Known for its budget-friendly, smartly designed, tech-forward hotels, YOTEL planted a flag in downtown Miami in June 2022 with a sleek new build tower featuring the UK-based brand’s signature “micro” rooms, ample communal space, a lobby bar, rooftop swimming pool and an excellent Middle Eastern restaurant.
Location 7/10
Situated a block from Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, a stay at YOTEL Miami situates travelers in striking distance to cultural and entertainment attractions accessible by foot or aboard the free Metromover rail, including Pérez Art Museum Miami, Frost Science and the Miami Heat’s arena. Centrally located, it’s about a 15 to 20 minute drive to other popular Miami neighborhoods, like South Beach, Wynwood, the Design District, Brickell and Coconut Grove.
While downtown’s nightlife and dining scene has been on a steady rise for years, vacationers still might miss the fact that they’re not closer to the beach. However, the location is convenient for those embarking on a Caribbean cruise. The port is practically across the street.
Design 8/10
Billed as the “hotel experience of the future,” YOTEL Miami is awash in “magentaverse,” the bright, futuristic pink-purple hue that Pantone hailed as the 2023 color of the year. There’s a sleek, high tech appeal to the newly built property, from the option for contactless check-in to the efficient elevator bank that whisks you directly to your floor and wireless mobile charging stations at every turn.
There’s also a playful artfulness to the design, from an enormous popsicle sculpture that doubles as the front desk to the co-working space’s wall tapestries resembling dripping paint and the pool deck with a surreal mural by a local artist.
Come to think of it, YOTEL Miami does feel like a hotel of the future.
Amenities & Hospitality 8/10
For a hotel concept that revolves around basic, yet smartly designed micro rooms, the facilities and common areas have a convincingly luxurious sheen. The lobby bar, with its double height ceiling, is an inviting place to relax with a cocktail; the gym is unquestionably state-of-the-art with Homage and Technogym equipment; and the spacious rooftop pool deck, with its low-slung pastel cabanas, feels more like lounging at your friend’s chic condo than a budget-friendly hotel. This is partly owed to the fact that YOTEL Miami is the brand’s first YOTEL/YOTELPAD concept under one roof, which means that the building’s top floors are, in fact, YOTELPAD condos, many of which can be booked through the hotel for residential-style stays.
And while technology is one of the brand’s pillars, they haven’t neglected the human touch. I found the staff warm and refreshingly anticipatory in their service.
Rooms 6/10
YOTEL rooms are pared down by design. Anchored by their proprietary convertible SmartBed, which can be propped up to resemble something more like a couch at the push of a button, the close quarters are outfitted with a small, built-in desk, a clothing rack and Smart TV. And while there’s a panel for multi-colored mood lighting, I never quite mastered how to use it and was simply grateful that I managed to turn everything off at night without too much fuss. Rooms flow seamlessly into bathrooms with frosted glass shower and toilet stalls. Unfortunately, every time I showered, I managed to soak the floor since the door did not properly seal. But this is the bargain you make with YOTEL. It’s explicitly designed for travelers who plan to be out and about rather than luxuriating in their room.
Food & Beverage 8/10
I was pleasantly surprised by the hotel’s excellent Middle Eastern restaurant, Mazeh. Situated in the hotel lobby, everything I tried on the somewhat pared down menu was delectable. Think, crispy falafel “cigars” wrapped in brick pastry, lamb and fish arayes grilled in pita and the Tiffin box with its assortment of mezzes. They’ve also put a commendable effort into a creative cocktail menu.
Breakfast is served at Mazeh with a selection of “boards” featuring eggs and their accompaniments, like the Middle Eastern with salat, labneh, avocado and tahini served with coffee, tea or juice. There’s a grab-and-go station in the lobby and the bar serves coffee and fresh pastries throughout the morning.
Value 8/10
Rates from about $199 in low season and $240 in high; Book
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a playful, budget-friendly hotel in downtown Miami—with a stylish rooftop swimming pool, to boot—and don’t mind the micro room concept (it’s kinda fun), YOTEL Miami is as good a choice as any.
Contact
227 NE 2nd Street, Miami, 33132; 786-785-5700; yotel.com/en/hotels/yotel-miami
