Behind Miami’s coolest hotels? Women. Obviously.

Design, Detail, and Femme Energy: Miami’s Female-Owned Hotel Scene

After a bubbly, champagne-filled brunch, relaxing tan session at the beautiful blue beaches, and a crazy night at a luxury nightclub, where would you want to crash to do it over again the next day? While the city of Miami has a lot to offer travelers with different passions, from neon nightclubs to swamp nature tours, where you stay can be a crucial part of the success of any trip. It is your place of solace and peace at the end of a wild day, and where you wake up to begin the next wild day. Miami is one of the most iconic tourist destinations in the United States, especially for girls' trips. Feel more understood aesthetically, fashionably, and femininely when you stay at these women-owned hotels. A woman’s touch and eye can transform the cookie-cutter nature of many modern hotels into one that exemplifies intentional design choices, unforgettable elegance, and warmth. 

1. Cardozo South Beach 

Cardozo South Beach is an Art Deco dream spot. The Art Deco style that follows you as you roam Miami’s famous Ocean Drive immerses you in the history of the vibrant city. Nestled in the iconic street lies the manifestation of a lifelong dream of famous Cuban American singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan. Estefan was raised in Miami and is no stranger to the city's development into a cultural hub and tourist hotspot. Her hotelier debut pays homage to both her Cuban heritage as well as her roots as a Miami native. It is no surprise that her very own Art Deco Ocean Drive hotel would perfectly encapsulate both the modern and traditional architectural beauty of South Beach. 

It was redone a few years ago in an extensive $15 million renovation to revamp the hotel in 2019. The renovation kept and even restored some of the original 1930s Art Deco design elements, such as a terrazzo floor, rounded windows, and patterned flooring. The preservation of historical design, coupled with modern flair, makes even the hotel lobby a beautiful place for a photo op. The rooms are all white with gold accents on the furniture, keeping it sophisticated with a touch of flashiness (just like the city itself). The Estefans made the hotel personal to them, making decisions on designs together as a couple to make sure their distinct tastes were found in each corner. 

Besides being a gorgeous boutique hotel owned by a Grammy winner, the hotel has also been the place where some iconic old movies have had scenes filmed. Sleeping in a room designed by Estefan in the same establishment where There’s Something About Mary was filmed. A beautiful, centrally located hotel that has been graced by Gloria Estefan, Cameron Diaz, and Ben Stiller, what a Miami way to stay. 

2. The Betsy Hotel

Another stunning Ocean Drive find, The Betsy Hotel stands proud as a beacon of refined luxury and elegance. It is independent and family-owned, and a great alternative to staying at the monotonous hotel chains that are springing up all over the city. The family-owned touch is shown in the design and attention to detail that the wonders and those involved in the design of the building have made. The hotel is a blend of classic and timeless elements and vibrant and bold artsy architecture that Miami is known for. The hotel is co-owned by Lesley Goldwasser, a successful Wall Street executive, hotelier, philanthropist, and total inspiration for any woman who is looking to succeed in multiple facets. 

Goldwasser is not just a co-owner, but also the art curator for the hotel. She has extensive experience as a curator and has gained traction in the art scene for her art shows, she knows her stuff. The Betsy is not just a place for weary travelers to rest, but also an arts center for its visitors. The hotel features multiple art galleries, a stunning private library, and a large event space that’s dedicated to community and creative engagement. The event space often houses jazz shows and rotating art exhibitions. The emphasis on arts and culture in the hotel highlights how a woman’s touch can transform hospitality into an immersive experience for every guest. 

3. Esme Miami Beach 

Departing from Ocean Drive at last, we take a short trip to Miami Beach’s also iconic Española Way. Esme takes a turn away from Miami Beach’s Art Deco style and features a take on more Spanish and Mediterranean architecture. Plentiful terracotta tones, detailed tiling, and flourishing greenery surround it, making it feel closer to a traditional Spanish building rather than the ultramodern skyscrapers found downtown, an instant time machine and plane ride to something different from the sleek and silver Miami has become. A bohemian flair in an area so up and coming. 

The hotel is led by visionary women who have made it feel less like a hostel or quick place to stay, but a home away from home for their guests. The Bohemian and European influence can be attributed to designer Jessica Schuster, who was paramount in transforming the hotel into what it is now. Velvet flooring, plants in wicker pots, and warm lighting all draw guests into a boutique that makes their stay feel like it is far away from North America and instead somewhere in a cozy yet elegant European village. The strongest remnants of the Art Deco scene can be found in the bathrooms and bedrooms of the hotel rooms themselves, with popping color schemes and rounded edges. 

4. Casa Faena 

A little further away in the Faena District of Miami Beach is Casa Faena. It is the picture of what comes to mind when hearing the words Miami Beach boutique hotel. Chic, square, with a contrast of color on the outside, it both stands out and fits in perfectly with its surrounding scenery. Similar to Esme, the hotel features more of a classical Spaniard style rather than the Miami Art Deco style. Early 1900s Mediterranean colonial architecture, coupled with the remnants of Art Deco, makes it both warm and elegant yet whimsical and colorful. 

The room's design elements help make it feel like a romantic Spanish cottage, far removed from the hustle of everyday life in Miami. The rooms have touches that make the place feel personable. The addition of hand-woven towels, warm color palettes, and carved wooden furniture makes the place feel cozy and homely yet luxurious and pampering. The hotel also hosts many cultural exhibitions and events to celebrate the arts for both its guests and Miami locals. The Faena District is home to many culturally immersive places, especially eccentric of diverse culinary options.