Miami Sizzles With Hot Spots – Hotels (Part I)

If you are looking for something different the next time you are in Miami, then try one of our favorite boutique hotels. They offer a more intimate experience and a nice calm before the storm of the South Beach nightlife scene. Maybe that is why so many celebs like Kimora Lee, Heidi Klum, Tyson Beckford, Tara Reid, P Diddy, Dennis Rodman, Jamie Fox and Jada Pinkett Smith opt for a smaller boutique hotel that offers more privacy and extra personal attention.

One of our favorites is Hotel Ocean, which is located right across the street from the beach. It is a bit hard to find, but we almost like it that way. The hotel is tucked away off of the busy and noisy Ocean Drive, so it is more peaceful than you would imagine. The courtyard outside has a charming fountain and takes you back to a European small town.

The rooms are hip, inviting and spacious, especially for Miami. With less than 30 rooms, this place is a real boutique hotel. You’ll find flat screens and refrigerators in every room plus a mini bar in most rooms. You can tell they spent some coin inside your room whether it is the etching of the molding on your ceiling or the vivacious tile in your Moroccan inspired shower. The Penthouse is amazing with a great view and private balcony.

They serve continental breakfast each morning which is a nice bonus. But the real dining gem here is their authentic Italian restaurant called Hosteria Romana.

Another one of our journeyPod Picks is the Metropole Hotel South Beach. The rooms are 1 & 2 bedroom suites that feel more like a comfy condo than a standard hotel room. We loved the high thread counts in the bedrooms and the avant garde decor. Even on busy Collins this hotel was also a bit quieter than we imagined. Flat screens, couches, and a full kitchen with a microwave rounded out the posh suite we had. Then we headed over to their superfun sister property, The Catalina Hotel + Beach Club.

While Hotel Ocean and The Metropole are known for their privacy, The Catalina is known for turning things up a notch! The hotel knows how to party. They have a trendy feel with plenty of style points. Think Miami minimal white themes with splashes of color. The bar and restaurant are hopping almost 24/7, and this vibe carries throughout the property. They offer a happy hour each night with free drinks for hotel guests, so that should get your night started. The hotel also has 2 rooftop pools which is rare in South Beach.

What is even more rare is that both the The Catalina and Metropole offer a complimentary airort shuttle.