Angela Caraway-Carlton

With its sleek profile, glassy façade and rooftop pool towering over the busy streets of downtown Miami, The Elser Hotel Miami easily stands out as the ‘cool kid’ among the neighborhood’s more conventional hotel chains. Part residence, part hotel, it draws a diverse mix of guests, from business travelers to giddy cruise-bound vacationers and pet-toting visitors, who easily intermingle with residents going about their daily lives. The hotel’s welcoming, contemporary vibe envelops one upon arrival—perhaps even prompting a relaxed exhale amid the downtown rush—with industrial brick walls, warm lighting and a defining signature scent: Diptyque’s 34 BLVD St. Germain, which boldly wafts through the lobby. (The front desk attendant rattled off the fragrance’s name instantly—apparently, guests regularly ask.) While the woody scent channels the bohemian spirit of Paris, the hotel experience is pure Miami—from a welcome drink spiked with tequila and mango juice, to elevators with artsy backdrops and club-like music, and a prime location within easy walking distance of the city’s top attractions. Why stay at The Elser Hotel Miami? If you’re a first-timer or looking to check off a Miami bucket list, from kitschy tourist stops to top-tier cultural attractions, The Elser offers a sophisticated home base for easy exploration with all the comforts of home. That is, if your home is a posh condo in the sky. With a bevy of attractions located just across the street, you can skip the rental car

While the InterContinental Miami, an IHG hotel, has lorded over the sparkling turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami for more than 40 years, it has evolved – much like the city itself. Fresh off a multi-million-dollar renovation, the iconic hotel shed its former business-centric persona in favor of a more luxe vacation vibe, with rooms and suites that match the enviable bayfront setting. What hasn’t changed? It’s prime perch near Miami’s top cultural and entertainment attractions. From some rooms, you can even spot the cruise port – so, cruisers may catch a glimpse of their ship before setting sail. Why stay at InterContinental Miami If you want a pulse-check on Miami, the hotel’s lobby scene captures the city’s international energy. A swirl of languages babbles through the air as a steady stream of global travelers passes through. You’ll still spot the suits riding the lobby escalators to the sprawling conference rooms and ballrooms, but there’s also a solid mix of groups and families celebrating milestone occasions, pre-and post-cruise guests, and dog parents like me, who want to take advantage of the hotel’s pet-friendly perks. Everyone is here for the convenient location: parks, museums and the Miami Heat sports arena are just steps outside the hotel’s front doors. It’s also close to public transportation that will zip guests to the airport and around Miami. The massive lobby is a lot to visually unpack—grandly wrapped in Florentine marble and bathed in neon l