We stayed at The Winterhaven Hotel for a few days last summer, on Ocean Drive in the heart of Miami's Art Deco Historical District.
We booked this hotel based purely on it's looks and location, and were not disappointed in either department !
When the Winterhaven Hotel opened in 1939 it was advertised as an "ultra modern" hotel with "large outside rooms," "a skytop solarium," "spacious lobby and mezzanine," "large veranda overlooking the ocean," and "$1 per night" rates. It's still pretty much the same, except the $1 per night rates, although it's still pretty good value - check Expedia or similar for the best bargains...
The hotel was designed by Albert Anis, one of the top Art Deco architects, in the streamlined style of the day, and a recent two year, top-to-bottom restoration focused on the hotel's dramatic double-height lobby, winding staircase, original glass-ball railings and multi-level mezzanine - it's all really impressive when you walk in.
Decorative details such as the ornate Chinese mirrored panels, and the etched glass recessed wall panels were meticulously restored, and exact replicas were made of the original chandeliers, sconces, and maple and mirror registration desk. A new wood and glass bar curves along one wall.
The Winterhaven Hotel is a small hotel, and is located directly across from the Atlantic Ocean towards the top of Ocean Drive. Although not right "in the thick of things", it's only 2 minutes walk from where things are a bit busier, and you'll appreciate that when it's time to sleep and a million drunk tourists are partying hard out of earshot down the street...
Most of the 70 guest rooms feature spectacular beach and ocean views, although be warned, a "partial" ocean view may involve a bit of neck craning and should probably be described as "City view"
- SUITES - One or two-bedrooms suites with king or queen size beds and connecting living room with queen size pull down bed. Direct oceanfront view. - OCEANFRONT- Corner oceanfront view room with king or queen size bed. Can connect to another oceanfront or ocean view room. Great for families, friends travelling together, or business meetings and informal entertaining. - OCEAN VIEW - Ocean view, king or queen size bed. - CITY VIEW - South Beachskyline view, king or queen size bed. - CITY VIEW (Single) - Located on first or second floor, rooms have 2 twin size beds
All guestrooms are decorated in custom designed Art Deco style furniture upholstered in soothing tones of soft green, ginger and cream. Warm yellow walls are accented with black and white photos of classic Miami Beach Deco hotels. Wooden Venetian blinds add to the airy, tropical feeling.
The pool's nothing on that at The National - but who needs one ? The ocean's just acress the street ! Also, there's no restaurant, although they do serve a "continental" style breakfast in the lobby - or even on the verandah. There are also a hundered excellent eateries just a few blocks down Ocean Drive, so we didn't find the lack of a restaurant a problem at all.
There's also the AMAZING "Jerry's Famous Diner" just around the corner at 1450 Collins Avenue, everything you could ever want for breakfast, lunch and dinner !
As with most South Beach hotels, there's no car park, but a valet parking service is available with a $25 daily fee. Just a reminder that you'll need to give them a little bit of notice when you need your car, but they were certainly pretty quick for us. If you're not as lazy as us (!), save a few dollars and park at the nearby 13th Street and Collins Ave. garage for a rate of $8 per day...
Winterhaven Hotel South Beach 1400 Ocean Drive South Beach Miami Beach FL 33139 Tel: 800-395-2322 Fax: 305-538-6387
Overall, I loved this little (and cheap) hotel, and it would be at the top of my list for any return visit to Miami's South Beach area - unless I've got enough cash to stay at The National (check out my other reviews)....
I hope this helps...
Pictures of Winterhaven Hotel, Miami Beach
Winterhaven
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