Meet Miami’s Newest Boutique Hotel: Life House, South of Fifth

Miami’s newest boutique hotel Life House, South of Fifth, officially opened this week — and HAP got an inside look.

Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood — called SoFi — is the antithesis of the oh-so-famous, crowded Ocean Drive & Lincoln Road. In this quarter of South Beach, there’s no thumping loud music, rowdy bachelorette parties, nor incessant honking horns; instead, it’s a collection of quiet palm tree-studded sidewalks sporting Art Deco-style dwellings, cafes with outdoor patios, and lesser-frequented beaches.

Innovative boutique hotel group Life House’s newest outpost is right in the heart of SoFi (to those unfamiliar with the brand, one of its main pillars is to bring technology to the forefront of guest experience).

The 26-room bolthole is of Tudor Cottage style, standing out amongst the area’s quintessential Art Deco architecture. This goes without saying: Nobody thinks about a steeply-pitched gabled roof when Miami comes up in conversation.

The entryway garden lounge conjoins Bali-style umbrellas, chic outdoor furniture dressed in pops of yellow & blue, and pots sprouting verdant plants. Afternoons are best spent here soaking up the Floridian sun, chatting with other guests.

The hotel takes cues of inspiration from the likes of an eclectic beach retreat, artisan soul, and the South Beach seawall. With this trifecta in mind, the aesthetic across the hotel plays heavily on varied shades of blues, sienna, golden amber, and deep jade. You immediately notice this when entering the lobby, which hosts both a living room-esque space as well as the hotel’s restaurant, Pretty Swell — expect creative cocktails & veg-forward cuisine inspired by surfing communities worldwide, from Baja to Bali. Coastal-themed treasures are everywhere: ocean-influenced art hanging on the wall, a reclaimed-wood surfboard, high-gloss teal ceiling, plus cane and wicker pendants oozing beachside fare.

Sleep situation-wise, while individuals & couples might prefer the King and Queen rooms, groups can opt for a room with four bunk beds.

Rates start at $225/night (a winning combo: trendy & well-priced). 

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