The National Hotel
1677 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL, United States, 33139
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#26 of 40
expert-rated hotels in Miami- Recommended for:
- Couples, Culture vultures, Honeymooners, Singles, Stag / hen parties, Design and architecture, History, Live entertainment, Nightlife, People watching
Expert review of The National Hotel
Beautifully preserved 1930s hotel at the centre of modern South Beach scene.
The National is another of the Art Deco era’s most recognisable buildings, a tall, classic structure at the heart of South Beach. I’ve visited almost all of these period hotels and for me at least, none surpasses The National in its preservation of that 1939 look and feel. You almost feel underdressed not walking into the amazing lobby in a tuxedo. It’s been honoured by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Location:
Sandwiched between the Delano and the Sagamore, The National sits on one of most hotel-heavy sections of Collins Avenue, close to the shops, restaurants and bars and on the same stretch of wide beach as its neighbours.
Bedrooms:
The hotel has two separate accommodation blocks, each with its own style. The main tower houses 115 rooms, with slightly less than half giving sea views. They’re recently refurbished, brightly decorated and comfortable enough, but suffer from the same unavoidable problem as almost every other hotel of the period – they’re small in size. A 36-room poolside cabana block opened last year, with much larger rooms and suites decorated in colonial African style with animal prints and dark wooden furniture.
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Public areas:
From its original marble floor, to the decorative curved balcony railings, giants pillars and period lifts, everything about the lobby takes you back to that first, golden era of Miami Beach’s hotels boom. You’ll hear tinkling piano and jazz music to enhance the experience as you wander through to the restaurant and pool.
Eating and drinking:
The Restaurant at The National has both indoor and outdoor terraces and offers a perfectly reasonable Mediterranean-focused menu. The Aqua Bar and Grill is a familiar poolside amenity while the Blues Bar martini and cocktail lounge is another authentic hark back to that bygone era.
Leisure facilities:
Facilities here are limited, with spa treatments available in-room or poolside, while bicycle rentals are available for the more energetic. The swimming pool is striking. It’s a 205-feet infinity pool, surrounded by comfortable loungers and well-appointed cabanas and would be perfect for a relaxing afternoon if only somebody would turn down that blaring music coming from the Delano next door.
Service:
Staff are generally courteous, polite and helpful.
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Who stays there:
Despite appearances and its period ambience, The National also hosts a good number of live music events and attracts a young, party-going set along with older visitors who want to appreciate the hotel’s history and culture.
Price advice:
It’s worth the extra for a cabana room.
Pros:
Historic hotel
Heart of the action
Wonderful pool
Cons:
Noisy pool area, thanks to neighbours
Small rooms in tower block
More information on The National Hotel:
- Price from:
- Type:
- Hotel
- Address:
- 1677 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL, United States, 33139
- Amenities:
- Business Centre, Fitness Centre, High-Speed Internet, Parking, Pets Allowed, Restaurant, Room Service, Swimming Pool
