Miami’s new Moxy hotel puts South Beach back on the map

Is South Beach back? Miami Beach’s lower triangle was once home to the city’s hippest hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs. Although in recent years, the city’s hottest additions have pushed it further north or across the bay to booming neighborhoods like Wynwood, Midtown and Brickell. But the new Moxy Miami South Beach seeks to reestablish South Beach as the epicenter of Miami culture, one mezcal at a time.

The essential: The funky, retro 202-room hotel celebrates Miami’s color, whimsy, and slightly wacky flavor in the form of bright pastels, neon accents, and Havana-inspired details courtesy of Rockwell and Saladino Design Studios. With a rooftop pool and lounge, second-floor pool, health club and restaurant, plus a formal eatery, bar, and taqueria on the lobby level, the Moxy is the ultimate experience. more like a resort one can live in the middle of South Beach.

The location: Located on Washington Avenue south of 10th Street, the Moxy is steps from the lively restaurants of Collins Avenue and two blocks from the real South Beach, home to a vibrant beach volleyball and outdoor gym scene. . Unlike the resorts lining Collins Avenue further north, the Moxy is firmly anchored in Miami and pays homage to the city at every turn.

The rooms: Priced from $ 159 to $ 629, the Moxy’s room strikes a balance between luxurious comfort while providing a high level of value. Each room is inspired in part by the Clyde Mallory Line, an overnight ferry service between Miami and Havana in the 1940s. Much like the liner accommodations, the rooms, which range from queen rooms to king suites, are modest in size but heavy in design via colorful terrazzo flooring, upholstered headboards reminiscent of vintage beach furniture, custom artwork by local artist Squarela Sabol and tinted shades of greens, pinks and shades of blue citrus, all courtesy of The Rockwell Group. The Ocean View rooms on the upper floors have stunning ocean views, while the other rooms offer views of South Beach architecture.

The food: Moxy’s food and beverage program shines. Como Como, the seafood restaurant on the ground floor serves hamachi, ceviche, whole fish and a raw sea bass in a sexy setting, where carved wooden doors and wrought iron archways lead to a space cavernous with moody, subdued lighting and a Latin vibe. In the center of the restaurant is the fire station, a play where diners can watch chefs cook using ancient Mexican techniques, such as fish on a wood and charcoal grill, vegetables roasted in frying pans. cast iron in a charcoal Josper oven and sizzling tortillas on a comal, the traditional flat-top griddle.

Serena Rooftop is Moxy’s rooftop bar and restaurant on the second floor that channels the charming rooftop and terrace restaurants of Oaxaca and Mexico City. Located on a lush terrace, the Mexican restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, where guests can relax while enjoying the extensive menu of share dishes derived from traditional Latin and Mexican cuisine. With its vibrant mosaics in pink, orange and coral, Serena’s garden is inspired by the brightly colored works of the great Modernist architect Luis Barragán.

Speaking of Mexico City, revelers could make their way through Como Como to Mezcalista, a sexy mezcal salon dedicated to the ancient traditions of the revered spirit. We enjoyed a mezcal tasting with bartender Ms. Agave in a private tasting room, where she poured four types of mezcal before heading to the dance floor for nightly festivities.

The atmosphere: At a welcome price for the city, the Moxy caters to all types of groups, from stag parties and families, to couples looking for a low-key weekend getaway. Everyone wins at the Moxy, as evidenced by the pool, where kids could be seen jumping from float to float as groups of friends sipped cocktails and others had their heads sunk deep into a book. In the afternoon, the lobby scene comes alive as revelers start the party in the large circular bar. When Moxy’s guests check in, they walk over to a drink token in hand, ready to start their weekend in South Beach.