Is Miami calling your name? Kayak MB is Kayak’s first-ever stay experience. Located in the heart of vibrant Miami Beach, this historic Art Deco landmark has been reimagined into a 52 room boutique hotel, within walking distance to the beach.

A parking garage is opposite the hotel. Easy to access, and inexpensive in comparison to nearby street parking, electric chargers are also available for EV drivers.

First impressions matter, and this is certainly an area where Kayak MB has excelled. Entering the hotel, right away you’re greeted by a pleasant aroma, a signature scent identical to that of art-forward hospitality management brand Life House (of whom they’ve partnered with). Impeccably-designed, chic, boho-inspired furniture creates an effortless atmosphere, and an indoor-jungle of lush tropical plants contributes to a relaxing ambience.

A tech-savvy experience helps to craft a seamless check-in. Extending this approach throughout all aspects, guests are encouraged to download the mobile app for contactless check-in, to connect with concierge, view menus, and to make requests. For some, this could be cumbersome, however, with a target demographic skewing towards the young and creative, most should not have an issue here.

Called “cozy”, king rooms are small, but adequate. Cleanliness was not an issue, and there were no offensive odors present. Outfitted with bluetooth-enabled Marshall speakers, Revival New York linens, and handcrafted details, guest rooms are thoughtfully styled. Above the headboard is beautiful macrame wall-hanging. The sole source of natural light is a shuttered window, limiting the sunshine and cheerful aesthetic Miami is known for. For that reason, the hotel’s public areas feel much more impressive. You won’t find phones or microwaves in the room, however it does have a minibar as well as a Smart TV with access to Netflix and Apple TV.

The bathroom features a spacious walk-in shower with white tiled walls, and black and white tile flooring. Luxurious Le Labo bath amenities carry over the hotels signature scent. Missing from the bathroom is any sort of shelving. With only a small vanity and lack of counter space, it was difficult to store personal toiletries.

On the third floor is a rooftop lounge with a small corner pool (sized less for swimming, and more for a quick dip). Accented with greens, bring your own lunch and find a seat on the rattan furniture to enjoy your meal al fresco.

For incredible Middle-Eastern cuisine, make dinner reservations at Layla, Kayak MB’s on-site restaurant located on the first floor by the elevators. Casually elegant, this bar and restaurant is perfectly situated on the canalside terrace, where you’ll see fish jumping out of the water and orange iguanas scurrying up the trees. We recommend starting with Mezze to share — warm, freshly-made pita bread served with hummus (tahina, sumac, roasted garlic, topped with crispy chickpeas), the most flavorful babaganoush (roasted eggplant, tahina, smoked pimentos, and charred onion petals), and muhammara (wood roasted peppers, walnuts, pomegranate molasses). It was divine! The eggplant toast (sourdough, labneh, basil, Fresno chili pepper marmalade) is also a wonderful starter, though rich.

As with all hotels, prices range drastically depending on the time of year and proximity to weekends or holidays, but the value for what you receive is fair. Keeping in mind that this location is still new, opening only in April 2021, it’s understandable that there are still a few kinks that need adjusting. However, the impeccable design and unique concept of this boutique hotel is worth experiencing if you’re planning a trip to Miami Beach!