COMPILED BY Danielle Weakley PHOTOS Jen Castro (Esmé), Supplied
The architecture and decor of this new crop of hotels only serves to reinforce Miami’s reinvention as a global design capital.
The Goodtime Hotel
With a name like this, it’s no surprise that fun was had in the design of this artistic collaboration between its high-profile owners – producer and singer Pharrell Williams, and Miami nightlife entrepreneur David Grutman. And the good times come not just in the form of legendary weekend pool parties but in the aesthetic too; it boasts everything from pink crocodile-print wallpaper to a pink-striped rooftop pool offset with pastel umbrellas. Yes, there’s a lot of pink at The Goodtime, but that’s what elevates it to Wes Anderson levels of cool and breezy. Go for the vibe, stay for the good looks. | @thegoodtimehotel
Esmé Miami Beach
This revival property on Española Way (opposite top) was known as the Spanish Village when it opened in 1927, and was originally built as a boho artists’ colony. Now, after a long renovation, Esmé has opened its doors. Staying true to its village-like origins, the hotel is made up of eight linked buildings, with the mood and decor transforming from one side of the property to the other. There’s a nod to the joyous decadence of old Art Deco Miami, but homage is also paid to the area’s more mysterious Spanish side, rich in culture and history. Either way, Esmé is not short on atmosphere – nor on unmissable foodie spots, like its intimate Omakase concept, Sushi | Bar. | @esmehotel
Arlo Wynwood
Fun fact: the neighbourhood of Wynwood is home to the largest concentration of street art in the world – and this property (below) draws on the vibrancy of the area’s artistic heritage, making it a feature of the hotel not just via its urban views, but in its approach to design as well. The exterior walls feature works by Miami-based artist Hoxxoh, while on the yoga deck (yes, there’s a rotating roster of wellness gurus here too), collage artist Ari Robinson is creating a Plexiglass mural. Inside, Arlo’s interiors read like a who’s who of contemporary American art, with more than 250 works by artists such as Coruna Luna, Ryan Coleman and Alain Castoriano. | @arlohotels
Pelican Hotel
If you expect a hotel that has been refurbed by Diesel’s founder and creative director Renzo Rosso to be nothing short of the coolest place on Earth, then you’d be right. All rooms here are inspired by classic movie themes, and packed with colour, character, original Art Deco objets and retro furniture. Design enthusiasts will enjoy the mix of vintage pieces from the 1930s through to the 1990s, sourced at flea markets around the world. And the cinematic theme, at once completely kitschy and utterly dreamy, follows guests into the restaurant, the Pelican Café – its dining area features the Hungry and Shortwave chairs recently designed by the Diesel Living team. | @pelicanhotel
Palomar South Beach
If you want the scene of SoBe without all the noise, then Palomar, cocooned on a tiny barrier island against the Collins Canal, will do the trick. Its super-luxe, modern lines echo the hull of a yacht, and despite its insistence on being a retreat from the buzz of South Beach, there’s no shortage of views and drama here. In a nod to the city’s annual Art Basel event, the lobby is littered with art displays, abstract shapes and large swathes of fabric meant to resemble the ripples of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. The rooms follow this laid-back beachy ideal with a soft blue colour palette and sandy wood accents. | @palomarsobe
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