The National Hotel Miami Beach Blends Art Deco Elegance, Oceanfront Luxury and a Staycation State of Mind.

June 8th – 11th, 2026

The National Hotel Miami Beach does not simply sit on Collins Avenue. It poses there.

With its Art Deco bones, palm-framed entrance and grown-up sense of glamour, the historic adults-only resort feels like the kind of South Beach escape that would know how to order a martini, wear linen without wrinkling and never raise its voice unless the piano man asked for requests.

Set in the heart of Miami Beach’s celebrated Art Deco District, The National carries a cinematic confidence that is hard to fake. It is elegant without being icy, stylish without being self-obsessed and historic without feeling like it belongs behind a velvet rope. This is not a hotel trying to look like every other polished resort on the block. It has a personality, and thankfully, it knows better than to sand it down.

Built in 1939 and designed by renowned architect Roy France, The National is one of those rare Miami Beach properties that still feels connected to the city’s golden era. The original spirit lingers in the architecture, terrazzo floors, vintage accents, framed photography and warm lighting that seems to glow a little softer once the sun goes down. The hotel feels curated rather than assembled, like each corner was given permission to have a little story of its own.

photo courtesy of the National Hotel

That sense of identity is no accident. During a conversation with Juan Quiroz, Director of Sales & Marketing, he explained that the property has been part of Miami Beach for 87 years and remains privately owned by the Ms. Delphine Dray and her family from France. He also shared that owner Delphine Dray stays personally involved in preserving the hotel’s look, feel and character. In a city where some hotels renovate themselves into glossy sameness, The National leans into what made it memorable in the first place.

That becomes clear the moment you step inside.

The lobby does not greet you with cold minimalism or a wall of beige pretending to be chic. Instead, it gives you mood. A grand piano anchors the lounge, chandeliers glow overhead, art fills the walls and the bar waits in the background like it has heard a few good secrets over the years. It feels less like a check-in area and more like the opening scene of a stylish Miami story, one where the soundtrack matters and nobody is in a rush to leave.

Then comes the adults-only magic.

The National is exclusively for guests 21 and over, which gives the property a calmer, more sophisticated rhythm in the middle of one of Florida’s most energetic neighborhoods. This is not “adults-only” in the nightclub sense. It is adults-only in the exhale sense. It is for lingering by the pool, sipping something cold, listening to live music, wandering back from Lincoln Road and remembering that vacation mode does not always require a wristband or a foam party.

photo courtesy of the National Hotel

The location helps make that balance work beautifully. Sitting at 1677 Collins Avenue, the hotel is close enough to South Beach’s greatest hits without tossing guests directly into the blender. The Fillmore Miami Beach, Lincoln Road, Española Way, Ocean Drive, shopping, nightlife and the beach are all within easy reach. You can step out for the buzz, then return to a property that feels like it has mastered the art of lowering the volume without killing the fun.

Of course, the showstopper is the pool.

At 205 feet, The National’s infinity-edge pool is the longest in Miami Beach, and it does not waste a single inch of drama. By day, it stretches like a liquid runway between palms, cabanas, lounge seating and crisp white architecture. The water catches the blue of the sky and the green of the landscaping, creating the kind of scene that makes even a quick walk past it feel like a resort commercial.

At night, it becomes something else entirely.

The pool glows in shades of teal and green, with string lights overhead and palm shadows draped across the water. It feels cinematic, almost mischievous, like South Beach dressed up for dinner and decided to keep the lights low. This is not the kind of pool you simply notice. It pulls you in. Even if you are only passing by after dinner, it practically dares you to pause for one more look.

The pool area also captures what makes the hotel work as a summer getaway. There are cabanas, lounge areas, Aqua Bar service and that easy indoor-outdoor flow Miami does so well when it is in the right hands. Add private beach access, and the day can move from coffee to pool, pool to cocktail, cocktail to ocean breeze, then back again without needing an itinerary complicated enough to require a spreadsheet.

The rooms continue the hotel’s blend of old-school character and modern comfort. Accommodations are spread across 137 guest rooms and suites, including 101 rooms in the iconic tower and 36 cabanas and suites. Inside, the design feels warm and personal, with wood floors, framed photography, leather seating, animal-print accents, sleek metallic side tables and soft lighting. It is polished, but not generic. You can tell the hotel would rather be remembered than simply approved.

