mellon Patch Inn, a boutique bed and breakfast since 1994. The inn's facade is decked out in shocking pink and cyan, and its interior is whimsically furnished and adorned, creating a cheery, welcoming atmosphere. The Mellon Patch's four rooms are individually decorated, with themed murals and decorations.
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About the Author
Mary Freeman is a freelance writer. She has held several editorial positions at the print publication, "The Otter Realm." She traveled throughout Europe, which ultimately resulted in an impromptu move to London, where she stayed for eight months. This life experience inspired her to pursue travel writing. Freeman received a degree in human communication from California State University.
Photo Credits
- sobe beach image by Wimbledon from Fotolia.com
