ESME Miami, an art deco delight

ESME Miami, an art deco delight

Travel Weekly’s editor at large, Nancy Hromin stopped over to Miami Beach on route to the Hay Literary Festival, enjoying a 36 hour break in the city where suntan lotion was invented.

Esme Miami Pool. (Supplied)

Strong Cuban influence, warm weather, and home to the world’s largest collection of art deco architecture, Miami is fun on steroids. We stayed at Esme’s, the hotel describes itself as “once a colony of artists and outcasts” and we could imagine the speakeasys that went on behind closed doors.

Esme Miami. (Supplied)

The location 

Española Way is in the heart of South Beach and a delightful nod to Spanish and other Mediterranean villages. It was created as a “historic Spanish village” by NBT Roney in 1925 and was designed to resemble the romantic Mediterranean villages of Spain and France. The art deco architecture is stunning and beautifully preserved making this neighbourhood one of the prettiest ones to stay in. Miami is home to the world’s largest collection of art deco architecture so if you are an art deco aficionado, this is the place to visit. The neighbourhood also hosts flamenco and salsa dancing and there is a fabulous open air local makers market.

Casa Matanza Exterior. (Supplied)

The Stay 

“Give me a hotel that feels as if I have returned home and that is all I can ask”  

 This sums up our experience at Esme’s.

Warm and friendly hosts at Esme’s made the check transition smooth, especially after such a long flight.

Rooms 

145 uniquely decorated guest rooms and suites, our rooms were perfectly styled, with unique artwork throughout. It was spacious for sleeping and quiet for the area. 

Village King, pink. (Supplied)

Matanza Suite, entry. (Supplied)

Matanza Suite, bedroom. (Supplied)

Matanza King. (Supplied)

Matanza King Deluxe. (Supplied)

Louise Suite, bedroom. (Supplied)

Good to know 

  • Rooftop pool and bar, open-air wellness space and a choice of restaurants, although it is not far from many cool eateries as well. 
  • Esme’s have a section at the beach with a drinks service and loungers 
  • In rooms: there is a smart TV, tablet with guest directory and virtual snack-minibar, espresso machine, free tea and coffee, drinks minibar
  • Bikes are available to borrow 

The Drexel, interior. (Supplied)

Overall impression

We would highly recommend Esme’s as a hotel of choice for staying in Miami, from the warm and engaging welcome from the staff, the generosity and support in navigating the neighbourhood, the comfort of the rooms, the price point and the location, Esme’s is hard to beat.

Esme Miami, outdoor. (Supplied)

Esme’s is an independent hotel and member of the Preferred Hotels group.

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