reviews.
considered, independent reviews of places I’ve experienced with attention to taste, detail, atmosphere, and service
The New Yorker
10 minutes
One of the most memorable features of The New Yorker Miami is its colourful mural work created by a local Miami artist. Visually, the hotel sits somewhere between the whitewashed staircases of Greece and an Andy Warhol exhibition. It is unapologetically bold.
At first glance, it feels like a hotel designed for the twenty-something crowd. Giant flamingos climb across freshly painted walls, bright colours bounce from one corner to the next and almost everything feels worthy of a photograph.
Then the unexpected happens.
Behind the murals are hidden walkways, mature palms and quiet corners that encourage you to slow down. What initially appears to be a vibrant social hotel gradually reveals itself as something altogether different. Rather than chasing energy, it offers peace.
Less party, more meditation. Less South Beach, more somewhere you could happily spend an afternoon reading beneath the trees.
That contrast is exactly what appealed to us when we booked.
I expected a calm, colourful hideaway.
I found exactly that.
The design continues well beyond the murals. Inside reception stands a full-sized shimmering blue mannequin, literally covered head to toe in mosaic tiles. Elsewhere you’ll find oversized eyes staring back from artwork, unexpected sculptures and little details that constantly remind you this is a boutique hotel with its own personality.
It does not feel themed. It feels collected.
As though somebody has spent years bringing home pieces they simply liked rather than trying to impress guests with expensive finishes. That relaxed confidence gives the hotel its character. We stayed at The New Yorker Miami immediately after our cruise, visiting from 29th January until 3rd February after unexpectedly extending our stay by one night when we missed our flight home.
Originally, we’d booked four nights in a Standard Queen Room through Booking.com for $474, before adding a fifth night for just over $100. Considering Miami’s accommodation prices, I thought that represented good value. Because we visited during January, the weather was noticeably cooler than many people associate with Miami. The pool looked beautiful, the fairy lights were on and the outdoor seating was waiting, but the hotel wasn’t quite operating at its full summer rhythm just yet. Even so, there was something rather nice about seeing the hotel in its quieter season. It suited the calm atmosphere we’d come looking for.
Location & Grounds
Although The New Yorker Miami sits on Biscayne Boulevard, it never felt consumed by it. Once inside, the road noise faded quickly and the hotel became surprisingly secluded. Mature palms, winding walkways and carefully positioned planting created the feeling of a hidden courtyard rather than somewhere on one of Miami’s main roads. Its location suited the way we like to travel.
We’re never going to spend all day in a hotel, nor were we looking to stay in the middle of South Beach. Instead, we wanted somewhere we could return to after a day of exploring, reset for a couple of hours and head back out again. That rhythm suited The New Yorker perfectly.
During our stay we drove to Key West, explored different neighbourhoods across Miami and still found ourselves looking forward to returning each evening. Rather than feeling like somewhere we simply slept, the hotel became part of the day itself.
We crossed the Julia Tuttle Causeway (I-195) more times than I could count, and I’d happily recommend doing the same. Seeing the Miami skyline appear across the water—especially once the city lights came on became part of the experience. Within a few minutes drive you’ll find cafés, restaurants, shopping plazas and, directly opposite the hotel, Legion Memorial Park.
South Beach is close enough to visit without committing yourself to the crowds from morning until night. For us, it struck a balance that can be surprisingly difficult to find.
The Room
Our Standard Queen Room wasn’t extravagant, nor did it need to be. Like much of the hotel, the room prioritised comfort over luxury and personality over perfection. The furniture itself was fairly simple, allowing the colour throughout the property to remain the focal point rather than competing with it. The bed was noticeably firm, which suited us well, and after long days exploring Miami we slept comfortably every night. The pillows were soft without losing their shape, the air conditioning worked exactly as it should and the combination of sheer blinds and heavier curtains did an excellent job of darkening the room.
Despite sitting on Biscayne Boulevard, nights were surprisingly quiet. The occasional rush of traffic became more noticeable during the morning as the surrounding businesses came to life, but it was never enough to disturb our sleep. Sometimes the best compliment you can give a hotel room is that you stop thinking about it altogether. Everything simply worked.
The Bathroom
The bathroom was probably my favourite room. The soft pink tiles immediately caught my attention and gave the space a little personality without feeling dated. Paired with the pebble-effect shower floor, it felt playful in a way that suited the rest of the hotel’s design. The shower itself had good pressure, plenty of hot and cold water and was exactly what you wanted after spending a full day out in the Florida heat. Counter space was limited, particularly if two people are getting ready at the same time, but it never became an inconvenience during our stay. Like the rest of the hotel, it felt well looked after.
