Life House, Little Havana

Out-of-town guests could be forgiven for believing that Miami Beach and Miami are one and the same. But if you never set foot on the mainland, you’ll miss out on Little Havana, one of Miami’s most unique neighborhoods. And that means missing out on Life House Little Havana, the first hotel from a hospitality startup (!) that aims to deliver a luxury-boutique experience at a price that its competitors can’t match.

Here they’ve given an existing hotel a contemporary-classic makeover, resulting in rooms that look a bit more like Hemingway’s Miami — dark wood and colonial atmosphere — than they do the fashion hotels of South Beach. Rooms come in king and queen sizes, as well as suites, including one with four capsule-style bunks, ideal for a traveling band or a group that doesn’t need much privacy.

As for public spaces, the garden courtyard is a splendid place for a drink, to say nothing of the rooftop bar and restaurant. And while staying in feels cozy enough, you’re encouraged to get out and experience Little Havana, the heart of Cuban culture in the United States; Life House’s staff are on hand with recommendations. The Life House ethos is one of travel as a transformative experience, which is a philosophy we’re more than a little bit partial to ourselves.