Plymouth Hotel Miami

A black-and-white tile courtyard pool deck lined with sun-bleached coral loungers, a chic indoor tiki bar off the intimate jewel-toned lobby and guestrooms where French claw foot tubs appear in unexpected places, The Plymouth Hotel earns serious style points. Designed by Fernando Santangelo (the man behind L.A.’s Chateau Marmont) and situated inside a historic Art Deco landmark on the corner of Collins Park, it feels like a hip hideaway reserved for those in the know—yet it’s only one block from the beach. The Plymouth is also home to an outpost of Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill where diners clamor for omakase and the famous fried chicken.

Miami is my hometown, but I love to feel like a tourist sometimes. In January 2017 The Plymouth Hotel opened near the Bass Art Museum and I knew I had to check it out. The hotel is the brainchild of real estate guru Shawn Vardi and nightlife king Michael Satsky. Designed by Fernando Santangelo, who designed the Iconic Raleigh Hotel in South Beach and the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood, the hotel is a throwback to South Beach before the glitter. As i pulled up to the cabana-lined, Art-Deco building, I felt a sense of comfort, kind of like childhood vacations with family. The oval lobby’s Mid-Century Modern designed space is small, with a quiet bar with floral walls in the center. I felt like this was the kind of bar that I could make friends with the bartender and chat for a few cocktails. I headed to my room which included a very spacious balcony overlooking the park and museum. Even though I wasn’t directly on the beach, I could see a hint of blue ocean in the distance. The room was bright, with navy accents and white linen. The bathroom had high-vaulted ceilings with a rain shower and black-and white tiled floor. For meals, I chose do have breakfast by the pool at canopy-lined tables overlooking private nooks filled with lush landscaping and cantilevered daybeds. At night I dined at the newly-opened Blue Ribbon sushi restaurant. The eatery is helmed by Chefs Bruce and Eric Bromberg. With locations in LA, NYC and now South Beach, the eatery has developed quite a name. The menu pairs flavorful sushi/sashimi with a variety of signature dishes including the fried chicken, which we paired with oxtail fried rice. What I liked about my night at the Plymouth is that it was a different South Beach experience. It was near all of the glittery luxuries that the area has to offer, but in a secret hideaway. Throughout the stay I strolled through the park and were welcomed by the friendly staff upon each return - it was like I was coming home.