The bed is crisp and inviting, the sitting area gives the room a residential ease and the windows bring in that unmistakable South Beach sense of place. Some rooms and suites offer extra space to settle in, with lounge seating, a couch, coffee table, dining nook by the window, television and playful design touches that give the room a bit of swagger. The Marshall-style amenity setup, music-inspired décor and retro details add a wink without turning the space into a theme park.

A welcome amenity of wine, fresh fruit, bottled waters and a personalized note added a gracious first impression, especially with the city views pouring through the windows. It was the kind of touch that feels small on paper but generous in the moment, which is often where hospitality either lives or quietly vanishes.

The bathroom is compact, clean and functional, with a walk-in shower, rainfall and handheld shower setup, wood vanity and refreshed tile. It is not trying to be a marble palace the size of a studio apartment, but it does what it needs to do with polish and comfort. In a hotel this rich in personality, even practicality gets to wear a nice shirt.

Service is another major part of The National’s identity. Quiroz spoke about the pride among the team and noted that some employees have been with the hotel for more than 20 years, including General Manager Yasser Mohammed, who has been with ownership for two decades. In hospitality, that kind of continuity can be felt. It shows up in the way a property runs, in the way people speak about it and in the way a hotel feels less like a transaction and more like a place with a pulse.

The National also rounds out the escape with the expected comforts of a higher-end stay. There is valet service, concierge assistance, bell service, poolside cabanas, Aqua Bar, lounge areas and the kind of full-property rhythm that allows guests to arrive, unpack and not worry about chasing down every detail themselves. Check-in begins at 4 p.m., while check-out is at 11 a.m., which gives the whole experience a clear weekend-getaway cadence.

Dining becomes another extension of The National’s personality through Mareva 1939, the hotel’s acclaimed Spanish restaurant.

Named after the year the historic property first opened its doors, Mareva feels perfectly at home within the hotel’s Art Deco surroundings. Like the rest of The National, it balances heritage and modernity without feeling forced. The atmosphere encourages guests to slow down, settle in and enjoy the evening rather than rush through it.

During our stay, we experienced portions of Mareva’s tasting menu, a thoughtfully curated journey through Spanish flavors and traditions. From beautifully prepared tapas and charcuterie to comforting rice dishes and elegant desserts, the experience reflected the same attention to detail found throughout the property.

photo courtesy of the National Hotel

Standout moments included a remarkably rich Roasted Bone Marrow, a memorable Sobrasada Toast inspired by the Spanish island of Mallorca and an Oxtail Paella that delivered a deeply satisfying finish to the savory courses. A glass of red sangria and a refreshing mint-garnished mocktail complemented the meal beautifully, adding to the restaurant’s relaxed and communal spirit.

What makes Mareva especially effective is how naturally it fits into the overall rhythm of the hotel. After a day spent lounging beside the iconic pool or strolling the beach, dinner feels less like another reservation and more like the continuation of a well-crafted getaway.

Much like The National itself, Mareva understands that some experiences are best enjoyed slowly.

Editor’s Note: Mareva 1939 deserves a spotlight of its own. For a complete look at the restaurant’s tasting menu, signature dishes and culinary philosophy, be sure to read our full standalone review HERE.

That matters because The National works best when viewed as a full escape, not just a place to sleep between South Beach plans.

The pieces all talk to each other. The Art Deco architecture, the glowing lounge, the long pool, the adults-only calm, the private beach, the live music, the thoughtful dining at Mareva 1939 and the walkable Collins Avenue location all build toward the same feeling. It is Miami Beach with polish. South Beach with a softer landing. A summer getaway that understands the difference between energy and noise.

The hotel also holds a 3 Green Keys certification from Green Key Global, recognizing its commitment to environmentally responsible operations. It is a welcome detail for travelers who want their getaway to feel indulgent without completely ignoring the world outside the cabana.

What makes The National especially appealing for South Florida locals is the way it turns a familiar destination into something that feels fresh again. Miami Beach may only be a drive away, but inside this property, the shift is immediate. Suddenly, the weekend has better lighting. The pool looks like a movie set. The lobby has a soundtrack. The room has personality. The city feels close, but not close enough to bother you.

For visitors, it offers a version of South Beach with more texture than the usual sun, scene and selfie routine. The National gives you the beach, the pool, the cocktails and the address, but it also gives you a sense of place. It knows its history, wears its glamour well and understands that sometimes the best kind of luxury is simply being somewhere that feels alive.

The National Hotel Miami Beach does not feel like it is trying to look new. It feels like it knows exactly what era it belongs to, then invites you to enjoy it with a cocktail, a palm shadow and nowhere urgent to be.