Occupying a muted coral-pink edifice building nestled beside South Beach’s iconic Española Way, it’s hard to believe that one of Miami’s chicest boutique hotels quietly resides next to this bustling pedestrian plaza—where restaurants and bars host night-goers from dusk till dawn.
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However, this understated personality suits the revitalized Esmé Miami Beach excellently. Its history began over 100 years ago as an artists’ colony created to rival New York’s Greenwich Village. From the 1920s to the early 1950s, it became a hotspot for icons like Lucille Ball and Al Capone, who ran an underground gambling business out of Esmé’s (then known as The Clay Hotel) guest spaces.
Nods to this illustrious past can be found throughout this design-forward hospitality haunt, which recently won a MICHELIN Key earlier this year. The befitting Spanish-Mediterranean architecture exudes character, bringing Miami’s suave atmosphere to life across 145 guest rooms spread throughout the eight-building property. The award-winning interiors, crafted by designer Jessica Schuster, set the tone as you glide through the jewel-toned foyer. A maroon carpeted hallway, flanked by bespoke furnishings, leads to a vintage key-lined check-in desk and an intimate seating area backed by an astrology-inspired mural and an inviting leather banquette.
Guests can opt to stay in The Village (the rooms located in the main building along Española Way) or the characterful Casa Matanza outpost (which translates to “massacre,” symbolizing the stay’s past life being Al Capone’s home). Punchy-colored, floral-patterned wallpapers dress the hallways leading to the vibrant chambers swathed in saturated color palettes of rosy pink, chartreuse green, and peachy pink.
Avant-garde details like bamboo ceiling fans, leopard-print curtains, and accent pillows give each space an allure straight out of Scarface, capturing a romanticized, vintage Miami vibe. This atmosphere is incredibly vivid in the bold Matanza Suite, clad in authentic Spanish tile flooring and intricate walls, as well as in the Capone Suite, which includes a private balcony, separate living room, and dining area. Exclusive amenities unique to these suites, such as complimentary newspaper delivery, same-day pressing and laundry service, and deluxe turndown assistance, enhance the elevated aura.
When it comes to dining, Esmé offers everything you could desire without having to leave the hotel grounds. Lounge poolside at the rooftop oasis aptly named The Roof, where you can indulge in casual plates like mahi-mahi fish tacos and refreshing sangria while DJs set the perfect weekend vibe.
Depending on your mood, three distinct eateries await as nightfalls: The Drexel, which serves cuisine that pays homage to the coastal hamlets of Europe’s Mediterranean; Tropezón, an Andalusian-style gin and tapas bar located off the lobby of Casa Matanza; and Sushi Bar, the hotel’s newest omakase speakeasy, featuring only 12 seats and a 17-course menu of innovative nigiri bites from land and sea.
If you fancy a nightcap like us, you can’t miss the latest cocktail bar opening: the Bamboo Room by Trader Vic’s. Nestled within the Esmé Village, this lounge once housed Al Capone’s gambling operation, with the centerpiece wraparound bar serving as the poker corner where he and his accomplices would enjoy a game or two. Inside, ambient lighting sets a moody tone as the spirit of 1930s tiki culture melds with modern sophistication. Savor the inventive “Hinky Dinks,” a creative twist on the classic Mai Tai, or try “The Park Lane,” a tea-infused blend of Tanqueray and pineapple amaro, as live music sets the evening’s rhythm.
To conclude, Esmé Miami Beach serves as a chic hideout for those looking to immerse themselves in the vibrant Miami scene while savoring the exclusivity—and secretive essence—that every hotel guest treasures during their travels.
Top Takeaways:
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
Address: 1438 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Rating: Four-star
The vibe: A design-forward boutique hotel hideaway along South Beach’s buzzy and historic Española Way.
Food + Drink: Choose from The Roof, a rooftop oasis serving casual bites like mahi-mahi fish tacos and sangria by the pool with weekend DJ vibes; The Drexel, offering Mediterranean coastal cuisine; Tropezón, an Andalusian gin and tapas bar at Casa Matanza; Sushi Bar, an intimate 12-seat omakase speakeasy with a 17-course nigiri menu; and, last but not least, Bamboo Room by Trader Vic’s, the latest cocktail bar addition.
Our favorite part of the hotel: The 1930s-inspired charm and history-packed Bamboo Room by Trader Vic’s—rumored to have once been Al Capone’s gambling headquarters. (An awe-inspiring experience awaits.)
Amenities: Rooftop swimming pool; Beach nearby; Beach umbrellas & chairs; Room service; Free Wifi; Good Breakfast; Fitness services; 4 restaurants
What’s nearby? Miami Beach Boardwalk; Miami Beach; Art Deco Historic District; Lummus Park, Miami Beach; Miami Beach Botanical Garden; Miami Art Museum
Any personal neighborhood recs? Española Way buzzes with lively restaurants and bars. For an authentic taste, start with aperitivo at The Drexel, then head to their newly revamped, intimate omakase speakeasy, Sushi Bar.
Rooms? 145
Pricing: Rates start at $133/night.
Closest airport: Miami International Airport (MIA)
