Inside the reopening of a boutique hotel nestled in Miami’s Little Havana
The year of hotel reopenings continues, and those in Miami can’t come soon enough ahead of Art Basel in December and the holiday season right after it.
Life House, a boutique chain that touts its “contextually designed hotels” with locations from the Rockies to New England, is reopening its space in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood this month.
Located just minutes from Miami’s famed Calle Ocho district, the building hosting the Life House, Little Havana is a historic 1920s structure, incorporating elements of the Mission style and art deco movement. And with the exception of its burnt orange exterior, it’s quite unassuming in the residential neighborhood.
The 33-room hotel offers a number of communal spaces, starting with the first floor living room lobby, a library and co-working space, a courtyard garden, and a rooftop bar and restaurant, Terras, with a menu inspired by Latin-American street food.
The Living Room lounge showcases custom mahogany millwork accented with Afro-Cuban ceramics, with the intent to showcase an artistic and social movement in 1920s Cuba that, historically, has been overlooked. The guest rooms continue the theme with art by Cuban artist and photographer Leandro Feal. Colombian artist, Sai Vargas, hand-painted a tropical mural that graces the property’s stairwell.
Life House, Little Havana is also growing an on-site vegetable garden on top floor, from where ingredients will be sourced as part of the company’s in-house food and beverage program. Terras, the rooftop bar and restaurant, offers shareable plates inspired by street food from the Caribbean and Latin America.
Guests can also sunbathe in the garden while being served fresh juices, cocktails, and snacks. The cocktail program is centered a small group of spirits—tequila, mezcal, and rum—mixed with specialty tinctures, syrups, and juices, as well as herbs and spices from the property’s rooftop garden.
The reopening of the Little Havana site follows new openings from the brand earlier this year in Denver and Nantucket. Life House expects to launch several more hotels across the country next year, with tentative plans to expand internationally as well.
Guests can make reservations for Life House, Little Havana now; rates start at $189 per night. The hotel is also available for full buyouts and corporate retreats.
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