South Beach is always lively, and the Saturday night before Halloween with a full moon takes the energy up a notch. My boyfriend and I enjoyed front-row views of the action from our suite at one of South Beach’s most stylish boutique hotels.
© The Gabriel South Beach
The Gabriel South Beach, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, is a 132-room hotel situated on Ocean Drive in the heart of South Beach. The striking Art Deco building dates to 1937 and was designed by Henry Hohauser, the architect behind other local landmarks like The Essex Hotel and The Colony. The property originally opened as the Park Central Hotel, and preservation rules have kept the original exterior signage intact, which can be a bit confusing if you’re looking for a modern name from the street.
The hotel occupies four connected buildings and blends Mid-Century Modern interiors with South Florida accents. Art plays a central role throughout the property, from a dramatic 30-foot mural by street artist Mr. Brainwash—depicting a girl, a boy and a dog contemplating a graffiti-covered wall—to curated pieces across public spaces. The Gabriel also provides a complimentary shuttle to Wynwood, a hub for galleries and street art that hosts Art Basel and features attractions such as Wynwood Walls.
Rooms range from king accommodations to two-queen layouts, with views over the courtyard pool or the ocean. Many rooms include a lounge area or a terrace. All accommodations offer a mini-fridge, minibar, Illy espresso machine, Acqua di Parma bath amenities, a CHI Pro hair dryer, high-speed WiFi, two-hour beach cruiser rental, and two beach chairs with towels.
© The Gabriel South Beach
If you’re staying in South Beach, it’s worth treating yourself. We stayed in the King Oceanfront Loft Suite with terrace, a 396-square-foot space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a large balcony furnished for people-watching on Ocean Drive. From the terrace we watched palm trees sway and the Atlantic’s turquoise water. Mornings with coffee at sunrise and evenings with a bottle of champagne made the balcony one of our favorite spots in South Beach. The suite features a floating platform bed, white-washed oak floors, and a seating area with a sofa, table and chairs.
Meet Dalia is the hotel’s restaurant, led by chef Patrick Ochs and offering a Mediterranean-meets-tropical menu. The dining room mixes blue, pink and neutral tones, and there are outdoor tables on Ocean Drive for guests who enjoy watching the street scene and luxury cars glide by.
The cocktail list leans toward frozen and pool-style drinks, but there are standout options. Smoke Show combines tequila and mezcal with Cointreau, jalapeño black pepper syrup, calamansi, lime, orange and juniper bitters. The Purple Lady blends gin, peach liqueur, ginger syrup, lime and butterfly pea powder; the lime’s acidity shifts the drink’s color. The by-the-glass wine selection includes interesting choices like floral Moschofilero from Greece and a Tuscan Sangiovese.
© The Gabriel South Beach
Start with the oysters of the day, paired with ahi tuna tartare in an umami-rich soy marinade served over avocado and topped with crispy tortilla strips. Whole boneless branzino comes from the wood-fired grill with salsa verde and a choice of fries or beans and rice. A 14-ounce boneless ribeye is grilled churrasco-style, sliced and finished with chimichurri and a red wine herb jus. Desserts include tempting options like lemon curd with Greek yogurt mousse, meringue and an olive oil cookie.
To escape the Miami heat, the hotel offers two pools: a secluded courtyard pool and a dramatic rooftop pool with a glass bottom. The rooftop pool creates a striking visual as swimmers become part of the view from the floors below, reinforcing the hotel’s artistic, experiential vibe.
The Gabriel South Beach combines thoughtful historic preservation, curated art, comfortable rooms and lively dining—making it a memorable base for exploring South Beach’s beaches, nightlife and cultural scene.