Miami is loud. It’s flashy. Honestly, it’s often a bit much. But then there’s 1 Hotel South Beach, which somehow manages to feel like a giant, expensive deep breath in the middle of a neon-soaked hurricane. You’ve probably seen the photos—the reclaimed wood, the white linens, and that iconic rooftop pool that seems to drop straight into the Atlantic. But what’s it actually like to drop four figures a night there?
People call it "eco-luxury." That sounds like a marketing buzzword, and yeah, it kinda is. But 1 Hotel Miami actually puts its money where its mouth is. You won't find plastic water bottles. There are tiny sand timers in the showers to remind you not to waste water, which is a bit guilt-trippy when you’re on vacation, but it’s a vibe.
The Reality of 1 Hotel South Beach Design
Walking into the lobby feels less like a hotel and more like a high-end driftwood forest. It’s huge. The ceilings are soaring, and the air smells like their signature "Kindling" scent—think cedarwood and sandalwood. It’s intoxicating.
Most Miami hotels go for Art Deco or ultra-modern glass. 1 Hotel South Beach went a different way. They used 800 tons of salvaged wood. It’s everywhere. It’s on the walls, it’s the bed frames, it’s even the "Do Not Disturb" signs, which are literally just smooth stones you place outside your door. It’s tactile. You want to touch everything.
The rooms are massive by South Beach standards. Even the entry-level King rooms give you enough space to actually move around without tripping over your suitcase. The beds are organic cotton, and the filtered water taps in every room are a legitimate game-changer. No more $12 Evian bottles from the minibar.
That Rooftop Pool and the Social Hierarchy
Let’s talk about the rooftop. It’s arguably the most famous pool in Florida.
If you want a chair at the 1 Rooftop on a Saturday, you better be there by 10:00 AM or be prepared to sell a kidney for a cabana. It’s a scene. You’ll see influencers, European families, and tech bros all coexisting in a weirdly silent competition of who looks the most relaxed. The view is unbeatable. You’re seventeen stories up, looking north toward Bal Harbour and south toward the pier.
But here’s the thing: it can be pretentious. If you aren't dressed in "quiet luxury" linen, you might feel a little out of place.
The ground-level pools are better for actual swimming. There are four pools in total. The "Center Pool" is the biggest, and it’s where you go if you actually want to hang out with friends and maybe have a few margaritas without feeling like you’re in a library.
Dining: Beyond the Kale Salads
You’d expect a place this green to only serve wheatgrass shots. Not really.
- Habitual: This is the main restaurant. The food is focused on local Florida produce. Think fresh snapper and heirloom tomatoes. It’s pricey, but the quality is there.
- Watr: Located on the rooftop. It’s Japanese-Peruvian fusion. The sushi is surprisingly great for a rooftop bar, though you’re definitely paying a "view tax" on every roll.
- Drift: The lobby bar. It’s the best place for people-watching.
One thing people often miss is the "Good Edit" shop. It’s not your typical hotel gift shop selling overpriced sunscreen and magnets. It’s a curated boutique with $200 sustainable swimsuits and $80 candles. It’s aspirational.
The Service: Is It Actually Good?
Service in Miami is notoriously hit-or-miss. Usually, it’s a miss. At 1 Hotel South Beach, it’s a bit different. They call their staff "members of the field."
It’s less formal. They aren't wearing stiff suits; they’re in casual, earth-toned uniforms. Generally, they’re incredibly attentive, but when the hotel is at 100% capacity during Art Basel or a holiday weekend, things can slow down. You might wait twenty minutes for a valet. You might have to call twice for extra towels. That’s just the reality of a 400-plus room resort.
Sustainability or Greenwashing?
This is the big question. Every hotel claims to be green now because it’s good for business.
1 Hotel South Beach does things that most big chains won't. They have a fleet of electric Audi e-trons for guest use within a certain radius. They use a state-of-the-art HVAC system that cuts energy use significantly. They don't use paper menus—everything is on an app or a chalkboard.
Is it perfect? No. It’s still a massive luxury hotel that goes through an insane amount of laundry and electricity. But compared to the hotel next door? They’re lightyears ahead.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Location
The hotel sits at 23rd and Collins. People think that’s "too far north."
It’s actually the sweet spot.
You’re close enough to the chaos of Ocean Drive that a $10 Uber gets you there, but you’re far enough away that you don't hear the bass from the clubs at 3:00 AM. You have direct beach access. The beach club at 1 Hotel is massive, with dedicated loungers and umbrellas. The sand there is wider than it is further south. It feels more private, even though all beaches in Miami are technically public.
The Bamford Wellness Spa
If you’re staying here, you’re probably into wellness. The spa is by Carole Bamford, a big deal in the UK.
It’s not cheap. A massage will run you well over $200 once you factor in the automatic gratuity. But the "Haybarn" aesthetic is incredibly calming. They use geranium and lavender oils that actually make you forget you're in one of the busiest cities in America. If you don't want to drop the cash on a treatment, the gym (Anatomy) is one of the best hotel gyms in the country. It’s not just a treadmill and some rusty weights; it’s a legitimate training facility.
Is it worth the money?
Look, 1 Hotel Miami isn't for everyone. If you want a budget-friendly stay, look elsewhere. If you want a party hotel where people are doing shots in the lobby, go to the Clevelander.
You pay for the atmosphere. You pay for the fact that you can walk around barefoot and nobody looks at you weird. You pay for the smell of that lobby and the feeling of the organic sheets.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
- Skip the valet if you can. Parking is upwards of $50-$70 a night. If you’re just staying local, use their house car service (the Audi e-trons) for short trips or just use rideshares.
- Request a high floor. The lower floors can get some street noise from Collins Avenue. The higher you go, the better the ocean breeze and the quieter the room.
- Use the app. You can message the front desk for anything—ice, towels, late checkout. They’re usually faster on the app than they are on the phone.
- Hit the rooftop at sunset. Even if you aren't swimming, go up for a drink. The sun sets over the bay (the city side), and the light hitting the ocean is incredible.
- Explore the "Seed" program. They often have pop-up yoga classes or workshops on the beach. Most guests ignore the flyers, but these are usually included in your resort fee, so you might as well use them.
The 1 Hotel brand has expanded to New York, Hanalei Bay, and London, but the South Beach property remains the flagship for a reason. It captured a specific moment in travel where people started caring about where their furniture came from as much as the thread count of their sheets. It’s a massive operation that somehow feels personal. Just don't forget to tip the beach attendants; they work harder than anyone else on the property.