Facilities
Complimentary parking was included throughout our stay, something that’s worth considering when comparing hotels across Miami. There was also a small continental breakfast available each morning in the lobby, offering pastries alongside a self-service coffee machine. We chose to explore local cafés instead, but for guests wanting something quick before heading out for the day, it was a convenient option. The television worked perfectly, Wi-Fi was reliable and extending our booking by an extra night was handled seamlessly, with our room access updated without any disruption. Individually, they’re small details. Together, they’re the reason the stay felt effortless.
Who Is This Hotel For?
The New Yorker Miami is for travellers who enjoy exploring during the day before returning somewhere quieter in the evening. Couples. Groups of friends. Road-trippers. Cruise passengers extending their holiday. People who don’t mind driving ten or fifteen minutes in exchange for somewhere with a little more personality. And, yes, people who enjoy documenting their travels too.
If you enjoy coming home from a trip with photographs you’ll actually want to keep, The New Yorker quietly gives you plenty to work with. Between the murals, hidden walkways, tropical planting and colourful corners, the hotel becomes more than somewhere to sleep—it becomes part of the experience itself. I could also imagine groups enjoying the property’s layout. With separate rooms opening onto shared outdoor spaces, it has a relaxed, almost villa-like atmosphere that would work particularly well during the summer months.
If, however, you’re looking to step straight outside into a long list of bars, restaurants and late-night entertainment, I’d probably recommend staying closer to South Beach or Downtown instead. Likewise, travellers expecting polished luxury or five-star indulgence may find The New Yorker a little too eccentric for their taste. That’s perfectly okay. Not every hotel has to be for everyone.
Check-in & Service
Official check-in begins at 4 p.m., but we arrived earlier after disembarking from our cruise. Thankfully, the reception team let us know our room would be ready shortly, and as soon as it was, we were able to head straight to it. It’s a small gesture. But after travelling all morning, it made a big difference. That first impression continued throughout our stay. When we unexpectedly missed our flight home and needed to extend our booking by one night, the hotel simply kept us in the same room. There was no unnecessary disruption, no packing everything back into suitcases, and even our room access was updated without fuss. As we hadn’t requested housekeeping, the whole process felt effortless. Sometimes good hospitality isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about removing friction before guests even realise it’s there.
A Business Owner’s Observation
One thing I notice whenever I stay somewhere is whether a hotel feels managed or merely owned. The New Yorker Miami felt managed. There always seemed to be someone quietly maintaining the property. Sweeping pathways, tidying the gardens, checking the outdoor furniture or taking care of the countless little jobs that Florida’s heat, humidity and frequent storms inevitably create. The impressive part wasn’t that this work was happening. It was that you barely noticed it. The gardens remained inviting, the walkways stayed immaculate and the outdoor spaces always felt ready to use. None of that maintenance ever collided with the peaceful atmosphere the hotel worked so hard to create. As a guest, you simply enjoyed the result.
Final Thoughts
The pool is one of the hotel’s visual centrepieces, which makes it slightly ridiculous that I stayed for five nights and never once got in. January mornings were cold, and most days we were too busy driving elsewhere. I did, however, spend time reading beside it, which may have suited the mood of the hotel better anyway. I understand seasonal hospitality.
Coming from a seaside town myself, so I know there are months when outdoor spaces simply cannot operate at full volume.
Still, it was a shame to see so much potential sitting quietly. The fairy lights were on, the palms were moving and the seating was there; I would have made the experience to order a drink and spend an evening outside.
That said, the hotel’s greatest strength isn’t simply its colourful design or carefully landscaped gardens. It’s the consistency with which both are maintained. Florida’s weather is demanding, particularly on outdoor furniture, planting and soft furnishings, yet the daily work required to keep the property looking cared for never intruded on the sense of relaxation. As a guest, you simply enjoyed the result.
The New Yorker Miami isn’t trying to be the most luxurious hotel in the city, nor is it trying to compete with the high-rise hotels overlooking South Beach. Instead, it offers something completely different: a colourful, characterful place to slow down. For us, it became somewhere we genuinely looked forward to returning to after a day of exploring. We’d spend hours driving across Miami, over the bridges, through different neighbourhoods and all the way to Key West, before finding ourselves back beneath the palms, ready to reset before doing it all again the next day.
