What It’s Like Staying at Kayak’s Miami Beach Hotel

There’s a very particular formula for capturing the Millenial aesthetic. Mid-century modern furniture, potted monsteras, rust-colored velvet accent chairs, a cool-mist of Santal 26 — and voila! You’ve got an inviting space for late-20, early 30-somethings who want a chic yet minimalistic lodging experience. In this Kayak Miami Beach delivers. 

The one-year-old establishment marks Kayak’s (yes, the booking site) entry into the hospitality world with a physical hotel that can be booked exclusively through its site and app. Discreetly tucked away in the Bayshore area of South Beach, the Streamline Moderne edifice is just two blocks from the waterfront and offers an entirely more serene experience than being in the chaos of Ocean Drive hotels. 

“The building itself is a landmark 1934 Art Deco building off the Collins Canal and before the pandemic, the property was previously named Life House Collins Park,” shares Indy Adenaw the Managing Director of KAYAK Hotels. 

“We chose Miami deliberately – it’s one of the top 10 destinations searched on KAYAK, and a city sizzling with nightlife, culture, and glamor. Tucked between a canal and the sea, we found a beautiful art deco landmark that was the perfect spot for our own living lab,” Adenaw adds. “The hotel is steps away from South Beach’s modern Bass Museum, and surrounded by restaurants and nightlife that range from charming to iconic.”

Kayak Miami Beach’s in-house Middle Eastern restaurant, Layla.

Upon entering the lobby, you’re hit with copper and rust-colored settees, wicker chairs, and a bar that is reminiscent of Jason Lee’s in Heartbreakers. There’s a self-check-in station with staff on hand for assistance — otherwise, you sign in and make your own room key card (apparently Millenials voted, they really like little human interaction). 

I personally enjoyed the eco-friendly-glass-cup-infused water stations on each floor and the attentiveness of the young staff. But I also would have loved a little more instruction on bar hours, building amenities, local attractions, and most importantly, how to correctly order room service. A small informational booklet in the lobby or rooms could be a quick solution for this.