Esmé Miami Beach

Esmé Miami Beach, a Michelin One-Key property, offers a distinctive boutique experience in the heart of South Beach, blending historic charm with Spanish-Mediterranean aesthetics. While highly praised for its design and prime location, some aspects of service and room quality have drawn criticism from guests.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Esmé Miami Beach generally garners a positive sentiment, recognized by the Michelin Guide with One Key, signifying a "very special stay." Guests frequently praise its unique design, beautiful interiors, and excellent location. While its TripAdvisor rating of 3.7/5 might appear modest, reviews often highlight a nuanced experience, with many guests thoroughly enjoying their stay. Tablet Hotels awards it an impressive 18.1/20 for overall stay based on verified feedback. The hotel is often seen as a refreshing alternative to larger, more impersonal chain hotels.

2. Key Highlights

Esmé Miami Beach stands out for several reasons:

• Design & Atmosphere: The hotel transports guests to a "bygone era" with its warm Spanish-Mediterranean architecture and bohemian-luxe interiors. It features white-washed Spanish-style paseos and Art Deco-designed rooms, a result of a five-year, $40 million renovation. This thoughtful design creates a "warm and slightly retro mood" that distinguishes it from typical mid-century modern Miami Beach hotels.
• Location: Situated on the charming and historic Española Way, Esmé boasts an unbeatable location. It's just a 5-6 minute walk to Miami Beach, Ocean Drive, and minutes from the Collins Avenue Shopping Area. Guests appreciate being within the vibrant Art Deco Historic District while feeling somewhat tucked away from the intense hubbub of Ocean Drive.
• Amenities: The hotel offers a lovely rooftop pool and lounge deck that becomes a lively bar in the evenings. Guests also benefit from complimentary bicycles to explore the area and free WiFi throughout the property. Beach access includes two provided chairs and towels daily. Esmé features an impressive array of dining and drinking options, with four on-site restaurants and four bars/lounges.

3. Room Quality

Esmé Miami Beach comprises 145 rooms spread across eight distinct buildings, forming "Esmé Village" and "Casa Matanza." Rooms generally feature stylish and well-appointed designs, often described with "pink and green gem-hued colors," bold patterned wallpaper, and whimsical decor. One guest described their room as the "prettiest, girliest room" with peachy pink walls and matching pink tiles in the bathroom. Beds are typically luxuriously large and comfortable with crisp white linens. Bathrooms are noted for their stunning design, often with pink or green tiled walls, brushed brass hardware, and full-size Grown Alchemist amenities.

However, several recurring points of feedback exist regarding room quality:

• Size: Many guests find the rooms to be on the smaller side, which can be challenging for extended stays or with significant luggage. Limited closet space has also been mentioned.
• Darkness/Mustiness: Some rooms, particularly those overlooking internal courtyards, can be dark and occasionally have a musty smell.
• Hot Water Delay: A common complaint is the significant wait (5-10 minutes) for hot water to come through in the showers.

4. Dining Experience

The dining scene at Esmé Miami Beach is a significant highlight, offering a diverse and impressive selection for a boutique hotel. The property boasts multiple unique restaurants and bars:

• The Drexel: A beautiful cafe reminiscent of Mediterranean coastal towns, serving elevated, simplistic dishes from a wood grill and oven for both breakfast and dinner. Popular brunch items include zucchini pancakes and poached eggs with garlic yogurt.
• Tropezón: A gin-and-tapas concept bar.
• El Salón: Offers small, Latin-influenced plates and a notable cocktail menu.
• The Roof: An extraordinary rooftop restaurant and cocktail lounge next to the pool, providing serene views and a vibrant ambiance. It serves light dishes, sangrias, and hosts a daily happy hour from 4-6 pm.
• Sushi Bar: An intimate 12-seat Omakase speakeasy, known for serving an incredible 17-course meal.
• Bamboo Room by Trader Vic's: A more recent addition, offering a tiki bar experience.

For breakfast, guests can enjoy a continental breakfast from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with prices typically ranging from $25-99 for adults. An American buffet option is also available.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service is somewhat "hit-and-miss," though generally positive. Many reviewers commend the friendly and helpful staff, with specific mentions of individuals like Gabriel, Jennifer, and "Mr. G" the bellman. The service at The Drexel restaurant, in particular, has been described as exceptional.

However, some guests have reported inconsistencies:

• One reviewer noted slow service for baggage retrieval and issues with receiving an invoice, labeling the overall service outside of The Drexel as "meh."
• A significant complaint involved a "horrible wedding experience" due to alleged unprofessional event management, including a double-booked venue and lack of preparation for rain.

6. Location & Accessibility

Esmé Miami Beach boasts an excellent and highly praised location on Española Way, a charming pedestrian street filled with restaurants, bars, and shops. Its proximity to major South Beach attractions is a major draw:

• Miami Beach is a short 5-6 minute walk away.
• Ocean Drive is just a 4-minute walk.
• The Collins Avenue Shopping Area is within minutes, a 2-minute walk.
• The hotel is nestled within the Art Deco Historic District.
• Lincoln Road Mall is a 15-minute walk.

While offering a "little escape," the hotel is conveniently located where "Washington Avenue's busy nightlife scene begins more or less right at Esmé's front door." The hotel also provides complimentary bicycles for guests to explore the area. For those with vehicles, valet parking is available at a cost of $45/day for a car and $55/day for an SUV. The property is also accessible, with accessible public entrances, routes to guestrooms, restaurants, and the swimming pool, as well as specific accessible room types.

7. Value & Pricing

As a luxury boutique hotel and a Michelin One-Key property, Esmé Miami Beach's pricing reflects its upscale positioning. Room rates vary significantly by season, with September typically being the cheapest month (around a 36% price drop) and December being the most expensive (around a 139% rise). Average weeknight prices are around $178, while weekend nights average $304. Rates can start from approximately $93 to $110 per night for a superior room.

Some guests, however, have expressed that the rooms can be "extremely small and expensive for what they are." A common complaint revolves around extra fees, particularly the additional cost for beach umbrellas ($21-22) beyond the two included loungers. Guests should also anticipate a resort fee of approximately $136 and a damage deposit of $300 upon arrival.

8. Common Complaints

Several recurring issues have been noted by guests:

• Noise Levels: This is a significant concern for some, with loud rooftop music and vibrating bass from private parties continuing late into the night, sometimes until 1:30 AM. Guests sensitive to noise are advised to request rooms in Casa Matanza or away from The Roof.
• Room Size & Storage: Many guests find the rooms to be small, which can be particularly inconvenient for those with multiple pieces of luggage, and a lack of sufficient closet space has been mentioned.
• Inconsistent Hot Water: The delay in getting hot water in the showers, sometimes taking 5-10 minutes, is a frequent point of dissatisfaction.
• Room Ambiance: Some rooms, especially those overlooking internal courtyards, have been described as dark and occasionally musty.
• Inconsistent Housekeeping: At least one guest reported that their room was not serviced at all during their stay.
• Hidden/Extra Fees: The additional charges for beach umbrellas and extra loungers are often seen as an unexpected cost by guests.
• False Fire Alarms: One guest experienced multiple middle-of-the-night fire alarms due to a malfunction linked to the restaurant.

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