Arrival/Check-In: After finishing meetings, I arrived at the hotel in the evening with dinner plans an hour away. The check-in line moved quickly — only about 15 minutes — which put my mind at ease. Washington Park Hotel consists of five buildings, so I followed the property map to the Taft Building, changed quickly and got ready for dinner.
The lobby appealed to me right away. Washington Park embraces an Art Deco aesthetic with gray tones and wood accents. A striking pool table sits in the space, which adds a relaxed, social vibe — perfect for a little friendly competition when time allows.
Guest Quarters: The room was well suited to a business traveler. An island near the entrance separated the restroom and shower area from the sleeping space. While that layout might sound unusual, it worked practically: the island along the wall provided multiple outlets where I could plug in a laptop, phone and tablet for work. A mini fridge and coffee machine near the window were convenient, and the room overlooked the pool area — though I didn’t have the time to swim on this trip.
Services/Amenities: After dinner I met a friend in the Kenmore Building at the Swizzle Bar, a Caribbean rum bar where we were welcomed by bartender Danilo Bozovik. Danilo mixes cocktails using a swizzle — a technique I hadn’t seen before — and his approach gives the bar a memorable character. The hotel also offers complimentary bicycle service with seven bikes available on a first-come, first-served basis, which is handy for leisure guests since parking in South Beach can be challenging.
Even though my stay at Washington Park Hotel lasted only two days, I was impressed. The room, service and location all delivered. The hotel’s layout — with multiple buildings and a map to navigate between them — isn’t typical, but it provides a pleasant change of pace. I would definitely stay here again.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
◆ Luxury bath products are provided by Beekman 1802.
◆ A Tuk Tuk shuttle service helps you get around town.
◆ Visit the Swizzle Bar for signature rum cocktails.
WASHINGTON PARK HOTEL SOUTH BEACH
1050 Washington Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
tel 305 421 6265
wphsouthbeach.com