A South Beach retrofit with a famed New York cocktail bar.
Encompassing a complex of five whitewashed art deco buildings, the 81-key Washington Park Hotel fits right in with the retro patina of Miami Beach, though a contemporary refresh of the interiors has it primed for the modern age. Designed by local firm Big Time Design Studios, the neutral-hued lobby yields sofas with bold-patterned pillows, wicker lighting fixtures, and side alcoves that reveal such surprises as throwback pinball and Pac-Man machines. In the rooms, warm wood finishes and an abundance of natural light from oversize windows are offset by colorful artwork, while bathrooms are stocked with Beekman 1802 amenities. Hang out in a poolside hammock or borrow one of the custom Martone bicycles on hand for a cruise to the beach. Just be sure to return after sundown, when the property’s newest addition, the renowned New York transplant Employees Only, draws the city’s notoriously eager nightlife crowd. One of the first establishments to elevate drink-making to an art form, the South Beach outpost is housed in the historic Coral House building and carries the same craft-specific ethos. (Balkan-inspired cuisine is on the menu). Fans of the original will recognize two of its calling cards: the bartenders in white jackets and the on-duty fortune-teller at the door. Here’s a prediction: You will order the signature late-night chicken noodle soup, served during last call.
Miami