The Elser Hotel
With its many swanky restaurants, glimmering high-rises, and abundance of shops, open-air malls, and museums, Downtown Miami is the perfect home base for a South Florida vacation. Within its 3.8 square miles, you’ll find dozens of hotel options to suit any style: However, the 49-story Elser Hotel ranks among our faves. Open since November 2022, this luxe property is only steps from Bayside Marketplace — as well as Port Miami, making it an ideal spot for a pre- or post-cruise Miami stay.
What You Need to Know
The Look of The Elser Hotel
The Elser Hotel is housed inside a modern skyscraper and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that provide plenty of natural light. The lobby gives off hip vibes thanks to its exposed brick, striking light fixtures, black and gold accents, and hanging plants. With tons of seating options as well as a library you can borrow books from, it’s an ideal place for people watching — or admiring the contemporary art by Venezuelan artist Paul Amundarain that adorns the walls. Yet-to-debut, you’ll soon find the Jaguar Sun cocktail bar and restaurant off the lobby, which will serve raw seafood and pasta, as well as the Bistro Café Domino, a hip coffee shop.
The entire hotel is incredibly Instagram-worthy, but nowhere more so than its 19,000-square-foot rooftop sun deck. The space features a 132-foot-long wraparound pool, an al fresco bar, a 16-foot LED screen that shows movies, sporting events, and music videos, as well as a lawn area complete with a striking mural by local artist Jeffrey Noble. There’s also plenty of space to soak up the sun on white sofas, daybeds, or chaise lounges — panoramic city views as a backdrop are just the cherry on top.
Last but not least are the stylish guest rooms, which range from studios to three-bedroom suites. Each of the 646 units has a gray color palette, floor-to-ceiling windows, and both city and water views (either of the Atlantic or Biscayne Bay) — best enjoyed from the private balcony, of course. Rooms also have full kitchens as well as spa-inspired bathrooms outfitted with bespoke Italian vanities and rain showers.
The Vibe at The Elser Hotel
Just like the neighborhood surrounding it, The Elser Hotel is (pretty much) always buzzing. Come late afternoon, the rooftop becomes a hotspot that’s packed with people who flock here to watch the sunset while lounging and sipping cocktails.
Who Will Love The Elser Hotel
Families and groups of friends will especially love The Elser Hotel for its spacious accommodations: Even the smallest rooms clock in at over 400 square feet and can sleep up to four people. Also, anyone starting or ending a cruise in Miami will appreciate the hotel’s proximity to the port.