Sense Beach House

My friend and I checked in to Sense Beach House on a Friday, dropping off our bags before heading out for the afternoon/evening. Our rooms were not ready when we first arrived, but a front desk attendant was able to watch our bags for the duration of the day. Don’t enter expecting a formal front desk; the check-in attendant sits at a small desk and kindly handles requests in an attentive yet laid-back and low-key manner. There’s no official doorman, but there is valet service.

This 18-room boutique hotel immediately makes you feel like you’re in your own private beach house just one block from the famed South Beach. It’s unique and relaxed, and the décor reminded me of every shore house I’ve ever visited. Think starfish and seashells.

Enjoy the casual vibe at the casual hotel. I was in a blue room (the other option is the sand room). Done in calming hues reminiscent of the sea, my room featured two king-sized beds, a long desk/table hybrid with a minibar included and a flat-screen TV mounted above. The bathroom was large, with a stall shower, single sink and a generously sized counter. A tiny balcony opened to the outside but wasn’t large enough for sitting.

While my guestroom was comfortable and of a good size, I noticed tiny details here and there — like a crack in the bathroom countertop — that need to be attended to.

The rooftop Oasis is where my friend and I spent part of our Saturday afternoon, lounging poolside despite the sometimes ominous skies. It truly felt like our own beach house while we were up there, as no one else was enjoying the space. The Veranda offers an outdoor, garden-style space with large tables, and the Playroom offers table tennis, foosball and board games. We enjoyed a leisurely, late-morning brunch on Saturday morning at Local House Raw Bar & Grill. It was a gorgeous morning to sit outside and people-watch.

Sense Beach House is not the flashy opulence of typical South Beach luxury hotels — if that’s what you are after, look elsewhere. For a casual, feet-in-the-sand, homey beach experience, this is your spot, and you won’t be dissatisfied. It will deliver cozy comforts as promised.

Sense Beach House

400 Ocean Drive

Miami Beach, FL 33139

tel 305 538 5529