Rooted in Eastern values, EAST Miami flaunts modern architecture and sleek design all while providing poolside lounging, dining outlets and world-class service
We first experienced EAST hotels in Beijing, where we had an incredible time, inspired by flawless hospitality and design. Full of design surprises, modern comforts and the type of hospitality we look for - it’s good! So during our two-day layover in Miami, en route to Playa del Carmen, we knew we wanted a second taste of EAST and their newest US property.
EAST Miami is located in Brickell City Centre, a quick fifteen-minute drive from the airport, and conveniently close to Wynwood, the Design District, and South Beach. Our stay at EAST Miami was nothing short of fabulous, with glamour at every turn and service that made us feel right at home. From the dining venues, to the incredible rooftop bar (a rare find in Miami), to the careful details in our room, EAST was an amazing stop on our trip. I understand why they brand this property as a “lifestyle hotel” — it’s not a bad way to “live” in Miami!
EAST Hotels Miami Style
EAST Miami is the third addition to the EAST hotel group, and it’s brand new! Opening in May 2016, everything in the hotel felt spotless, pretty, and extremely modern. The hotel is similar in design to EAST Beijing, but facilitates a more modern and trendy vibe, with an emphasis on delicious culinary outlets. EAST Beijing felt geared towards a young business crowd, while the Miami property attracts a wider demographic, from the chic, vacationing crowd to suave business people. I loved how the hotel stays fairly consistent with their property in Beijing in terms of style, service, and amenities. They even have the same Appelles Apothecary bathroom products and toy dinosaur decorations!
When a hotel is considered a hot spot, the little details that make the property so remarkable can be overlooked or forgotten. This isn’t the case at EAST Miami whatsoever. Designed stylishly and cleverly by Arquitectonica, a Miami-based architecture firm, every detail at EAST Miami stands out. The design values an array of stylish components, like Feng Shui, crystal healing methods, and bio geometry all while keeping a minimalist vibe. The result is a diverse design scheme, involving bursts of colorful artwork and plenty of textural variation, like oak, stone, and tile. Every design element in the hotel comes together in a way that made us feel calm and relaxed during our entire stay.
Experiencing Miami Poolside
It was so hot and humid during our stay in Miami that being in air conditioning or poolside was a requirement! Luckily, EAST Miami has a huge outdoor space with several pools and a DJ area. You can enjoy the lap pool, spa pool, cold plunge, or hot tub! The pool is bordered with comfy chaise lounges and we were spoiled by poolside service — what an amazing way to beat the Florida heat!
EAST Miami has a state of the art fitness room open around the clock if you’re craving a workout. Although there is no spa, something tells me that the staff would easily arrange something if I had needed a manicure and pedicure or massage.
Over the Top Amenities
We stayed in a one bedroom Jr. Residence Suite at EAST Miami. The room is styled like a private apartment with all the necessary amenities and then some — we even had a washer and dryer! We also had a small kitchen, complete with a wine fridge and dishwasher, that we could have had stocked upon our arrival if we wanted. The suite was cozy and spacious, so it was perfect for both living and working. Just like the rest of the hotel, the style was sophisticated and chic, with fun furniture pieces, abstract art, and colorful pillows and rugs. Plus, the floor to ceiling windows didn’t hurt — we got to look out over all of Miami!
The service at EAST is some of the most memorable we’ve ever had. During our stay, I need laundry detergent and super glue (the strap on my shoe broke). After a quick call downstairs, the staff arrived at our door with detergent and glue! I found out later that they didn’t have these items on hand, but went next door and bought them for us. EAST doesn’t sweat the small stuff; they do exactly what it takes to make their guests feel comfortable and cared for.
“In addition to standard hotel rooms, EAST Miami offers larger resident apartments. If you find yourself in Miami for an extended business trip, it would be a phenomenal home away from home.”
A Focus on Food and Drink
EAST Miami has a lot to offer on a culinary front, from breakfast to dinner and everything in between. It was our first time in Miami, and since we were only in town for two nights we decided to have every meal at the hotel. Usually we hit the town for meals, but EAST had such a yummy variety that we simply had to try it all.
We had breakfast at their main restaurant, Quinto la Huella. They served an artisanal mixture of fruit, charcuterie, granolas, and bread. They also had a hearty a la carte menu for those who like to start their day with a big, hot breakfast. My favorite was the avocado toast! For lunch, we dined on pizza and salad poolside. Order the Pizza Bianca — it tastes even better with an ice-cold beer and your toes dipped in the pool!
We returned to Quinto La Huella for dinner, where we enjoyed dishes prepared with homage to Uruguayan cuisine and a unique fire cooking method using a wood parrilla. The restaurant also features a wood fire oven, sushi counter, and outdoor dining spaces. We ordered from the sushi bar and enjoyed every bite! The ingredients were simple but notably fresh.
One of our favorite parts of EAST Miami was their rooftop bar, Sugar, serving up craft cocktails and Asian tapas. For some reason, Miami is short on rooftop bars, so Sugar is an exciting addition to the city’s bar scene. Sugar hosted mostly locals and a few guests, mingling contentedly on the rooftop. Shhh… They also have a super secret bar up top that you can get invited to if you play your cards right.
A Perfect Layover
Alright, we admit it: we’re a little bit delicate. When it’s hot and humid outside, we like to soak up the A/C or hang near a body of water. Walking around and getting lost in Miami just wasn’t going to happen this time around. We did, however, chat with the concierge to see where the best (and close) sights were. Nearby is Wynwood, a neighborhood full of fascinating street art, so we braved the heat and it was so worth it! Artistic murals cover almost every wall in the neighborhood and you can check out Wynwood Walls, which is essentially an outdoor museum featuring select street art and more murals. You can also take a cab a short distance away to South Beach, if you’re a sea seeker.
With only two days on our itinerary, we were happy to meander around EAST Miami and lounge poolside. Next time, we’ll make sure to get out a little bit more, but for our time in Miami, staying at EAST was a vacation in itself!
For more information about EAST Miami, visit their website: