Pros

  • Central South Beach locale
  • Friendly, accommodating staff
  • Beach across the street
  • Free breakfast and happy hour
  • Pool in lovely tropical courtyard
  • On-site restaurant and bar
  • Stunning vintage lobby
  • Access to sister hotel next door
  • Free Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Small rooms with drab decor
  • Noise from other rooms and neighboring hotel
  • No ocean views
  • No fitness center
  • Lobby periodically invaded by tour groups
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Bottom Line

The 80-room Essex House Hotel is a bastion of Art Deco architecture and decor — so much so that groups of tourists regularly tramp through the lobby on guided tours. And that's not the only hubbub that disrupts this so-called "oasis of calm." The party at the adjacent Clevelander often continues into the wee hours, and the noise keeps some guests awake. On the plus side, there's a tiny pool in a lush, tropical courtyard, a feature that many South Beach hotels lack. Generous freebies include a basic continental breakfast, happy hour cocktails, and fresh towels to use at the beach across the street. Considering the location in the heart of South Beach, this hotel is a terrific value.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Essex House

Scene

Vintage memorabilia surrounded by a jazzy, earth-toned decor

Inside the painstakingly restored lobby, it's easy to feel as if you've been transported back to the hotel's first go-round in 1938. The earth-tone color palette and jazzy fabrics on boxy club chairs blend with original details such as the speckled terrazzo tile floors and hexagonal windows. Original, quirky details include an immense mural depicting the Florida Everglades above a curved marble fireplace and several chrome replicas of spaceships and propeller planes. The hotel also displays works from prior Art Basel exhibitions and rotates its own pieces periodically.

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Location

Located in the heart of South Beach, near array of tourist sights

Essex House is located on Collins Avenue in the heart of South Beach. The famed Ocean Drive is one block away and The Clevelander, where guests enjoy priority access to amenities including the rooftop bar, is within a two-minute walk. There are also dozens of shops and restaurants within walking distance along Collins and Ocean Drive. Miami International Airport is about 20 minutes away by car under ideal traffic conditions, while reaching the area’s convention center takes less than a 10-minute drive.

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Rooms

Modern (if slightly drab) decor, with some complaints of noise; higher-tier bathrooms are well-apppointed

Standard rooms are a bit cramped, while higher-tier rooms and suites offer considerably more space. All are decorated in a muddy combination of pea green and brown that make strike some as a bit cheerless, but furnishings are modern; all in all, the rooms are still among the nicest for the price in South Beach. Guests have complained of thin walls, with noise easily heard from the corridor and other rooms. Standard bathrooms are nicely renovated in vintage style, with marble walls and pedestal sinks. However, there's little room to stash toiletries. Larger suite baths have ample storage space and jetted tubs.

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Features

Lots of welcome extras, including free breakfast and happy hour; an on-site Asian-Fusion eatery offers additional cuisine

The hotel has a lobby bar with outdoor seating that doubles as the breakfast room, where free morning meals are served daily for guests. There's also Zen Sai, an on-site Asian-Fusion restaurant and lounge that's open for dinner. Each afternoon there’s free lemonade in the Essex House lobby and an evening happy hour with wine, beer, and snacks.

See More Features

Things You Should Know About Essex House

Also Known As

  • Essex Hotel Miami Beach
  • Essex Miami Beach
  • Essex House Hotel South Beach
  • Essex House

Room Types

  • Standard Room
  • Suite
  • Superior Room

Address

1001 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, Florida 33139-5011, United States

Phone

(305) 534-2700

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Essex House

Scene

Vintage memorabilia surrounded by a jazzy, earth-toned decor

Inside the painstakingly restored lobby, it's easy to feel as if you've been transported back to the hotel's first go-round in 1938. The earth-tone color palette and jazzy fabrics on boxy club chairs blend with original details such as the speckled terrazzo tile floors and hexagonal windows. Original, quirky details include an immense mural depicting the Florida Everglades above a curved marble fireplace and several chrome replicas of spaceships and propeller planes. The hotel also displays works from prior Art Basel exhibitions and rotates its own pieces periodically.

See More Scene

Location

Located in the heart of South Beach, near array of tourist sights

Essex House is located on Collins Avenue in the heart of South Beach. The famed Ocean Drive is one block away and The Clevelander, where guests enjoy priority access to amenities including the rooftop bar, is within a two-minute walk. There are also dozens of shops and restaurants within walking distance along Collins and Ocean Drive. Miami International Airport is about 20 minutes away by car under ideal traffic conditions, while reaching the area’s convention center takes less than a 10-minute drive.

See More Location

Rooms

Modern (if slightly drab) decor, with some complaints of noise; higher-tier bathrooms are well-apppointed

Standard rooms are a bit cramped, while higher-tier rooms and suites offer considerably more space. All are decorated in a muddy combination of pea green and brown that make strike some as a bit cheerless, but furnishings are modern; all in all, the rooms are still among the nicest for the price in South Beach. Guests have complained of thin walls, with noise easily heard from the corridor and other rooms. Standard bathrooms are nicely renovated in vintage style, with marble walls and pedestal sinks. However, there's little room to stash toiletries. Larger suite baths have ample storage space and jetted tubs.

See More Rooms

Features

Lots of welcome extras, including free breakfast and happy hour; an on-site Asian-Fusion eatery offers additional cuisine

The hotel has a lobby bar with outdoor seating that doubles as the breakfast room, where free morning meals are served daily for guests. There's also Zen Sai, an on-site Asian-Fusion restaurant and lounge that's open for dinner. Each afternoon there’s free lemonade in the Essex House lobby and an evening happy hour with wine, beer, and snacks.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.