Would I stay here again? Definitely. If I returned to Miami looking for an out-of-central-city hideaway, I wouldn’t hesitate. Next time, I’d book an upstairs room to experience the rooftop terrace, visit in the warmer months when the outdoor spaces are at their liveliest and finally make time to get into the pool. The New Yorker won’t be for everyone. If your perfect holiday revolves around luxury finishes, rooftop DJs and stepping straight from your hotel into the centre of Miami’s nightlife, you’ll probably be happier elsewhere. But if you appreciate thoughtful design, peaceful surroundings and a hotel with enough personality to become part of the trip rather than just somewhere to sleep, I think you’ll enjoy your stay here as much as we did. For $474 over four nights, with the option to extend our stay for just over $100, I thought it represented good value for money.
Hotels often compete by adding more. More amenities, more restaurants, more entertainment. The New Yorker quietly reminded me that looking after what you already have can be just as memorable.
★★★☆☆
Reviewed on Google
3 minutes
I had a few cheeky days in Miami and before travelling, researched the city’s most talked-about restaurants. The views from Rosa Sky stood out immediately, nestled among the high-rises… is there a better way to see Miami?
I booked the Sunday Soiree, reserving for sunset after seeing how beautiful the setting looks transitioning from golden hour into evening. The space lived up to expectations: aesthetically polished, luxurious, and thoughtfully designed. Outdoor fire towers, palm trees and floral accents set the mood while soft lounge seating and purple lighting set the ambience.
The food was a highlight of the evening. Dishes were well executed, visually considered, and clearly produced by a confident kitchen. Standouts included the Rosé Cakes. Sweet and crispy yet soft, layered with strawberry maple jam, topped with adorable rose chantilly scoops. The duck dumplings also impressed, as vibrant and full of flavour. The skirt steak tacos were easy to eat, and the chocolate dessert was rich, beautifully plated, and ideal for sharing.
Service, however, was inconsistent. We were initially served visibly dirty wine glasses and had to wait a notable amount of time for replacements, which impacted the flow of the evening. While staff were kind and welcoming overall, our table felt somewhat forgotten at times, which was disappointing given the standard set by the venue itself.
Rosa Sky is well suited to those seeking good food, atmosphere, and elevated city views. Despite the service shortcomings, I appreciated the vision and execution of the space, particularly from the kitchen. I would happily return here, with the hope that front-of-house service rises to match the high standards referenced throughout.
Surry Hills,
Australian Brunch & Speciality Coffee
3 minutes
Ranked among the Top 100 Coffee Shops in the World (2025) after a quick search for somewhere reliable, ten minutes later, I was there. And impressed. Tucked beneath palm trees in Little Haiti, Surry Hills has a calm, easy presence and doesn’t compete with the noise of Miami.
It’s bright, clean, and quietly confident. The space is well designed. Limewash green walls, natural stone surfaces, and golden timber beams create a soft, balanced environment. Seating shifts between low, relaxed chairs and shared tables, making it just as suited to a laptop morning as it is to catching up with friends, or stopping in after a workout. You sit back differently here. You stay longer.
I ordered the Eggs Benedict Croissant, and the food is where it delivers—soft-boiled eggs, turkey, spinach, dill, and a mint hollandaise with a subtle turmeric warmth, finished with asparagus. A simple concept, done properly. The croissant holds everything together beautifully; the flavours are clean and well considered without being overcomplicated. Iced vanilla lattes the first time, iced matcha the second—exactly what you’d expect from a speciality coffee spot in Miami.
A small detail that stood out was the presentation—a lime wedge dipped in black and white sesame seeds, adding a subtle vibrancy to the plate. Service felt natural and comfortable. Friendly, attentive, and never overbearing—sitting neatly between a relaxed café and a more considered dining experience. The crowd reflects that balance too; couples, small groups, and even dogs stretched out on the floor, adding to the homely feel. It’s the kind of place that adapts to how you want to use it.Prices sit around $30 per person for food and a drink, which feels fair for the quality.
The Verdict
Ranked among the Top 100 Coffee Shops in the World—not surprising. Surry Hills does exactly what it sets out to do, and does it well. It’s not overly showy, and it doesn’t need to be. Good coffee, consistent food, and a space designed with intention. Well suited to: casual brunches, working mornings & low-key dates.
I would return happily.
Ongoing. This is just the beginning.